There are developmental changes in sleep patterns over our life span.
There is a gradual reduction in the amount of daily sleep from babies to older adults but considerable variation.
The sleep-wake pattern is circadian rhythm that needs to be reset every 24 hours and linked to a neuro-hormone, known as melatonin.
Sleep cycles through the night between the sleep stages of light and deep sleep (Non Rapid Eye Movement) and dream sleep (Rapid Eye Movement).
Lack of adequate sleep impacts on our emotional wellbeing, learning, behaviour, sensory processing and physical co-ordination.
There are many factors related to the child, family and environment that can impact on sleep.
