Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Seasonal effect on infants' sleep regulation: a preliminary study in a Mediterranean climate

Dina Cohen1, Osnat Atun-Einy, Anat Scher

  • 1Department of Counseling and Human Development, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. cohen.dini@gmail.com

Chronobiology International
|November 8, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Infant sleep patterns differ seasonally. Summer sleep onset is later with more nighttime movement and active sleep in Mediterranean infants compared to winter. Further research is needed across diverse climates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Chronobiology

Background:

  • Infants' sleep-wake cycles are complex, influenced by development, environment, and circadian rhythms.
  • Limited research exists on seasonal variations in infant sleep patterns.
  • Understanding these variations is crucial for infant health and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate seasonal differences in sleep schedule and quality in 7-month-old infants.
  • To compare infant sleep patterns during summer and winter months in a Mediterranean climate.

Main Methods:

  • A convenience sample of 34 healthy 7-month-old infants participated.
  • Sleep was objectively measured using actigraphy in the infants' home environment.
  • Data were collected and analyzed for summer and winter months.

Main Results:

  • Infants exhibited later sleep onset in summer compared to winter.
  • Increased motor activity during sleep was observed in summer months.
  • While overall sleep efficiency was similar, summer months showed a higher proportion of active sleep.

Conclusions:

  • Seasonal changes, particularly in a Mediterranean climate, can influence infant sleep timing and characteristics.
  • Circadian rhythms, environmental factors, and family routines likely contribute to these observed seasonal variations.
  • Further cross-cultural and longitudinal studies are recommended to explore these effects in different developmental stages and geographical locations.

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG08:20

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG

Published on: May 3, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses02:45

Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses

The circadian—or biological—clock is an intrinsic, timekeeping, molecular mechanism that allows plants to coordinate physiological activities over 24-hour cycles called circadian rhythms. Photoperiodism is a collective term for the biological responses of plants to variations in the relative lengths of dark and light periods. The period of light-exposure is called the photoperiod.
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation02:19

Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation

The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...