The three stages of sleep in infants are ________________________.

In infants, the stages of sleep are classified as active sleep, indeterminate sleep, and quiet sleep. Active sleep corresponds to what is often considered REM sleep, characterized by rapid eye movement and increased brain activity, where dreaming may occur. Quiet sleep is analogous to non-REM sleep, featuring deeper, restorative phases without eye movements. Indeterminate sleep is a unique category in infants that reflects transitional phases between active and quiet sleep, during which the characteristics are not definitively aligned with either of the established stages.

This classification is important because infant sleep patterns and stages differ significantly from those of older children and adults. Understanding these stages helps caregivers recognize normal sleep behavior in infants, which is crucial for their development and well-being. It also plays a role in identifying sleep-related issues or concerns that may require further evaluation.