hi,
how much a 6 months old baby should sleep. i heard that up to 3 years babys should sleep 18 hours a day and that much sleep is important for brain development. is it correct??

Soumya Hetal replied. the validity of the statement you asked dpends on type of sleep and babies own sleeping style/schedule..
all babies behave differntly and irrespective of sleeping hours,,the studies have shown babies who were able to sleep in deep sleep with less hours were healthier thn those sleeping for longer hours with light sleep !!
as far as your child is not looking tired,,even after a good sleep,,respect his sleeping habit !! dont make him sleep if he is happy and healthy baby,,esp after 6months,,its expectd that a baby should be able to sleep or have a deep sleep of atleast 12-18hours,,all dpending on how baby sleeping habits are...
brain development does depnd on resting period but it dpends more on baby own capabilities to cope up with rest thn just sleeping !! some babies are not in resting period even though they sleep !!!!!!!!!!
so, as far as your baby schedules are not overtiring him,,and he is playful,active and does not get tired in 1hour playtime or so,,its perfectly fine to respect his sleepng hours..
just make sure whnever he sleeps, he sleeps at rest and relaxed...avoid ne tension or excited environments to make him feel relaxed in sleep !!!
surprisng it sounds,,babies sleep in other room but when they hear fast music,,thr heartbeat try to synchronise with the beating music,,and when they wake up they still look tired !!!
so avoid such disturbances,,watever hours your baby sleeps,,make sure to let him rest and stay relaxed,,make sure he doesnot look tired,,and as far as he sleeps atleast upto 12-14hours upto 6months,,its perfectly fine !!
good luck,,,make it a concern to your dr when you feel that baby is not sleeping well or has changed his sleeping schedules all of sudden !!!!