Which of the following is NOT among the six infant states?

• A. Deep Sleep
• B. Nap Time
• C. Crying
• D. Feeding

Answer: (B)

Infant states are defined by the baby’s level of arousal and observable behavior, not by routines or labels. The six recognized states describe distinct patterns of activity and responsiveness: deep sleep, light sleep (active sleep), drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, and crying. Each state has characteristic cues that clinicians look for, such as eye movements, facial expression, and motor activity. Nap time is not a discrete state; it’s simply a period of rest. During a nap, the infant can be in any of the sleep-related states (deep or light sleep) or even shift between them. Because nap time doesn’t define a specific arousal/behavior pattern, it isn’t counted among the six states.