How much sleep does my child need ?
Kids do not need as much sleep as when they were babies. However you may be wondering the right amount of sleep they need each day. Every child is different. Some need more sleep, some need less. This is a general guideline on how much sleep children need over a 24 hour period.
| Age | Sleep needed per day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 4 months | 14 to 15 hours per day | including naps |
| 4 - 12 months | 14 to 15 hours per day | including naps |
| 1 - 3 years | 12 to 14 hours per day | including naps |
| 3 - 5 years | 10 to 13 hours a day | including naps |
| 6 - 12 years | 9 to 12 hours a day | |
| 13 to 18 years | 8 to 10 hours a day |
You have to know that children need a lot of sleep more than parents usually allow for. If a child doesnt want to take a nap or sleep before 10pm, parents often assume they just dont need much sleep. That is not the case. It actually means that such a child is sleep deprived , resulting in the hyper , overtired bedtime behavior.
Ask these questions if you think your child is sleep deprived.
- does my child frequently fall asleep while riding the car
- do i have to wake my child up almost every morning
- does my child feel , cranky overly tired during the day
If you answer yes to these , it may indicate that your child is not getting enough sleep as much as her body needs. You can change this pattern by helping her develop a good sleep habit.
- develop consistent bedtime routine
- set an appropriate bedtime
- stick to both every night
The amount of sleep the child needs gradually decreases as she gets older.
Content Sources
How much sleep do children need. WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/sleep-children#1. Accessed October 5, 2016
Each Hour Matters: How Much Children Should Sleep.Seattle Children Hospital. http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/page/3/ Accessed October 5, 2016