How much sleep do children need?

Parents are often concerned about the amount of sleep their child is getting. Many parents worry that their child not getting enough sleep, occasionally parents worry that their child is sleeping too much.

Parents concerns about the amount of time their child is sleeping are often dismissed with "some children need more sleep than others". Although this is true, many children do NOT get the amount of sleep than they need and this can negatively affect their behavior resulting in irritability, whining, crying, and clingy behavior. Feeding patterns and behavior can also be adversely affected by lack of sleep.

As a parent you already know if your child is getting enough sleep by his/her behavior. The chart provided here, which lists the AVERAGE number of hours of sleep for children of different ages, is provided as a guide only and is likely to comfirm what you already suspect.

Age
Total Hours of sleep in 24 hours
Approx hours of sleep
between nighttime feedings
Number of day-time naps
Total hours of daytime sleep
Newborn
16 – 20
2 - 4
6
8
1 month
15 – 18
3 - 4
5
7
3 months
15
6 - 8
4
4 - 5
6 months
14 ½
8 - 12
3
4
9 months
14
10 - 12
2
3
12 months
13 ¾
10 - 12
2
2½
18 months
13 ½
10 - 12
1 - 2
2¼
2 years
13
10 - 12
1
2
3 years
12
10 - 12
1
1½
4-5 years
11 ½
10 - 12
No nap

Are you still concerned about the amount of sleep your child is getting?

WE CAN HELP! A CONSULTATION at BabycareAdvice.com can provide you with individually specific advice to assist you to encourage your child to establish healthy sleep habits to get the amount of sleep he/she needs.

Written by Rowena Bennett
RN, RM, RPN, CHN, Grad Dip Health Promotion

Added June 2004.

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