How old is your child? The amount of sleep they should be getting every day depends on their age.
To support their rapid mental and physical development, children and teens need significantly more sleep than adults. In fact, they require a certain amount of sleep that is essential to their proper development and well-being.
It’s crucial that kids get enough sleep; the effects of insufficient sleep can be damaging. Sleep is essential for rejuvenating cells, rebuilding muscle, and restoring the body. Sleep is the time our brains de-clutter and emotions are regulated. Enough sleep balances the hormones which help promote growth in children. It is through sleep that our immune systems are given a boost. And sufficient sleep is what protects mental health.
The amount of sleep children need varies based on their individual age and other factors. Here is a general guideline to how much sleep your kid should be getting:
| Age | Recommended |
| Newborns: 0-3 months
|
14 to 17 hours |
| Infants: 4-11 months
|
12 to 15 hours |
| Toddlers: 1-2 years
|
11 to 14 hours |
| Preschoolers: 3-5 years
|
10 to 13 hours |
| School-aged Children: 6-13 years
|
9 to 11 hours |
| Teenagers: 14-17 years
|
8 to 10 hours |
The sleeping habits of younger children are easier to manage for as long as you are strict with implementing bedtimes. Remove distractions like loud noises in the house such as music or the television. Make sure they have no access to gadgets.
Develop a post-bedtime routine by winding things down at least 30 minutes before their bedtime. Kids tend to fight bedtime because they are upset that they are missing out on something fun by going to bed early. By making the home less exciting before their bedtime, they’ll go to bed willingly.
Ensuring that older kids get enough sleep is more difficult, particularly if they are teenagers. If you suspect that they are sleep deprived, try talking to them and explaining the detrimental effects of inadequate sleep.