Popular keywords

Kids and Sleep: Everything You Need To Know

Share

Fact checked

Reviewed by experts

Writers at Sleep Authority are supported by a research team conducting in-depth research about the topics. The editorial team reviews them for accuracy and facts to ensure the most authentic and accurate content is published. Sleep Authority does not offer any medical advice, and you should not rely solely on our content for your course of treatment. Consult your medical professional to discuss any health concerns, chronic conditions, treatment options, or diagnoses.

Updated

January 9, 2023

Quick read

5 mins to read

kid sleeping

List of Content

Adequate sleep may be a luxury for adults, but it’s non-negotiable for children. A whole night of sleep restores and rejuvenates the mind and body, allowing kids to become socially adjusted and emotionally stable. But on the other hand, lack of sleep can lead to poor attention span, low energy levels, behavioral issues, and academic struggles. 

If you’re struggling with the same, this article will help you untangle all your confusion around kids and sleep and provide some timeless tips on ensuring they get sufficient sleep. 

Why Is Sleep Important For Children

Sleep is essential for children to maintain their health because not getting enough sleep can hurt their growth in many ways. For example, they may become grumpy and irritable, struggle to concentrate or pay attention, and even start behaving in a disruptive or aggressive way. In the long term, lack of sleep can lead to problems with growth and development, weight gain, and poor mental health. 

How Many Hours of Sleep Does Your Child Need

Age Group Amount of Sleep Required
Infants (0–3 months) 14–17 hours, including naps
Infants (4–12 months) 12–16 hours, including naps
Toddlers (1–2 years) 11–14 hours, including naps
Preschool (3–5 years) 10–13 hours, including naps
School-age (6–13 years) 9–12 hours
Teens (14–17 years) 8–10 hours

If you’re wondering how many hours do kids sleep, it is necessary to note that it depends on their age. For example, if your infant is up to 3 months, they might need 14-17 hrs of sleep, including naps. However, if your infant is between 4–12 months, they might need 12-16 hrs of sleep, including nap time. The duration lies between 11-14 hrs for toddlers up to 2 years. 

For preschoolers between 3-5 years, the standard amount of sleep lies between 10-13 hrs, while for children between 6-13 years, it typically comes down to 9-12 hrs. However, teenagers between 14-17 years generally require 8-10 hrs of sleep daily

What Happens When Children Don't Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is vital for children’s physical and mental health. When children are indulged in bad sleeping habits, it can lead to physical health problems such as weight gain and hypertension

These problems can persist into adulthood. It can also lead to mental health problems, including poor concentration, irritability, moodiness, depression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. 

How Can I Tell if My Child Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep

A few key signs can help you tell if your child isn’t getting enough sleep. Firstly, note how often your child is yawning or complaining of being tired. Secondly, see if your child is having difficulty concentrating or focusing. Lastly, observe whether your child seems cranky more often than usual – this might mean they’re not getting enough rest.

Tips on How To Make Sure Your Child Gets a Full Night's Sleep

As a parent, you want your child to get the best possible night’s sleep. And to help make that happen, it’s essential to know how to ensure they get a full night’s sleep.

Let’s look at some proven tips for kids to sleep better – 

Make Sufficient Sleep a Family Priority

Many families find it difficult to make sufficient sleep a priority. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a regular bedtime routine as a family, stick to it, and create a calm and relaxing environment, especially in your child’s bedroom. 

Keep to a Regular Daily Routine

A regular daily routine can help your child wind down at the end of the day and relax into a healthy sleep. To do this, you can bathe them every night before bed.

Be Active During the Day

Your child must get some form of exercise. Exercise will help tire them out so they can sleep better at night. Take them for a walk in the morning or afternoon, or play with them outside. 

Monitor Screen Time

To ensure your child gets a healthy sleep, you should monitor their screen time in the hours leading up to bedtime. Try to limit their screen time to no more than 1-2 hours before bedtime. 

Create a Sleep-Supportive and Safe Bedroom and Home Environment

Creating a bedroom and home environment that promotes good sleep is as essential as any other factor. So, ensure the bedroom is dark, quiet, and relaxed so that the correlation between kids and sleep isn’t affected.

Realize That Teens Require More Sleep

Children around thirteen need approximately nine and a half hours of sleep every night. One way to help ensure your teen gets enough sleep is to create a bedtime routine by having them wind down for 30 minutes before bed.

Don’t Put Your Baby to Bed With a Bottle of Juice, Milk, or Formula

Babies need to be burped frequently when drinking a bottle. Therefore, you should avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of juice, milk, or formula. Doing so can cause tooth decay and contribute to obesity. 

Don’t Start Giving Solids Before About 6 Months of Age

It is essential to wait until your child is at least 6 months old before starting them on solid foods. It is necessary to ensure that their digestive system is mature enough to handle solid foods.

Avoid Overscheduling

Trying to pack your child’s schedule full of activities can be tempting, but it’s essential to avoid overscheduling. A tired child is more likely to have trouble falling asleep.

Learn to Recognize Sleep Problems

Most children will have the occasional sleepless night, but some may suffer from chronic sleep problems. Hence, parents need to learn to recognize the signs of sleep problems.

Talk to Your Child’s Teacher or Child Care Provider

It’s important to talk to your child’s teacher or childcare provider about their sleep habits. Ask about their nap, bedtime routine, and sleeping problems.

Talk to Your Child’s Pediatrician About Sleep

Talk to their pediatrician if you’re worried about your child’s sleep habits. They can help you determine if your child has a sleep disorder or not.

When to See a Doctor

If your child is having difficulty sleeping, it may be time to see a doctor. They may experience difficulty falling asleep due to potential medical conditions, medications, and circadian rhythm disorders. Consulting a sleep specialist can help identify the right cause and create a treatment plan.

Conclusion

Getting enough sleep is essential for kids of all ages – from newborns to teenagers. A good night’s sleep helps kids grow physically, emotionally, and mentally. Although every kid is different, following some helpful tips for kids to sleep better can help ensure your child gets the sleep they need. Talk to their pediatrician if you have concerns. 

FAQs

Most kids sleep well by the time they are about three years old. This is because they have usually developed a regular sleep schedule by then. 

Ensuring a regular bedtime routine and creating a relaxing environment in the bedroom can help them fall asleep at night.

There are three common sleep problems in early childhood: sleep onset association disorder, sleep apnea, and night terrors. 

There is no definitive answer to that. However, there is some evidence that suggests a correlation between the two. It’s important to note that these studies are simply correlational and do not necessarily mean that sleeping less causes kids to be shorter. 

Is this article helpful?
Disclaimer

This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional.  You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website.  Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency.  The contents of this website are provided “as-is”, Sleep Authority and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact using contact form to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.

More on

Disclaimer

www.sleepauthority.com is brought to you by Resident. Our company sells Nectar, DreamCloud, Awara, Level Sleep, and Home Well Designed. While we intend for this site to be an educational and useful resource for consumers interested in sleep-related topics, we also promote our family of brands – brands that we believe in – on this website. Where we have commissioned independent research and/or articles to support our content, we will state as such in the sub-heading of the article. Where we compare our brands and products against others, we will provide the review criteria as well as state our basis for choosing the “best” or “top” product in a link accompanying the comparison. Our aim is to assist consumers in choosing the best solution for getting restful and comfortable sleep and it is our belief that there is a Resident product that meets any sleeper’s needs.