Sleep Needs By Age

Sleep is probably the most discussed aspect of baby care. As we mentioned in a previous post, sleep is essential for babies and children’s development. The quality and quantity of a child’s sleep has a direct impact in his growth, development, awareness, happiness and overall wellbeing.

Many of you have written us asking about how many hours of sleep children and babies need. This is a general guide, every child is different and certain developmental milestones and personal and family-related circumstances might influence the amount of sleep they need.

Age	Total Sleep Hours			Comments
	Day-Naps	Night	Total
0 – 1 Month	5 – 7	10 – 13	15 – 18	§   Preemies may need more sleep. §   Newborns usually wake up every 2.5 to 4 hours; since that’s the longest their tummies can go between feedings. Therefore, do not expect newborns to sleep those 10 hours straight at night. §   Newborns sleep most of the day, so ‘naps’ are not really so. They happen often and not necessarily at the same time every day.
2 – 4 Months	4 – 5	10 – 12	14 – 16	§   A more regular sleeping pattern usually emerges around the 2nd or 3rd month of life. §   The longest sleep periods are from 4 to 8 hours. §   Naps are usually 3 (morning, midday and afternoon). §   Between 3 and 4 months of age, formal sleep training can begin. §   Establishing healthy sleep habits is a primary goal during this time.
5 – 6 Months	4 – 5	10 – 12	14 – 16	§   The longest sleep periods could last 10 to 12 hours at night. §   Naps decrease from 3 to 2 and increase in length. §   Establishing healthy sleep habits is also a primary goal during this time.
7 – 9 Months	2 – 4	12 – 13	14 – 15	§   The longest sleep periods could last 10 to 12 hours at night. §   Naps are 2 per day.
9 – 12 Months	2 – 4	12 – 13	14 – 15	§   The longest sleep periods could last 10 to 12 hours at night. §   Naps are 2 per day, and one of them starts to shorten.
13 – 18 Months	2 – 3	11 – 12	13 – 14	§   Some children lose their morning nap during this period.
19 Months – 2 Years	2 – 3	10 – 12	12 – 14	§   Children lose their morning nap if they haven’t done so yet.
2 – 3 Years	0 – 2	11 – 13	11 – 13	§   Most children drop their final nap by the time they are 3 years old.
3 – 5 Years	0 – 1	11 – 12	11 – 12	§   Children usually transition from their cribs to a toddler bed at around 3 years old if they haven’t done so. Remember to be patient and know that some sleep re-training might be needed due to this change. §   Remember to maintain a clear bedtime routine.
5 – 11 Years	0	10 – 12	10 – 12	§   Children should continue with their healthy sleep habits. §   Bedtime routine has probably evolved, but must still be present; children still need a wind down time. §   Do not bring a TV into your children’s bedroom, do not allow them to fall asleep with the lights on, do not allow them to play with the computer right before bedtime.
12 – 18 Years	0	8 – 10	8 – 10	§   Sleep is as essential for teenagers as it was when they were children.

Sources: Smooth Parenting research and experience working with families; WebMD; American Association of Pediatrics; Gina Ford’s Books; Dr. Weissbluth’s Books.