Some nights, it almost seems for certain that your child hasn’t slept a wink! From nightmares, to bouts of hyperactivity, it’s natural to wonder if your child is getting the necessary amount of sleep. Here are a few key facts about the necessary amount of sleep that your child needs to be both happy, and healthy!
The first key piece of information to keep in mind is the age of your child. Depending on how old your child is will determine how much sleep they need. There is no magic number that hits the bulls eye for every child, but there are projections based on general information about the best amount of sleep for each age group.
Newborn – 6 months
As newborns internal clocks are not fully developed as ours are, they may sleep up to 18 hours! After that, babies will sleep in spurts of usually between 3-5 hours, as their little tummies can only go that long between feedings. Between 3-6 months an infant will average 14 hours of sleep total, with 8-9 hours being during the night.
6 – 12 months
At 6 months, infants still require 14 hours of sleep, with between 2-3 naps a day; but likely will not need middle of the night feeding. If your infant wakes in the middle of the night and you feel it isn’t hunger related, wait a few moments before rising to see if they drift back off to sleep. This waking could just be due to restlessness, and will often pass.
Toddlers
Between the ages of 1-3, children will require approximately 12-14 hours of sleep. At this age, it is important to set firm and regular bed times. Creating a routine will help your child mentally prepare for bed, and actually help them in becoming sleepy at the appropriate time.
Ready to take the next steps in ensuring your child is achieving the maximum potential? Learn more about the integral role Childventures can play, here.