How Much Sleep Do Kids Need?

By Gariane Gunter, M.D.

 Today’s kids are busier than ever! I often hear from parents that it is such a rush to fit everything in and still make it in bed on time.  I struggle with the same dilemma at my house and understand how difficult early bedtimes can be, however adequate sleep is so important for our kids physical and emotional health.  

The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Sleep provides some helpful guidelines regarding just how much sleep children need at different stages in their development. Keep in mind that these numbers reflect total sleep hours in a 24-hour period. So if your child still naps, you'll need to take that into account when you add up his typical sleep hours.    

Between Birth-Six Months, children need 16-20 hours

Between Six-Twelve Months, children need 14-15 hours

Between Ages 1-3, children need 10-13 hours

Between Ages 3-10, children need 10-12 hours

Between Ages 11-12, children need about 10 hours

Teenagers need about 9 hours of sleep per night

Kids need a lot of sleep, huh?!  Kids who are sleep deprived may display some difficult behaviors.  They may display frequent irritability, overreact emotionally, have difficulty concentrating, forget things easily, wake often during the night, and may even display hyperactive behaviors.

Helping your kids develop a bedtime routine and making it into bed early will allow infants to teens  to be their best self.  Sweet Dreams!