← All ArticlesHow Much Sleep Does Your Child Actually Need?
4 April 2026
## How Much Sleep Children Actually Need
| Age | Hours (including naps) |
|---|---|
| Newborn (0-3 months) | 14-17 hours |
| Infant (4-12 months) | 12-16 hours |
| Toddler (1-3 years) | 11-14 hours |
| Preschool (3-5 years) | 10-13 hours |
| School age (6-12 years) | 9-12 hours |
| Teenager (13-18 years) | 8-10 hours |
These are ranges, not targets. Some children naturally need more or less. The test isn't hours — it's whether your child wakes up rested and functions well during the day.
## Signs Your Child Isn't Getting Enough Sleep
- Difficulty waking up in the morning
- Falling asleep in the car on short trips
- Irritability and meltdowns (especially late afternoon)
- Difficulty concentrating at school
- Hyperactivity (sleep-deprived children often get more wired, not more tired)
- Frequent illness
- Craving sugary or high-carb foods
## Building a Bedtime Routine
A consistent bedtime routine is the single most effective sleep tool for children of any age. The routine signals the brain that sleep is coming.
**For ages 1-5:**
1. Bath or wash
2. Pajamas and teeth brushing
3. 2-3 stories or quiet songs
4. Lights out with a goodnight phrase
- Total: 20-30 minutes
- Same order, same time, every night
**For ages 6-12:**
1. Screens off 30-60 minutes before bed
2. Shower/bath and teeth
3. Reading in bed (their own book or read-aloud)
4. Brief chat about the day (optional but bonding)
5. Lights out
- Total: 30-45 minutes
**For teens:**
- Set a "devices out of bedroom" time (even if bedtime is flexible)
- Encourage a wind-down routine: reading, music, stretching
- Keep wake time consistent even on weekends (sleeping in until noon disrupts the circadian clock)
## Common Sleep Problems and Solutions
### "I'm not tired!" (Bedtime Resistance)
- The bedtime may be too early for their sleep drive. Try shifting it 15-30 minutes later.
- Make the pre-bed routine genuinely pleasant — not a battleground.
- Give limited choices: "Do you want the blue pajamas or the green ones?" (not "Do you want to go to bed?")
- Stay firm on the routine while being warm about it.
### Night Waking (Ages 1-5)
- Brief, boring comfort: "It's nighttime. Back to sleep." Minimal interaction, dim light, no play.
- A night light and a comfort object (stuffed animal, blanket) help many children self-settle.
- Check for environmental causes: room too hot/cold, noise, light from outside.
### Nightmares
- Comfort your child immediately. Stay until they're calm.
- Briefly discuss the dream in the morning.
- Persistent nightmares may indicate daytime stress — look for patterns.
### Night Terrors
- These look alarming but the child isn't awake. Don't try to wake them — it makes it worse.
- Stay nearby to ensure safety. The episode will pass in 5-15 minutes.
- The child won't remember it in the morning.
- Most common ages 3-8. Children outgrow them.
### Can't Fall Asleep (Older Children and Teens)
- Screen light suppresses melatonin. Devices out of the bedroom 30-60 minutes before bed is the most impactful single change.
- Anxiety is the number one cause of insomnia in school-age children. If your child lies awake worrying, address the anxiety directly.
- Caffeine in sodas, tea, and chocolate after 2pm can affect sleep.
## The Bedroom Environment
- **Dark**: Blackout curtains or blinds make a significant difference, especially in summer
- **Cool**: Slightly cool is better than warm for sleep quality
- **Quiet**: White noise machines help in noisy environments
- **No screens**: TV, tablet, and phone should not be in the bedroom at night
- **Comfortable**: A good mattress matters. Check that it's not too old or too small.
## Naps
- Most children drop their afternoon nap between ages 3-5
- If your child naps and then can't fall asleep at bedtime, the nap may be too long or too late
- On days without a nap, an earlier bedtime (30-60 minutes) prevents overtiredness meltdowns
## Weekend Sleep
Try to keep wake times within 1 hour of the weekday schedule. Sleeping in until noon on weekends creates "social jet lag" — it's like flying to a different time zone and back every week. This is especially relevant for teenagers.