Kids and Sleep: How Many Hours of Sleep Do Infants, Toddlers, and School-Aged Children Need?

Kids and sleep are tricky topics and many questions inevitably arise. How many hours of sleep do children need? How long should my toddler rest? Thanks to studies and recommendations from doctors, there are answers to those questions of how much sleep infants, toddlers, and school-aged children need.

Related: Tips to Help Your Child Who Can’t Sleep

Thanks to a recent study regarding sleep, a joint publication of the Sleep Research Society and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, not getting enough sleep has detrimental effects that include compromising your immune system. The study found that participants, whose ages ranged from 18 to 55 years old, who were sleeping less were more likely to get a cold. Nearly 39 percent of those who slept six hours or less succumbed to the cold virus. Conversely, only 18% of those who slept more than six hours got colds.

Sleeping needs vary in specific age groups. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), using the help of panel of experts in various fields including: anatomy, physiology, pediatrics, neurology, gerontology, and gynecology also adjusted the amount of sleep children and adults need in 2015.

Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours each day
Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours
Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours
School age children (6-13): 9-11 hours
Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours

Related: Safe Sleep Practices to Remember for Your New Baby

It’s important to remember that these numbers are guidelines and your parental instinct matters as each child is different. If you have concerns, talk to your family doctor or pediatrician. Both sleeping too much and sleeping too little can be signs of a problem. They aren’t always necessary to worry or stress about, but it’s always good idea to ask your primary physician about sleep patterns that are healthy for you and your family.