You know your child doesn’t sleep half as much as they did when they were smaller but how much sleep does a child need as the move towards the teenage years? Since each child has it’s own little personality and some need more sleep than others you probably have a rough guide yourself but here are some general guidelines of the amount of sleep needs over a 24 hour period :

Age Night time sleep Daytime sleep Average total sleep
2 years 10 to 12 hours 1 to 3 hours (1 nap) 11 to 14 hours
3 years 10 to 12 hours 1 to 3 hours (1 nap) 10 to 13 hours
4 years 10 to 13 hours 0 to 2.5 hours (1 or no nap) 10 to 13 hours
5 years 10 to 13 hours 0 to 2.5 hours (1 or no nap) 10 to 13 hours
6 years 9 to 11 hours none 9 to 11 hours
7 years 9 to 11 hours none 9 to 11 hours
8 years 9 to 11 hours none 9 to 11 hours
*Note: The two sets of numbers don’t always add up because children who take longer naps tend to sleep fewer hours at night and vice versa.

When kids refuse to go to sleep parents tend to think they are not tired but the opposite may be the case! IT is more likely that the child is actually sleep deprived, resulting in a hyper, overtired behaviour at bedtime.

If you think your child may be sleep deprived, ask yourself:

  • Does my child frequently fall asleep while riding in the car?
  • Do I have to wake him almost every morning?
  • Does he seem cranky, irritable, or overtired during the day?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child may not be getting as much sleep as his body needs.

The following tips may help you get your child off to a restful sleep :

  • Develop a bedtime routine and stick to it
  • Limit screen time an hour before they are due to go to bed
  • A bath or some warm milk may increase sleepiness
  • Give your child a light snack and a drink an hour before bed

Good luck 🙂