How Much Sleep Do Children Need?

Getting the right amount of sleep improves a child's health, mood and school performance, but what is the right amount of sleep? Physicians provide guidelines, but each child's needs may vary. If children have difficulty getting up in the morning, are cranky all day or are inattentive in class, they may need more sleep.

Newborns

• According to the Texas Children's Hospital, newborn babies need 16 to 20 hours of sleep per day in 1- to 4-hour stretches. Newborns need equal amounts of sleep during the day and night.

Infants

• Infants from 4 to 6 months need 14 to 15 hours of sleep per day. Children age 6 months to 1 year need 13 to 14 hours of sleep per day.

Toddlers

• Children age 1 to 3 years need 12 hours of sleep per day. That sleep total will usually include a 1½- to 3½-hour nap.

Preschool

• Children in the preschool age range of 3 to 6 years need 11 to 12 hours of sleep per day. Some children in this age range will still take a nap, while others have given naps up.

Elementary School

• Children age 6 to 12 years need 10 to 11 hours of sleep per day. Parents may begin to notice a difference in how long children sleep on school nights versus non-school nights.

Adolescents

• Children age 12 years and older ideally will get 9 hours of sleep per day. As puberty hits, parents may see their children's sleep cycles change so they go to bed later and wake up earlier.