12/09/2013
Sleep guidelines for children
Along
with new research from University College London highlighting the importance of a regular bedtime for
children, research has long shown the negative
impact of inadequate sleep on cognitive, behavioural and emotional
functioning in children. But how much sleep do children really need for
optimal functioning? The National Sleep Foundation gives the following
guidelines:
Newborns (0-2 months): 12-18 hours
Infants (3-11 months): 14-15 hours
Toddlers (1-3 years): 12-14 hours
Pre-schoolers (3-5 years): 11-13 hours
School age children (5-10 years): 10-11 hours
Pre-teens/Teens (10-17 years): 8.5-9.25 hours
Adults: 7-9 hours
Good luck with factoring in some early bedtimes!