Kids need a lot of sleep. Their brains and bodies are growing so much each and every day. It makes sense that they would need the rest. Unfortunately, there isn’t a hard and fast rule to tell you how much your child should be sleeping. The amount will vary depending on their age and personal needs. So, how much sleep do kids need?
How Much Sleep Do Kids Need?
If you are looking to find out whether or not your child is getting the approximate amount of sleep needed for their age, then there are several tools you can use. First, let’s have a look at the childhood sleep chart compiled by the National Sleep Foundation with the help of 18 experts from various, necessary disciplines.
- 0-3 months old: 14-17 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period
- 4-11 months old: 12-15 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period
- 1-2 years old: 11-14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period
- 3-5 years old: 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period
- 6-13 years old: 9-11 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period
Once your child is over the age of 13, they should do just fine with the recommended 8-9 hours of sleep. However, there may be times when they need more. Growth spurts and the hormonal changes that accompany puberty can really tucker a teen out. In fact, you have probably noticed that many of these recommendations overlap. That is because there will always be times when your child may need a little extra sleep.
Personalizing Your Child’s Sleep Goals
Of course, guidelines are just that. They’re based on general truths, which may not always apply to your child. If you are concerned that your child may not be getting enough sleep despite technically meeting the age-appropriate guidelines, there are a few tell-tale signs that might indicate pediatric sleep disorders in NYC. Symptoms may include:
- Difficulty waking up in the morning
- Napping outside of their normal routine
- Exhaustion
- Increased crankiness
- Increased hyperactivity
- Inability to focus (within developmental norms)
All of these, even hyperactivity, could point to the fact that your child is either having a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep. Given the importance of sleep to childhood development, it is vital to have the issue addressed as soon as possible.
Seeking Help for Pediatric Sleep Disorders
Pediatric sleep disorders are more common than you think, but they often go ignored. Fortunately, your sleep doctor in New York City specializes in providing targeted care for pediatric patients as young as one year old. If you need help giving your child the rest they deserve, then Dr. Shukla will do everything to make sure your child’s disorder is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Preparing for Your First Visit
You know your child better than anyone, so your doctor is going to need you to do some groundwork before your first appointment. Your child is far more likely to sleep normally in the comfortable setting of their own home, so you will need to write down anything that stands out to you. Use your baby monitor, if you still have it, or just take a while to watch your little one sleep.
Note any sleep disturbances you notice.
- Is your child snoring?
- Do they toss and turn a lot?
- Are they startling themselves awake?
- Are they struggling to fall to sleep?
- Do you hear any variations in their breathing?
These may seem like small things, but writing down your child’s symptoms will help your doctor to make their diagnosis. This efficiency will help fast-track the process so that your child can start using treatments to improve their sleep quality.
