Sleep. Glorious, glorious, sleep. We all know we need it (well, except nap-resisting toddlers). But how much do we need? And what about our kids?
The Centre for Disease Control has put together a handy little video to help parents ensure they are putting their little dreamers down at the right time, based on their ages and sleep needs. Whether you have a napping newborn, a tired toddler or school-aged sleepers in the house, rest assured you are giving them enough time to recharge their batteries.
Behold the guidelines to our family’s sleeping requirements that we should all take note of.
Newborns (0-3 months)
14-17 hours:
Not consecutively, of course. And often in increments of anywhere from 45 minutes to seven hours.
Infant (4-11 months)
12-15 hours:
Again, not consecutively, usually split into two-three naps plus a night sleep.
Toddler (1-2 years)
11-14 hours:
One nap and one nighttime sleep.
Preschool (3-5 years)
10-13 hours:
Some preschoolers still nap. Most will drop the daytime sleep before they start ‘big’ school.
School aged (6-13 years)
10-13 hours:
Bliss!
Teenagers (14-17 years)
8-10 hours:
But normally they trap themselves in their bedrooms for double this amount of time.
Of course, it’s not just the kiddies that need sleep. Parents need it too. In between getting up for the kids, struggling with stress and battling a partner who keeps stealing the sheets, it’s understandable that we struggle with sleep.
Here is a breakdown of sleep requirements for adults. Turns out, four hours of broken sleep a night is not enough…
Young adults (18-25 years)
7-9 hours:
And, as you may still be able to recall, at this stage you can also survive on nights without sleep and a diet of Red Bull and vodkas (and somehow still get up the next morning).
Adults (29-64 years)
7-9 hours:
Your sleep needs may remain the same as above, but your ability to survive on vodka has probably weakened immensely. Switch to coffee.
Older adults (65+)
7-8 hours:
Daytime sleeps during the day are just an added bonus.
