Children’s sleep is one of the main concerns of parents. It has been proven that the quality of sleep plays a determining role in health, so adopting good habits from a young age and getting enough sleep is a priority! But what are the sleep needs of children according to their age?
Sleep time according to children’s age
It is obvious that each individual is different and that sleep needs are not the same from one person to another and from one child to another. But on average over a 24 hour period (night + naps) the needs are as follows:
- From birth to 4 months: from 16 to 20 hours
- Between 4 and 12 months: from 12 to 16 hours
- Between 1 and 2 years: 11 to 14 hours
- Between 3 and 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
A 2 year old still needs to sleep long nights and sometimes one to two hours during the day, especially if he/she goes to kindergarten. Make sure that they take a nap just after lunch, as a nap too late could be detrimental to their falling asleep and sleeping through the night.
Preparing children for sleep
Children between 2 and 3 years old are often hyperactive after their school day, once they get home it is important to help them to lower the pressure by directing them towards calm activities (away from screens of course!) such as drawing or reading.
Create a calm and sleep-inducing environment in their room: tidy toys, dimmed lighting, nice bedding and soothing music. Get into the habit of spending a cocooning moment with a soft toy and apretty blanket to prepare him for sleep.
Adapt bedtime to the length of the nap and also to the time of waking up and keep this schedule to create a routine that will allow the child to find his bearings, because it is the time of the day when he is ready to go to sleep.it is the uncertainty that creates stress and irritation in the child, who will try to go to bed later every day if you are not strict about the schedule!
The consequences of a lack of sleep in children
Children’s sleep time must be scrupulously respected because a lack of sleep can be dramatic, it can lead to irritability, irritability and even aggressiveness. But lack of sleep can also cause learning problems, concentration problems and psychological disorders. It has been proven that children who sleep well are better able to manage their emotions.
A lack of sleep also leads to a decrease in the immune system, the child is more often ill, has difficulty in fully recovering and regularly relapses. Therefore, make sure to scrupulously respect the recommended sleep time and above all be regular in order to anchor good habits in your child.
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