Many parents I speak to underestimate how much sleep their child actually needs.
In fact, when I tell them the number of hours their children need, they are generally shocked :) When babies dont sleep adequately on a regular basis the impact of it shows up in various forms and in almost all aspects of life - affecting physical restoration, mood, appetite, learning capacity, immune function and so much more. Some of the impacts may be see the very same day and many progress over time and are noticed after several days or weeks.
Most sleep experts would agree on the following generally recommended number of hours of Total Sleep* (including naps) based on the age of the infants / children. These are just guidelines and your baby may do a little bit more or less on any given day and that is perfectly normal too.
0 - 3 Months:
16 - 19 hours combined through the day and night
3 - 6 Months:
13 – 15 hours (10 - 11 hours Night Sleep + 4 - 5 hours from 3 Naps)
6 - 12 Months:
12 - 14 hours (10 - 12 hours Night Sleep + 2 - 3 hours from 2 Naps)
12 - 18 Months:
12 - 14 hours (10 - 12 hours Night Sleep + 1.5 - 3 hours from 1 or 2 Naps)
18 Months - 3 Years
12 -13 hours (11 - 12 hours Night Sleep + 2 hour or lesser from 1 Nap)
3 - 5 Years:
10.5 - 12 hours (Naps are no longer required for most children.)
* "Total Sleep" is defined as Total Hours of Sleep which includes night and day time naps.
Many toddlers drop their daytime naps after 3 years of age. Even if they dont drop the nap it is important to ensure that they get the appropriate number of hours of sleep at night and dont delay bed time due to day time naps.
Naps and night sleep have their own distinct roles when it comes to your child's physicall, mental and emotional development. As you baby grows up into a toddler, the napping need slowly reduces and all sleep is done at night with some down time in the afternoon.
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