While the amount of sleep needed varies from person to person, some children and young people might need more or less; nonetheless, it is helpful to know the recommended amount of sleep for different ages. According to the National Health Service while there is no set amount of sleep that children of a particular age need, the recommended sleep hours put forward a guide that children should aim for. [1] Research shows that people with regular poor-quality sleep are at a high risk of developing serious health conditions. Sleep and especially good-quality sleep is just as important to children’s health and development and adult’s health and well-being as healthy eating and exercise[2].
Recommended sleep table for children aged 1 week – 16 years
| Age | Recommended amount of sleep |
| Baby 1 Week | Daytime: 8 hours, 30 minutes Night time: 8 hours, 30 minutes |
| Baby 4 weeks | Daytime: 6 to 7 hours Night time: 8 to 9 hours |
| Baby 3 Months | Daytime: 4 to 5 hours Night time: 10 to 11 hours |
| Baby 6 Months | Day time: 3 hours Night time: 11 hours |
| Baby 9 Months | Daytime: 2 hours, 30 minutes Night time: 11 hours |
| Child 12 Months | Daytime: 2 hours, 30 minutes Night time: 11 hours |
| Child 2 Years | Daytime: 1 hour, 30 minutes Night time: 11 hours, 30 Minutes |
| Child 3 Years | Daytime: 0 to 45 minutes Night time: 11 hours, 30 minutes to 12 hours |
| Child 4 Years | Night time 11 hours, 30 minutes |
| Child 5 Years | Night time: 11 hours |
| Child 6 Years | Night time 10 hours, 45 minutes |
| Child 7 Years | Night time: 10 hours, 30 minutes |
| Child 8 Years | Night time: 10 hours, 15 minutes |
| Child 9 Years | Night time: 10 hours |
| Child 10 Years | Night time: 9 hours, 45 minutes |
| Child 11 Years | Night time: 9 hours, 30 minutes |
| Child 12 Years | Night time: 9 hours, 15 minutes |
| Child 13 Years | Night time: 9 hours, 15 minutes |
| Child 14 Years | Night time: 9 hours |
| Child 15 Years | Night time: 9 hours |
| Child 16+ Years | Night time: 9 hours |
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References
[1] NHS, How Much Sleep Do Kids Need? Http://Www.Nhs.Uk/Livewell/Childrenssleep/Pages/Howmuchsleep.Aspx. (Accessed November 20, 2016)
National Sleep Foundation, How Much Sleep Do We Really Need, Https://Sleepfoundation.Org/How-Sleep-Works/How-Much-Sleep-Do-We-Really-Need/Page/0/2. (Accessed November 20, 2016)
The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Sleeping Well, Http://Www.Rcpsych.Ac.Uk/Healthadvice/Problemsdisorders/Sleepingwell.Aspx. (Accessed November 20, 2016)
NHS, Why Lack Of Sleep Is Bad For Your Health, Http://Www.Nhs.Uk/Livewell/Tiredness-And-Fatigue/Pages/Lack-Of-Sleep-Health-Risks.Aspx.
[2] NHS, Sleep and You, Https://Www.Nhs.Uk/Oneyou/Sleep#Sgspkxfqwqh57qxx.97. (Accessed November 20, 2016)
