How much sleep does a child need? Sleep hours by age

Last reviewed 2026-09-24

How many hours should my child sleep?

Babies 4–12 months need 12–16 hours including naps, toddlers 11–14, pre-schoolers 10–13, school-age children 9–12 and teenagers 8–10 hours every 24 hours.

Recommended sleep by age

4–12 months	12–16 hours (including naps)
1–2 years	11–14 hours (including naps)
3–5 years	10–13 hours (including naps)
6–12 years	9–12 hours
13–18 years	8–10 hours

Example: a 7-year-old

A 7-year-old who wakes at 6:30 am for school should usually be asleep between 7:30 and 8:30 pm to get 10–11 hours.

A simple bedtime routine

Same bedtime and wake time every day, weekends within 1 hour.
Screens off at least 1 hour before bed; no devices in the bedroom.
Bath, brush teeth, story, lights out — in the same order each night.
Dark, cool, quiet room.

Signs your child isn't getting enough sleep

Hard to wake in the morning
Irritability or meltdowns
Poor concentration at school
Falling asleep in the car or during the day (after age 5)

When to see a paediatrician

Loud snoring or pauses in breathing
Frequent night waking beyond toddler years
Daytime sleepiness despite enough hours

Sources

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Always consult your child's doctor.

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