How Many Hours of Sleep Should Kids Get?
Other People Are Reading
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Sleep Varies by Age
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The amount of sleep a child needs varies according to age. Newborns and infants need 14 to 16 hours of sleep a day. Children between the ages of 1 and 6 need 10 to 14 hours of sleep a day. On average, adolescents and teens need eight to 11 hours of sleep a day.
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Children Rarely Get the Recommended Hours of Sleep
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Even though infants up to the age of 11 months should sleep at least 15 hours, they tend to sleep around 12 hours a day. Children between the ages of 1 and 6 should sleep a minimum of 14 hours; they generally sleep a maximum of 10 hours with naps throughout the day. Adolescents and teens normally get around nine hours. Social activities with peers and school can impair sleep time in teen years.
Bottom Line
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A child's amount of sleep varies and changes the older they get. Outside influences also affect the amount of sleep an adolescent receives every night. "Your child is unique," says Michael .J. Breus, PhD, MD. "If your routine is working, then it is probably best for you."
References
- Photo Credit sleeping boy image by Undy from Fotolia.com
