How Many Hours of Sleep Do People Need?
Sleep plays a role in many of the body's processes, such as restoring mental function and memory, yet some people seem to require less sleep than others. Although there are no absolutes, the amount of sleep a person needs primarily depends on his age.
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Infants (up to 6 months)
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Infants typically require as much as 16 hours of sleep per day, typically in three- to four-hour periods at a time.
6 to 12 Months
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Infants at this age might sleep as much as 11 hours a night with a three-hour nap during the day.
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Ages 1 to 3/ Preschoolers
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Toddlers can sleep up to 10 to 13 hours and might not require a nap during the day. If children experience a significant amount of crankiness, a nap might be in order. When teething begins, a toddler may have more difficulty sleeping.
Preschoolers generally require 10 to 12 hours a night.
School-Age Children and Pre-teens/Teenagers
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School-age children typically need about nine hours of sleep a night but might need slightly more.
While teenagers only require eight to nine and a half hours of sleep a night, many do not get the proper sleep they need. Because this can lead to memory problems and difficulty concentrating in school, parents should emphasize the importance of a good night's rest. Establishing a bedtime routine of going to bed and waking up the same time every day might prove helpful.
Adults
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Most adults require seven to eight hours of sleep per night and experience significant decrease in mental function if they sleep five hours or less a night.
Older Adults
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Although seniors might experience greater difficulty in falling or staying asleep at night, they tend to require the same amount of sleep per night as teenagers or adults. If seniors experience significant problems in falling asleep, a doctor should be consulted.
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