Sleep Requirements by Age

Knowing sleep requirements by age can help you create a healthy daily routine for proper rest. People have different needs during different stages of life, making the subject a little complicated. It is important to consider general guidelines but it is necessary to discuss any concerns about sleeping patterns with a physician.

Newborns have unusual sleep patterns, averaging about 17 hours a day during the first four weeks of life. Each baby is different, and the duration of sleep can last a half hour or up to four consecutive hours.

Infants between the ages of one month and one year sleep roughly 14 to 16 hours per day. Some babies continue to wake during the night while others sleep through the night by the age of three or four months.

Toddlers typically sleep through the night and they often take naps during the day. Toddlers aged one to three years old sleep an average of 13 hours in a 24-hour period. It is important to note that the sleep requirements by age are estimates and your child may sleep a little more or a little less.

Many children who go to preschool at three years of age may not require naps anymore. Children between the ages of three and five years sleep about 12 hours per night.

Children between the ages of 5 and 12 require between 10 and 11 hours of sleep each night. Most do not take naps on a regular basis.

Teens are faced with many challenges when it comes to getting enough rest. Teenagers should try to get nine hours of sleep each night.

The average adult requires between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Many recommend eight hours of sleep to ensure optimal benefits. Getting fewer than seven can lead to a sleep debt.

Sleep requirements by age include the elderly as well. Seniors need roughly 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily, but many may sleep fewer hours through the night. Some seniors take short naps during the day as part of their routine to reach the daily sleep requirement.