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Children’s and teenager’s sleep patterns differ vastly from adults. Most parents can relate to the infancy three-o’clock wake up calls and the desire for tweens to sleep through late mornings on the weekends. Not only does the child’s biology change, but so does the sleep pattern. Find out what’s needed for each stage of the child’s life with this kid’s sleep guide below.
Circadian Rhythm Development
Every animal develops a circadian rhythm, which is a person’s sleep-wake cycle. This is affected from the release of light and dark from sky and weather patterns. The rhythm begins to develop around 6 weeks old. The rhythm is regulated and functioning by three months of age.
Sleep for Newborns
Sleep occurs around the clock with newborns with the interruptions to be fed or changed. Newborns sleep 10-18 hours per day. When awake, babies can stay alert for one to three hours at a time. To assist regulating sleep patterns, it is ideal to put babies to rest while showing signs of needing sleep (such as rubbing eyes) and playing and being more alert during the daytime hours. Thus, put the baby in the crib when drowsy, not fully asleep. Lying on the back sedates the nervous system, thus promoting rest.
Sleep for Infants
An infant age ranges between three to 11 months of age. Infants generally require nine to 12 hours of sleep during nighttime hours and may require 30-minute naps one to four times per day. Generally, the older the infant gets, the less naps they’ll need. During this age, it is ideal to establish bedtime hours and encourage children to fall asleep on their own.
Sleep for Toddlers
Toddlers are children aged between one to three years old. In a 24-hour day cycle, toddlers require 12-14 hours of sleep total. After one year, naps usually decrease to one per day. However, naps should not occur later in the day as it may disrupt nighttime sleep patterns. This is an ideal time to set bedtime limits or expectations. Children often experience nightmares during this age and parents should offer safety objects such as stuffed animals or blankets.
Sleep for Preschool Kids
Preschool children require 11 to 13 hours per sleep per day. Difficulty falling asleep may occur and parents should highly regulate the use of late-night technological device, which disrupts the circadian rhythm. Bedtime stories, instead of television, are ideal to promote relaxation and routine is critical during this age.
Sleep for School Aged Children
Kids between 5 and 12 are involved with many extra-circular activities and exposed to caffeine and television, all which may disrupt the sleep cycle. Inadequate sleep may result in mood swings, poor habits, ADHD, or other cognitive problems. Parents should keep technology out of the bedroom and keep the room cool, dark and quiet. Maintaining a regular bedtime is best ideal to avoid irregular patterns.
