How much sleep children need depends on their age. We recommend the NHS guidelines below.
In practice, you might find that what suits your child varies from this a little.
Younger children need more sleep.
Age | Daytime nap | At night |
1 week | 8 hours | 8 hours 30 minutes |
4 weeks | 6 to 7 hours | 8 to 9 hours |
3 months | 4 to 5 hours | 10 to 11 hours |
6 months | 3 hours | 11 hours |
9 months | 2 hours 30 minutes | 11 hours |
12 months | 2 hours 30 minutes | 11 hours |
2 years | 1 hour 30 minutes | 11 hours 30 minutes |
3 years | 0 – 45 mins | 11 hours 30 minutes – 12 hours |
4 years | – | 11 hours 30 minutes |
5 years | – | 11 hours |
The amount of sleep children need decreases as they get older.
Age | Recommended amount of sleep |
6 years | 10 hours 45 minutes |
7 years | 10 hours 30 minutes |
8 years | 10 hours 15 minutes |
9 years | 10 hours |
10 years | 9 hours 45 minutes |
11 years | 9 hours 30 minutes |
12 years | 9 hours 15 minutes |
13 years | 9 hours 15 minutes |
14-16 years | 9 hours |