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 |
This advice was written by our experienced Parent Talk coaches. Parent Talk is a free online service for parents and carers, provided by the charity Action for Children. For more advice, message our parenting coaches with our online chat.
