-Children-1 to 2 years of age -should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours (including naps)
-Children -3 to 5 years of age- should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps)
-Children- 6 to 12 years of age -should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours
-Teenagers- 13 to 18 years of age- should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours
Sleeping the number of recommended hours on a regular basis is associated with better health outcomes including: improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.
Regularly sleeping fewer than the number of recommended hours is associated with attention, behavior, and learning problems. Insufficient sleep also increases the risk of accidents, injuries, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and depression. Insufficient sleep in teenagers is associated with increased risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts.
Regularly sleeping more than the recommended hours may be associated with adverse health outcomes such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and mental health problems.
Parents who are concerned that their child is sleeping too little or too much should consult their healthcare provider for evaluation of a possible sleep disorder.
