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Sleep: Helping Your Children—and Yourself—Sleep Well

Table of Contents


Overview

Children need about 9 to 14 hours of sleep each night, depending on their age. Teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night.1

A good night's sleep helps your child to grow, to form memories, and to learn. Sleep helps your child stay alert and focused at school and at play.

If you or your child often has trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, talk with the doctor. The doctor can check for any health problems that may be affecting your sleep or your child's sleep.

And you can take steps at home to set a consistent bedtime routine.


How can you help your children and yourself sleep well?

Helping your baby sleep well

Here are some steps you can take to help your baby sleep well.

Helping your child sleep well

You can help your child sleep well by having a comforting bedtime routine and consistent bedtimes.

Helping your teen sleep well

You can help your teen sleep well by encouraging a calming bedtime routine and consistent bedtimes.

Helping yourself sleep well

Sometimes, things that you do during the day can make it hard to sleep later. Here are some things to try to help avoid trouble sleeping.


References

Citations

  1. Paruthi S, et al. (2016). Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: A consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 12(6): 785–786. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.5866. Accessed August 16, 2021.

Credits for Sleep: Helping Your Children—and Yourself—Sleep Well

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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