How long a child should sleep is one of the parents' greatest concerns, taking into account the importance of sleep for healthy development. A good rest is as important in childhood as eating a healthy diet or exercising.
The American Academy of Sleep, based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, has just published a guide in the scientific journal Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in which you have stipulated how many hours of sleep do children need according to their age, since they are born until they become teenagers.
Recommendations begin after four months, since before it is practically impossible to establish criteria in terms of sleep time. A newborn baby can get to sleep 20 hours a week of life and between 15 and 18 at six weeks.
While each child is a world and sleep patterns vary from one child to another, The hours of sleep a day recommended by the American Sleep Association, including naps are:
- Children from 4 to 12 months: 12-16 hours
- Children from 1 to 2 years: 11-14 hours
- 3 to 5 years: 10-13 hours
- 6 to 12 years: 9-12 hours
- 13 to 18 years: 8-10 hours
The benefits of a good rest
Sleeping the necessary hours has benefits at all levels, from physical to cognitive and emotional. A good sleep improves attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life and mental and physical health.
In contrast, insufficient sleep is associated, among other things, with poor school performance, an increase in injuries, hypertension, obesity and depression.
Some tips at bedtime
Having certain habits to go to sleep favors the night rest of the little ones. For example, set the same routine at regular times every day It is key to getting a restful sleep in the baby.
After dinner, a bath will help relax the baby, followed by gentle massages, for example. The environment also helps to relax the baby. A dim light and relaxing music, whether they sleep in their crib or practice the colecho predisposes to a good rest.
When they are older, we must not forget that routines remain important. Also, at bedtime, books are always better than screens. Electronic devices can alter the sleep of little ones.
