Children must first learn to develop a sensible sleep pattern and good sleeping habits. Parents can support them and benefit themselves in the process – after all, a child’s sleep rhythm also influences the parents’ sleep and thus the family atmosphere as a whole. Fixed habits and relatively rigid bedtimes are therefore important.
How much or how little a child sleeps varies from child to child. Just as with adults, there are also “short sleepers” and “long sleepers” among the little ones. Many parents find it particularly stressful when their child falls into the first group, i.e. has a rather low sleep requirement. But whether short or long sleepers, don’t try to change your child’s sleep stages at any cost. There are indeed data on sleep requirements at different ages (see below). But these are only to be understood as guidelines!
How much sleep does an infant need?
In the first three months of life, infants spend an average of 16 to 18 hours (out of 24 hours) sleeping. However, there are babies who get by on twelve hours and others who nap up to 20 hours a day. Everything is fine as long as an infant develops normally, gains weight normally and is otherwise active.
How much sleep does a three-month-old toddler need?
At around three months of age, the average daily sleep duration is about 14.5 hours. Waking up several times during the night is normal in the first months of life – infants need one or more meals and a fresh diaper at night. Feed and change your child at night with as little fuss as possible, for example with little light and no noise. This will make it easier for your child to continue sleeping afterwards.
For this reason, you should also not play with your baby or talk to him too much during a nighttime feeding or diaper change. In this way, your baby will learn that nighttime is bedtime. It will remember that it is boring at night and that play is only during the day.
Note: The advice given here applies only to healthy babies. A sick child or a child with a fever needs immediate care when he wakes up.
How much sleep does a six to twelve month old need?
From six to twelve months of age, the average amount of sleep is about 14 hours out of 24. After six months, a baby can theoretically go without nighttime meals. Many children of this age actually sleep through, i.e. at least six to eight hours at a stretch – so with a bedtime of 7 p.m., the offspring will wake up again around three in the morning.
For children of this age, a cuddly toy or a cuddly pillow is also useful. It gives him a sense of security when he wakes up at night.
How much sleep does a one- to five-year-old child need?
As children get older, their average sleep time decreases. For example, offspring as young as 18 months average about 13.5 hours of sleep per 24 hours. By age three, that decreases to an average of 12.5 hours. Finally, five-year-olds get by on an average of 11.5 hours of sleep.
The period from the 3rd birthday until school enrollment at age six is known as the preschool age. By this stage, children’s sleep habits are often well established. Remember that children often have nightmares at this age. If your child wakes up at night and cries, he needs comfort and security. Gently pet him or her and whisper a few soothing words. Also, don’t ask your child about his dream if he’s not really awake – usually children don’t wake up properly after a nightmare and quickly fall back to sleep. The next morning, they usually don’t even know they were dreaming.
