Sleep is an essential part of our daily routine. Without adequate sleep, our body may experience several issues that will eventually affect every aspect of our life. However, the amount of sleep that we need may vary significantly depending on our age.

In this article, we’ll discuss how much sleep your body needs according to your age.

Infants (0-3 months)

Infants require around 14-17 hours of sleep each day, with no less than 11 hours and no more than 19 hours.

Newborns usually can’t sleep for a long time without waking up, so they will need to sleep around the clock, with a total of 6-8 naps per day. Once they reach three months of age, they may start sleeping for longer periods at night, with shorter naps during the day.

Infants (4-11 months)

Infants in this age group need around 12-15 hours of sleep every day. They tend to sleep a bit longer at night, with fewer naps during the day.

This is the stage where you might start considering sleep training for your baby, so you may need to establish a regular sleep routine to help them develop good sleep habits.

Toddlers (1-2 years)

Toddlers require 11-14 hours of sleep each day, with no less than 9 hours and no more than 16 hours. They usually have a single nap during the day that lasts for around 1-3 hours.

It’s important to establish a regular bedtime with consistent routines, such as reading a book or singing a lullaby, to help them fall asleep better.

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Preschoolers need around 10-13 hours of sleep per day, with no less than 8 hours and no more than 14 hours. They usually have a single nap during the day that lasts for around 1-3 hours, but some children may stop napping altogether.

It’s important to help your child establish a regular sleep routine to make sure they get enough sleep even when they go to school.

Grade schoolers (6-13 years)

Grade schoolers need around 9-11 hours of sleep per day, although some may require up to 12 hours. They usually don’t need naps anymore, but they should establish a regular bedtime routine to help them fall asleep easier.

Limiting screen time before bed and having a quiet and peaceful bedroom can also help.

Teenagers (14-17 years)

Teenagers typically need around 8-10 hours of sleep per day, although some may require up to 11 hours. Due to school work, after-school activities, and social obligations, many teenagers experience sleep deprivation.

However, adequate sleep is crucial for their physical and mental health, so it’s important to encourage them to establish good sleep habits and prioritize sleep over other activities.

Adults (18-64 years)

Adults generally need around 7-9 hours of sleep per day, although some may require up to 10 hours or more.

Busy work schedules, family responsibilities, and other daily stressors may interfere with sleep, but it’s important to make sleep a priority to maintain good physical and mental health.

Elderly (65 years and older)

Elderly people need around 7-8 hours of sleep per day, although some may require less than that.

However, sleep patterns may change as we age, and it’s common for elderly people to take naps during the day and wake up more frequently throughout the night. It’s important to maintain good sleep hygiene and seek medical advice if sleep problems persist.

Conclusion

Sleep is an important factor in our physical and mental health, and the amount of sleep that we need may vary depending on our age.

By understanding how much sleep we need at different stages of life, we can establish good sleep habits and make sure we get the rest we need for optimal health.