As you and your children are adjusting to your new school year schedules, it’s a great time to also consider your sleep schedules.
Getting enough sleep is something that makes an even bigger difference to your child than you might think. It’s as important to your child’s development and how they feel as nutrition and physical activity.
When children don’t get enough sleep, it affects their mood, their ability to concentrate and their ability to take in and remember new information. How much is enough?
Sleep needs vary from person to person, but there are some science-based guidelines supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics for how much sleep your child needs at different stages in their development.
- Infants 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period
- Toddlers 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours including naps
- Preschoolers 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours including naps
- Grade-schoolers 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
- Teens 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours
Forming good sleep habits while your children are young helps them learn and grow. It will benefit them in the short term – and long into their future!
While you’re helping your kids develop good sleep habits, remember to make getting enough sleep a priority for you, too. Kids aren’t the only ones who benefit from feeling well rested and ready for whatever comes your way.
Whether it’s sleep or another concern or anything else related to your child’s health, we’re here to help! To schedule an appointment in Pediatrics or Family Medicine, call Winona Health at 507.454.3650.
Kelli Ostermann, MD, Pediatrician, Winona Health
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