How much sleep does my child need? A simple age-by-age guide
Mis à jour 22 juin 2026
"Is my child getting enough sleep?" is one of the most common questions parents ask — and the answer changes a lot as they grow.
Here's a simple age-by-age guide, plus how to tell whether your child is truly well-rested.
Sleep needs by age
These are rough daily totals, including naps:
• Babies (4–12 months): about 12–16 hours • Toddlers (1–2 years): about 11–14 hours • Preschoolers (3–5 years): about 10–13 hours • School age (6–12 years): about 9–12 hours
Every child sits somewhere within their range. These are guides, not exact targets to hit.
Signs your child needs more
An overtired child often seems wired rather than sleepy: crankier, clingier, harder to settle, and quick to melt down over small things.
Falling asleep the moment the car starts moving, or sleeping far later than usual when finally given the chance, can also point to a build-up of sleep debt.
The role of naps
Naps count toward the daily total and matter most in the early years. Most children drop to a single nap around 15–18 months and stop napping somewhere between three and five.
When night sleep suddenly suffers because a nap ran late or long, it's often a sign the nap schedule is ready to shift.
Building healthy sleep
The basics do most of the work: a consistent bedtime, a calm wind-down, a dark and cool room, and screens off before bed.
A predictable routine — bath, pyjamas, a story — is the single most reliable way to help a child both fall asleep and stay asleep.