Infant Sleep Requirements

I'm sure you already realise that it is essential that your infant gets plenty of sleep.  As well as for your own sanity, it has been shown in studies that children who do not get sufficient sleep do not tend to be as good at learning as those who do get sufficient sleep.  A lack of sleep at a very young age can also lead to behavioural problems as the child gets older. 

So, how long should your infant be sleeping?

Many experts disagree on the specific number of hours babies need to sleep, either during the night or in naps during the daytime.  However, it is possible to take an average of some of the expert's recommendations to give you a good idea of the number of hours your infant should be sleeping.

The number of hours of sleep can actually vary greatly from child to child.  Some infants may sleep for up to three hours more or less than the average figure and still be getting what is considered normal amounts of sleep.  If your child is sleeping for significantly more or significantly less than the average, it could be due to poor infant sleep habits. However, it would be wise to consult your doctor or paediatrician to put your mind at rest.

According to recent studies, infants sleep requirements at different ages are as follows:

For a baby less than one month old an average of eight or nine hours night's sleep should be expected.  Although these will not be consecutive hours due to your infants need for a feed every three to four hours at this age.  A further six to eight hours in naps during the day should also be expected.

At the age of three months, around 10 hours of sleep at night and naps of up to five hours in total should be expected.

At six months, an average of 10 hours a night's sleep should be expected, with up to four hours in naps.

At 12 months, a baby will normally average around 11 1/2 hours sleep at night, with typically 2 1/2 hours of naps during the day.

At two years of age, normal infants sleep requirements would be an average of the eleven hours sleep at night, with possibly just one nap of around an hour and a half during the day.

And at three years, a typical night's sleep would be an average of 11 hours, but by this stage daytime naps will very likely have reduced to just an hour or possibly right down to zero.