How important is sleep?
Sleep is an important factor in all our lives. When we sleep, we rest and our body is able to renew its energy. It is quite natural that we spend a lot of time talking about how we have slept and whether our children have slept and how much.

Sleep is also important because of dreams. When we dream, we process all the events of daily life. Getting a good night's sleep, therefore, influences our psychological wellbeing.

Sleeping well is often a result of having good sleeping habits, which parents are responsible for teaching to their children.

How much sleep does a child need?
The child's sleeping pattern - whether or not it sleeps and for how long - affects the entire family. This is why good sleeping habits and rules about bedtime are important.

How much sleep each person needs is up to the individual and this article can only serve as a guide. If you have a very active child, who does not need much sleep, then that may not be a problem. Trying to change a child's sleep patterns to what somebody else claims is 'normal' will only cause trouble.

How much sleep does an infant need?
A newborn usually sleeps between 16 and 19 hours per day. They often wake up every two to three hours to eat. Since hunger will usually wake them up, they will not normally sleep for more than four or five hours at a time. Some babies sleep more than that, maybe for eight or 10 hours at a time. This is alright, provided the child is normal and healthy.

If, on the other hand, the child has special dietary needs - for example, it has lost weight or is not gaining enough weight - you may have to wake the baby up every two or three hours for a feed. Your doctor or health visitor will tell you what to do if this is the case.

How much sleep does a three-month-old baby need?
A three-month-old baby usually sleeps between 13 and 15 hours per day. Approximately five hours of this will be during the day and the rest at night. The baby may still wake up once or twice every night.

If the parents still have to nurse or change the baby at night, they should do it without making the child so excited that it can't go back to sleep.

When the baby wakes up, try to make them go back to sleep. If the duvet has been kicked off, put the cover back on and rub the baby's back gently, just to reassure them that you are there. This may be sufficient to send the baby back to sleep, so let a couple of minutes pass before doing anything else.

If it is necessary to feed or change the baby, do it quickly and quietly, without turning on the lights. Don't talk to the baby or play with them at this time. This will help to teach the child that nothing exciting happens during the night and that talking and playing only happen during the daytime. Parents have to teach this to their children. Babies don't care whether they sleep at night and stay awake during the day, or the other way around. It's up to parents to teach them which is better.

How much sleep does a child need between six and 12 months?
A child between six months and 12 months old will usually sleep between 12 and 14 hours per day.

If the child still wakes up at night, it is alright for parents to let five minutes pass before they try to make the child go back to sleep. Parents have to make sure, of course, that there is nothing wrong with the baby. In time, parents will learn to recognise the baby's different cries for when it is hungry, tired or in pain.

Rub the baby's back gently and speak to them softly to reassure them that you are there. At this age, the child might have a favourite soft toy or blanket, which it can snuggle up to at night. Such familiar things will make the child feel safe.

How much sleep does a child need between one and three years of age?
A child who is one to three years old usually sleeps between 10 and 12 hours per day. To prepare the child for bedtime and sleep, it's a good idea to have a pre-bedtime routine that, as far as possible, is always the same. This way, the child will know when it is time for bed.

For both the child and the parent, a routine that lasts about 15 to 30 minutes is useful. Play quietly with the child for about 15 minutes or read a book while you both listen to some soft music. Then tuck the child into bed with their blanket or teddy bear.

How much sleep does a pre-school child need?
A pre-school child usually sleeps between 10 and 12 hours every night. At this age, sleeping routines and bedtime have become familiar. Parents must be aware, though, that at this age children may suffer from nightmares. If the child wakes up crying because of a nightmare, they need comfort and security. Parents should go to the child's room, rub their back gently and speak softly. Do not ask the child about the dream. The child is often not fully awake and will go back to sleep faster if the parent just sits with them quietly. Usually, the child will not even remember the nightmare in the morning.

How much sleep does a schoolchild need?
A schoolchild usually needs to sleep about 10 hours every night. When deciding their bedtime, it is important to bear in mind what time the child has to go to school in the morning and how long it will take them to get ready and travel to school. This way, the child will get a good night's sleep and feel rested in the morning. If not, your child won't get the best out of school and every morning will be a hassle, trying to get a tired child out of bed. Parents must decide on a suitable bedtime for the child's sake.

What is a bedtime routine?
A bedtime routine is doing the same things, in the same order, at the same time every day, just before going to bed and to sleep.

An example of a routine:

let your child calm down by playing a quiet game together.

let your child choose what pyjamas or nightdress to wear.

listen to some soft music.

read or tell a story.

tuck your child in with its blanket, teddy bear or some other thing that makes them feel secure.

For both the child and the rest of the family, a routine that lasts about 15 to 30 minutes is best.

What if my child does not sleep as much as I think they should?
Use common sense. Take a look at the child. If the child looks rested and healthy and is developing normally, they are probably getting enough sleep. How much do other family members sleep? Longer than normal or less than normal? The need for sleep is often passed on from the parents.

If my child wakes up at night, should I let them cry themself back to sleep?
No. A crying child always needs to know that their parents are there. The child needs security. Rub your child's back gently, speak softly and tuck them in again. Do it several times, if necessary.

If a child cries, parents should always make sure that they are not sick or running a fever.

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