How much sleep does your child need?
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, with the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsing it, says babies 4 to 12 months need 12 to 16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps. Children 1 to 2 years need 11 to 14 hours, and 3 to 5 years need 10 to 13. For babies under 4 months it gives no range.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Hours of sleep by age
| Age | Hours per 24 hours | Naps counted? |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4 months | No range given | Normal sleep varies too much |
| 4 to 12 months | 12 to 16 hours | Yes, naps count |
| 1 to 2 years | 11 to 14 hours | Yes, naps count |
| 3 to 5 years | 10 to 13 hours | Yes, naps count |
| 6 to 12 years | 9 to 12 hours | Total per 24 hours |
| 13 to 18 years | 8 to 10 hours | Total per 24 hours |
What do the numbers mean?
They are ranges for a regular day over time, not a target for every night. The panel that wrote them used a published method and reviewed the evidence on sleep and health; it says sleeping the recommended hours on a regular basis goes with better attention, behavior, learning and health.
Naps count toward the total for babies and toddlers. A baby who sleeps 11 hours one night and 14 the next is not off track by the clock.
Why is there no number for newborns?
The AASM left out babies under 4 months because of the wide range of normal variation in how long and how they sleep, and not enough evidence linking their sleep to health.
For a sense of what newborns do, the AAP's HealthyChildren.org says they sleep about 16 to 17 hours a day, but may sleep only 1 or 2 hours at a time. The NHS says total sleep can be around 18 hours. Both say it varies.
What if my child sleeps less, or more?
The AASM's advice is to talk with your child's health care provider if you are concerned that your child is sleeping too little or too much.
Call your pediatrician if…
Your pediatrician knows your child. Call them if you have a worry about how or how much your child sleeps. These pages from the AAP and the NHS can also help you decide what to ask:
Peabody editors write these pages from the sources below. We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice for your child.
Sources
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations (consensus statement, J Clin Sleep Med 2016; endorsed by the AAP) (checked October 29, 2026)
- AAP, HealthyChildren.org: Healthy Sleep Habits, How Many Hours Does Your Child Need? (checked October 29, 2026)
- AAP, HealthyChildren.org: Getting Your Baby to Sleep (checked October 29, 2026)
- NHS: Helping your baby to sleep (checked October 29, 2026)