Sleep

How much sleep should your child be getting each night? and how important is sleep? I was reading an article in a kids magazine and it caught my eye. Especially as sleep can be such an elusive thing, in the early months and years!

How much sleep?

• Newborn   16.5 hours
• 12 months old  14 hours
• 2 years old  13 hours
• 5 years old  11 hours
• 10 years old  10 hours
• 16 years old  8.5 hours

You can see as your child gets older they need less sleep. Sleep requirements do differ from person to person. I am one of those people who like to have 12 hours! Others can survive on less than half that.

How important is sleep to your children? How much or how little sleep can have an effect on many things including school performance, behaviour and health. I know with my kids if they don't get enough sleep they become irritable, and become overtired. My boy is actually my best sleeper and I think its because he needs it to feel well. He has been unwell for a while with asthma and I have noticed that he will excuse himself to put himself to bed! He did that today. When he wakes tomorrow I am hoping he will be able to play with no problems. Sometimes sleep can make all the difference to his health. My girl on the other hand loves nothing better than staying up and reading or drawing before bed. We have to tell her its bedtime. Otherwise she gets up grumpy for school.

Tips for a good night's sleep

• Young children may benefit from a daytime nap - just don't make it too late in the afternoon.
• A routine before bed can help to relax and unwind
• Encourage good night time behaviour
• Be consistent with a night time routine and wake up time also
• Put your child to bed awake - this helps as I know with my boys who sleep better than my girl (who I settled to sleep as baby)
• If you need to tend to your child at night keep it boring! ie. feed without eye contact and keep lights low.

Hope this helps others as my kids are having sweet dreams so may you and yours.