• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Sleep Kid Mom Schedule

Why a Sleep Schedule is Important for Kids

Mar 12, 2021 |
By Jayesh Madrecha, DO
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Sleep is important for all of us, and kids are no exception. Sticking to a schedule and getting the proper amount of sleep can be difficult. Let’s look at how much sleep is needed, and how you can achieve that goal.

How much sleep do kids need?

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) provides helpful guidelines regarding how much sleep children need at different ages and stages in development. The numbers below reflect total sleep hours in a 24-hour period. If your child is still napping, take that into account when you add up their typical sleep hours.

Infants: 4 to 12 months – 12 to 16 hours (including naps)

Toddlers: 1 to 2 years – 11 to 14 hours (including naps)

Preschoolers: 3 to 5 years – 10 to 13 hours (including naps)

Grade-schoolers: 6 to 12 years – 9 to 12 hours

Teens: 13 to 18 years – 8 to 10 hours

Sleep varies from child to child, but elementary school children need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep every night. If a child is just starting school or switching from half days to full days, they may need more sleep or need an earlier bedtime. For children, sleep deprivation can cause behavioral problems, difficulty concentrating, irritability, headaches and mood changes. Set a wake-up time that allows your child enough time to get dressed and eat a healthy breakfast without having to rush out the door. Enforce a bedtime routine that allows your child to get an appropriate amount of sleep.

Starting a Sleep Routine

A summer sleep routine may be different from their sleep routine during the school year. Decide what their sleep schedule needs are for the school year and start adjusting their routine a few weeks before the first day of school. Keep adjusting their bedtime gradually until you’re at the desired schedule.

Maintaining a Sleep Routine

Here are a few tips and tricks to get your kids to stick to healthy sleeping habits:

  • Make sleeping a priority for the whole family. Educate your child on the importance of sleep and how it affects their health. Set an example by having the entire family, including yourself, prioritize sleep.
  • Set a daily routine! Having a consistent routine throughout the day helps your child feel comfortable and safe, which includes breakfast, dinner, playtime and bedtime.
  • Stay physically active during the day. Ensure your kids are getting enough physical activity during the day and avoid anything strenuous exercise after dinner.
  • Turn off all screens at least one hour before bedtime. It’s important to limit screen time. Take televisions, computers, tablets and other electronic devices out of your child’s bedroom.
  • Sleep environments are important! Make sure your child’s bedroom is cool, dark and quiet. Sounds machines also help with noise reduction. Minimize stuffed animals and toys that may be in your child’s bed. Too many distractions or brightness may make it feel like a place to play rather than sleep.
  • Regular sleep schedules and bedtime routines are so important. Stick with your child’s sleep schedule, even on weekends. Help your child relax before bed with a routine that lasts 30-45 minutes, giving them time to wind down. This can include brushing teeth, a bath, bedtime or reading time.

It’s important for children to get enough sleep. We know it can be difficult at times, but sleep helps them function and feel their best. Call your child’s doctor about their sleep habits and any trouble they may be having. Many problems are easily treated. Our physicians can also give suggestions for improving your child’s sleep habits.

Schedule an appointment with an Ochsner physician today.

Tags
sleep
sleepschedule

You may also be interested in:

Man sleeping sleep apnea
Conditions & Treatment
January 15, 2021

What is Sleep Apnea?

What if the loud snoring and restless nights are actually a sign of sleep apnea? Here is everything to know about this common condition.
By Victoria Brandt, NP
Gettyimages 1058385764
Prevention & Wellness
September 4, 2020

How to Practice Sleep Hygiene

What happens when you don't get a good night's sleep?
By Kate Lufkin, DSW, LCSW-BACS
Sleep Scaled
Health Trends
September 4, 2020

5 Tips To Help You Get More Sleep

A few things that you can do at home to help increase your sleep.
By Jeffrey Quach, Pharm. D

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide