How much sleep do children need, depending on their age

Sleep is one of the main concerns for parents during the first months of a baby's life, since rest hours directly affect the health of their children and their own. A baby's pleasant and uninterrupted sleep also influences the mood of parents, allowing them to have time to rest and recharge. But, how much sleep do children need?

The first months are the most challenging. The sleep rhythm of adults is abruptly disrupted by the needs of newborns, who wake up to eat every three or four hours, at best. However, as the baby gains weight and adjusts to their new environment, they start extending their periods of continuous sleep.

Although the initial period is the most difficult for parents, it is actually the time when babies need to sleep the most hours, even if not continuously.

Guidelines to know how much sleep children need

1. Up to 6 months. During this initial period, babies alternate sleep periods both during the day and at night, but the total should not be less than 16 to 18 hours.
2. Between 6 months and one year. Gradually, babies start concentrating longer sleep periods at night. From 6 months onwards, children usually sleep about 9 hours at night, with additional daytime naps totaling around 3 hours.
3. Between 1 and 3 years. At this age, children reduce nap times but compensate with more nighttime sleep. In total, they continue to sleep around 12 hours per day.
4. Between 3 and 6 years. Children gradually stop taking naps but still need between 10 and 12 hours of nighttime sleep to rest and allow their brains to process everything learned during the day.
5. Between 6 and 9 years. Sleep needs decrease, and at this age, approximately 10 consecutive hours of sleep are sufficient.
6. From 10 years onwards. At this age, children usually require about 9 hours of sleep, although it also depends on their daily physical activity and how tired they are when going to bed.

Children's sleep is crucial because it is the time when the body's relaxation allows the brain to process all the information received during the day and to store in memory the images and concepts acquired through learning.