| |
Sleeping Habits - - How do your children sleep at night.
To the right is a chart of sleep practices and tips for children of all ages to help you see how much sleep your child needs and how to get them into bed easier at night.
Sleep is a vital need, essential to a child’s health and growth. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. That is why it is important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits. So, how do you fight that nightly bedtime fight with your child?The #1 tip for good sleeping habits in children is to follow a nightly routine. A bedtime ritual makes it easier for your child to relax, fall asleep and sleep through the night. A typical routine at bedtime can be for your child to have a light snack, take a bath, put on pajamas, brush their teeth, and read them a story. Make sure the room is quiet and at a comfortable room temperature, then put your child to bed say goodnight and leave the room. It is important to make the bedtime at the same time every night and to make it a positive and relaxing experience. Encourage your child to fall asleep on their own, which will help them from positive associations with sleeping. It is also important to discourage them from getting out of their beds at night when they wake up.
Of course, there are several sleep disorders, that prevent this from happening,
but it is important that your child learn that being in a bed by themselves and self soothing are friendly and not scary.
| Age | Amount of
Sleep Needed | Characteristics
of Sleep | Sleep Developmental
Milestones | Newborns
(0 - 2 Months) | 10.5 - 18 hours | Irregular sleep patterns until about 6 - 8 weeks that interact with hunger; multiple sleep periods in day and night; Sleep is active: smiling, sucking, body movements | Sleep on back to prevent SIDS: Facilitate nighttime sleep; Create a positive and safe sleeping environment; Identify signs of sleepiness | Tips for Newborns - Observe the baby's sleep patterns and identify signs of sleepiness
- Put baby in the crib when drowsy, not asleep
- Place baby to sleep on his/her back with face and head clear of blankets and other soft items
- The crib should be safety approved
- A quiet and dark room at a comfortable temperature is best for sleep
- Encourage nighttime sleep
| Age | Amount of
Sleep Needed | Characteristics
of Sleep | Sleep Developmental Milestones | Infants
(2 - 12 Months) | Total Average: 14 - 15 hours
(Naps: 2.5 - 5 hours) | Increasing nighttime sleep; sleep pattern emerges; 3 - 4 naps change to 1 - 2 by end of first year | Create a regular bedtime schedule and routine; Nighttime awakenings; Learning to self-soothe | Tips for Infants - Develop a regular daily bedtime schedule
- Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine
- Establish a regular "sleep friendly" environment
- Encourage your baby to fall asleep independently and to become a "self-soother."
|
Age | Amount of
Sleep Needed | Characteristics
of Sleep | Sleep Developmental
Milestones | Toddlers
(1 - 3 Years) | Total Average: 12 - 14 hours
(Naps: 1.5 - 3.5 hours) | Morning naps cease around 18 months; most sleep through the night on a regular sleep schedule | Follow a bedtime routine; Set limits; Encourage falling asleep independently; Transition from crib to bed | Tips for Toddlers - Maintain a daily sleep schedule and consistent bedtime routine
- The bedroom environment should be the same every night and throughout the night
- Set limits
- Encourage use of a security object
- Develop a regular daily bedtime schedule
|
Age | Amount of
Sleep Needed | Characteristics
of Sleep | Sleep Developmental Milestones | Preschoolers
(3 - 5 Years) | Total Average: 11 - 13 hours
| Naps usually end by 5 years; nighttime fears may emerge | Consistent sleep/wake time and bedtime routine | Tips for Preschoolers - Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule
- Follow-through with a bedtime routine every night
- The child should have the same sleeping environment every night. It should be cool, quiet and dark and without a TV
- Watch for difficulty breathing, unusual nighttime awakenings, chronic sleep problems, and behavioral problems during the day.
| Age | Amount of
Sleep Needed | Characteristics
of Sleep | Sleep Developmental
Milestones | School-Age
(5 - 12 Years) | Total Average: 10 - 11 hours | Increasing demands on children’s time can lead to sleep deprivation; Impact of TV, computers, caffeine and medical conditions on sleep | Establish lifetime sleep and health habits; Be alert for persistent sleep problems and daytime sleepiness | Tips for School-Age Children - Introduce healthy sleep habits, disease prevention and health promotion
- Continue to emphasize the need for a regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine
- The child's bedroom should be conducive to sleep: dark, cool and quiet. TV's and computers should be off and out of the bedroom
- Set limits
- Avoid caffeine
- Watch for signs of chronic difficulty sleeping, loud snoring, difficulty breathing, unusual nighttime awakenings and frequent daytime sleepiness.
|
To Return to Childhood Habits, Click Here
Copyright© 2007 My Parenting Portal ABOUT US - PRIVACY POLICY - DISCLAIMER - CONTACT US
|
