Are Your Kids Getting Enough Sleep For Their Age?

Sleep is an essential part of success in the classroom - but the question of how much sleep kids need is a struggle for many parents.

Bedtime battles happen at all ages, so here are the recommendations from sleep experts:

Babies – from ages 0 to 3 months newborns and babies need approximately 14 to 17 hours of sleep, and in their first year of life, require 12 to 15 hours of sleep each day (including naps).

Toddlers – Ages 1 to 2 years need approximately 11 to 14 hours of sleep daily. It is important to establish a bedtime routine early as sleep regression and sleepwalking are common during these ages.

Pre-schoolers – Learning and concentration is a critical component of ages 3 to 5 years. At this age, children should get 10 to 13 hours of sleep each day. If you need to wake your child up for school, he or she is likely not getting enough sleep as they should naturally awaken at these ages. School-aged children - Experts say kids aged 6 to 12 should between 9 and 12 hours of sleep each night.

Teenagers - This is the age group where teens either sleep for too long, or not enough. It is recommended to get between 8 and 10 hours although everyone will have different sleep needs based on lifestyle.

The best way for children to get more rest is to have a bedtime routine. Whether this may involve taking a shower, reading a book or drawing, the critical component is consistency!

The CPAP Clinic has a network of 40 clinics nationwide, and works in partnership with Centurion Healthcare, a Respiratory & Sleep Specialist clinic group to provide comprehensive sleep care including:

1. Respiratory & Sleep Specialist consultation – face-to-face and telehealth available
2. Sleep studies – in-lab, home and contactless sleep studies available.

Bulk billing available for specialist telehealth consultations as well as sleep studies. Medicare criteria apply. Call 1300 76 29 39 or email info@thecpapclinic.com.au for more information.