How much sleep does my child need?
Recommended hours of sleep for babies, toddlers, school-age children and teens, and how to turn them into a bedtime.
By Best Sleep Trackers · Updated October 18, 2026
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) published consensus recommendations for children in 2016. They describe the amount of sleep, per 24 hours, that promotes good health.
| Age | Recommended sleep per 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Infants, 4–12 months | 12–16 hours (including naps) |
| Toddlers, 1–2 years | 11–14 hours (including naps) |
| Preschool, 3–5 years | 10–13 hours (including naps) |
| School age, 6–12 years | 9–12 hours |
| Teens, 13–18 years | 8–10 hours |
The National Sleep Foundation’s 2015 report gives slightly different ranges for some ages (for example 9–11 hours for school-age children), which is a reminder that these are ranges for most children, not exact targets.
Turning hours into a bedtime
Work back from the time your child needs to wake up. For a 7:00 AM wake-up and a 10-hour target, that’s around 9:00 PM asleep, so a bedtime routine that starts at about 8:15 PM. Our kids bedtime calculator does this for each age.
Signs your child may need more sleep
Children who are short on sleep may be hard to wake in the morning, cranky or hyperactive in the afternoon, or fall asleep in the car. If this sounds familiar, try moving bedtime 15 minutes earlier for a week and see what changes.
If you have concerns about your child’s sleep, speak to your pediatrician.
Sources
Related articles
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- Sleep myths Myth: everyone needs exactly eight hours of sleep Why sleep needs are a range, and how to find yours.
General information only. This tool gives general sleep information and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you're worried about your sleep or your child's, talk to a doctor or pediatrician.