Baby and Infant Sleep Requirements

Sleep is important for babies and toddlers to be alert and learn new things and to function at their optimum level. If you are reading this you have probably found out that sleep is important for adults too!

Parents can provide an appropriate environment and opportunity for children to learn how to sleep?

When adults, children and babies have less than adequate amounts of sleep for their age and activity requirements they are often found to be:

more whingy
unsettled
irritable
impatient
jumpy
more tantrums with greater intensity
clumsy
over-active in their movements
Regular lack of sleep will also decrease immunity levels creating a greater risk of illness.
concentration and tolerance levels drop

Below are two charts that you can use as a guide for your baby or infant's sleep requirements. These charts are a guide only as all sleep is individual and dependent on physical activity, general health and wellbeing.

Also, feel free to browse products available on this site related to sleep:

Putting Them To Sleep eBook

Putting them to Sleep information CD (REDUCED PRICE while stocks last)

Putting Them To Sleep Session (Sunshine Coast area)

Sleep Package (Sunshine Coast area)

Sleep eClinic

Sleep Clinic Visit (Sunshine Coast)

'taste it - easy baby & toddler recipes along with professional child health advice' book

HOW MUCH / HOW OFTEN
All babies are individual in their needs and you will understand these needs, as you get to know your baby.

Be guided by your babies TIRED SIGNS which may include:

grizzling
yawning
jerky limb movements
rubbing eyes
frowning
pulling at ears
clenched fists

Ages	Routine	Sleep patterns	Up time between feeds	Down-time	Type of play
1-4 wks	Feed Play sleep	16.5 hrs	1hr 15mins	1-1.5 hrs	Likes faces,singing and movement
4 -12 wks	Feed Play sleep	15 hrs	1-1.5 hrs	1.5 - 2 hrs	Mobiles, soft toys, colours, floor play, tummy time
3 -4 mths	Feed Play Sleep	6 - 10 hrs / night (night feeds) 3-4 day sleeps	1.5 hrs	1.5 - 2 hrs	Deliberately swings out at objects, holds small rattles, books, mirror & music
4 - 6 mths	Feed Play Sleep Play	8 - 10 hrs / night (wakes and chatters)feeds not nutritionally required. 2 - 3 day sleeps	1.5 - 2 hrs	2 hrs	Holds & touches toys, transfers from one hand to another, mouths toys
6 - 8 mths	Feed Play Sleep Play	11 -12 hrs / night ( no night feeds required) 2 day sleeps	2 hrs	1.5 - 2 hrs	Bath toys, vocalizing, toys with moving parts, rolling and dancing
8 - 10 mths	Toddler Routine	12 hrs a night 2 day sleeps	2.5 - 3 hrs	1 - 2 hrs	Peek-a-boo, cloth books, moving toys, dolls, floor play & discovering
10 - 12 mths	Toddler Routine	12 hrs a night 2 day sleeps	3 - 4 hrs	1 - 1.5 hrs	Music, stacking blocks, play group, kitchen objects, cruizing around furnature
12 mths +	Toddler Routine	11 - 12 hrs a night, 1 day sleep	4 hrs +	2 - 2.5 hrs total	Puzzles, dancing, sandpit, pushbutton or pull along toys, cardboard boxes

Most babies under 8 weeks have one unsettled period a day,

commonly in the evening and one unsettled day per week

Ages	Appropriate Sleep Requirement / 24 hours	A daytime nap needs to be finish before 2.30pm or they may be difficult to settle at night.
12 - 18mths	13 - 14 hours	May have 2 short naps or 1 longer nap of 2½ hrs The length of nap will depend on how long your child has slept at night and how stimulating or strenuous their day activities have been
18 mths - 3 yrs	12 - 13 hours	A large percentage of young children still require daytime naps but again this will vary (1-2½ hrs) depending on their nights sleep and day activities
3 - 5 years	11 - 12 hours	Often grown out of needing a regular daytime nap but a quiet time with books after lunch is appropriate and useful.

Toddlers require a day sleep until 2 years old but some will continue until 4 years

Wouldn't it be wonderful if your baby, infant or toddler slept these hours!

It is important for you to learn how you can help your baby to sleep well even if it is not as much as this chart indicates; remember all babies are individual in their needs?

The information packed CD entitled "Putting them to Sleep" will answer a lot of the questions you have concerning infant sleep.

The CD outlines many significant issues and strategies which will help you to sought out what is the best way to help your little one learn to sleep better.

Order now 'Putting them to Sleep' CD (currently at a reduced price)

Sleep is also very related to appropriate food and nutrition.

If your baby is approaching or over 5 months old you will find my new book 'taste it' very helpful and easy to understand. I compiled all the answers to the many questions that parents with babies and children ask. Easy to read and simple to follow.

'taste it - easy baby & toddler recipes along with professional child health advice'

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