Sleep Routines in Babies and Children

What is sleep guidance?

Sleep guidance means assessing your child's sleep needs for their age and building a plan with the family for problems such as night waking, resisting sleep and late bedtimes. Sleep is a matter of habit; a routine set up well rests both the child and the family.

Sleep needs by age

• 0 to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours spread across the day,
• 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours (including naps),
• 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours,
• 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours,
• school age: 9 to 12 hours.

These ranges are wide; what matters is that the child is alert during the day.

Problems I see most often

Falling asleep only in arms or while feeding, frequent night waking, resisting bed and late schedules are the most common reasons for a visit. The solution is usually not in a single method but in the evening routine, the time of the last feed, the room setup and consistency. I never recommend a programme that does not suit the family; I prefer gradual, sustainable change.

When is an examination needed?

Snoring, mouth breathing during sleep, pauses in breathing during sleep, restless sleep with night sweats, and excessive daytime sleepiness suggest a cause beyond habit and need an examination.