DHA explains how many hours your baby needs to sleep in a day

HOW MANY HOURS OF SLEEP DOES YOUR CHILD NEED EVERY DAY? It’s a question that’s plagued parents for quite some time, with some talking about the quality of sleep being more important than the quantity of napping one does. Dubai Health Authority cleared things up with a post explaining the optimum snooze period. Here’s what you need to know:

NEWBORNS: A baby needs between 14 and 17 hours of sleep time. Don’t be afraid of your baby’s love for dreaming; he/she is actually on an important mission, growing and developing. The American Sleep Association (ASA) explains that the human growth hormone is released while they are sleeping

INFANT: An infant needs anywhere from 12 to 15 hours of sleep. After the initial few months a baby will usually settle into longer nap patterns, because at this point they can go longer without feeds.

TODDLER: As a toddler, i.e. between the ages of one and three, a child should sleep for between 11 and 14 hours. However, this is also the time you’ll find rebellion – the world is too interesting to switch off. Experts recommend spotting the signs of exhaustion and putting the child down for a nap – or you are in for a grumpy encounter. Should you sleep train your child? Read this story for ideas: https://gulfnews.com/parenting/mums-dads/uae-parents-should-i-let-my-child-cry-himself-to-sleep-1.1627296442845.

PRE-SCHOOL: When kids are in their pre-school phase, they need about 10 to 13 hours of sleep. If they find sleeping for this amount through the night difficult, try an afternoon siesta.

SCHOOL-GOING KIDS: The need for sleep varies in school-going children; some are ok with a nine-hour cycle while others need a solid 11. Allow the child to guide you.

TEENAGER: As a teen, sleep times drop down to 8-10 hours – leaving enough time for work and play. For more information to help your child get a good night’s rest, read: https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/back-to-school-how-uae-parents-can-normalise-kids-sleep-routine-1.66005620

PARENTS: Adults, in case you were wondering, need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. And as we grow older that need whittles down – older people may sleep as little as 7 hours and be bright and chirpy the next morning.