Sleep is especially important for children as it directly impacts mental and physical development, learning and growth. By age 2 most children have spent more time asleep than awake. Overall, a child will spend 40% of their childhood asleep!
- Try to develop regular daytime and bedtime schedules that work for you and your child(ren)
- Active children are sleepy children
- Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine that works for you
- Avoid watching screens or TV at least 1 hour before bedtime
- Establish a regular "sleep friendly" environment
- Calm, comfortable, cool and dark with no television or screens
- Encourage baby and children to fall asleep independently
- Set limits that are consistent, communicated and enforced
- Encourage use of a security object such as a blanket or stuffed toy (this is only recommended for a child over the age of 1)
Toddlers need about 11 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. When they reach about 18 months of age their naptimes will decrease to once a day lasting about 1 to 3 hours.
The Sleep Charity have some healthy sleep tips for children.
For further information, please visit our sleep page and safe sleeping page.