Sleep. It’s one of the most important part of a human’s life, and even more so for babies and children. Sleep helps us grow, re-energise and reset; it regulates our hormones, hunger and health. Sleep gives us the fuel to basically live.

Children, from newborn to teen, sleep for an average of 40% of their life, and that percentage gets higher the closer to newborn you get. Did you know that infants can sleep upwards of 18 hours every day? With that in mind, is your baby getting enough sleep?

• Newborn: 11 to 18 hours
• Infants: 14 to 15 hours
• Toddlers: 12 to 14 hours
• Preschoolers: 11 to 13 hours
• School-age: 10 to 11 hours

Why do babies need so much sleep?

The main reason that babies need so much sleep is because they are growing at such a massive rate. The hormones that regulate this growth are secreted more rapidly during sleep, so a proper growth rate relies on sufficient time in bed. In addition, sleep has an impact on everything from nutrition to health and the immune system.

How do I know if my child is getting enough sleep?

For newborns and infants, the need for sleep often just happens, meaning they sleep when they want to and without a typical schedule that has been set by society. Once they get to toddler age, however, there is generally a schedule involving a full night’s sleep and a nap or two during the day.

As sleep patterns and needs vary by child, it may be hard to distinguish what is right for yours in particular. To help evaluate the situation, here are some signs to look for.

• Is your child cranky and short-tempered often?
• Does he fall asleep frequently while riding in a car?
• Does he fall asleep sometimes many hours before his usual bedtime?

Any of these may be signs of lack of, or at least erratic, sleep. The sleep patterns of such children should be adjusted in order to test what works best for them.

How can I promote healthy sleeping habits?

Follow a routine. Every night, do the same nighttime ritual. Start early and focus on relaxing activities, such as reading and taking baths. Create a calm environment so that your child is not distracted and overstimulated.

Cut out caffeine and sugar. It is wise to keep these items out of the reach of your children past midday if possible. They will only keep young ones awake longer than their body would be otherwise telling them, and this creates all sorts of sleep schedule problems.

Keep the bedroom comfortable. The temperature should be at a steady rate, and the bedding should be clean and comfortable. Many children do not like a completely dark room, so be sure to install a night light if necessary. Also, be sure to keep noise levels to a minimum during sleep hours.

Minimise daytime sleeping if it keeps your child up late. Too much sleeping during the day can throw off the sleep schedule, keeping your child from being able to fall asleep as normal at night. It might be necessary to force your child to stay awake more during the day until he/she can fall asleep at a normal time at night.

An adequate sleep schedule and healthy sleep habits are important to your child leading a healthy lifestyle. What do you do to get your child to bed at a decent time every night?