Sleep Needs by Age
How many hours should your child sleep? Based on the American Academy of Pediatrics consensus.
The numbers, briefly
These ranges come from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's 2016 consensus statement (Paruthi et al.), which the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed. The newborn 0 to 3 month band is from the National Sleep Foundation's 2015 recommendations (Hirshkowitz et al.), because the AASM consensus covers 4 months and above only. They describe total sleep over 24 hours, including naps. Most children do well inside the range; a regular kid at the edge of the range is usually fine.
Bedtime routines and nap transitions
Hitting the recommended range is easier when sleep is predictable. For infants and toddlers, a short nightly sequence (bath, feed or snack, low-light book, song) signals wind-down and typically runs 20 to 30 minutes. Keep the last step in the sleep environment so the child falls asleep where they will wake up. School-age kids benefit from the same idea in a lighter form: consistent bedtime, screens off at least 60 minutes before bed (AAP), and a stable wake time, including weekends.
Nap transitions are common in infancy and early childhood, and they can temporarily disrupt sleep. Transitions are rarely clean, and tracking total 24-hour sleep is more useful than the exact nap schedule. If total 24-hour sleep holds inside the range, the transition is on track. Pair sleep with growth tracking using our Baby Percentile Calculator.
When to talk to a clinician
Snoring, choking during sleep, extreme daytime tiredness, or consistent sleep well outside the range (see the Due Date Calculator if you are still expecting and planning ahead). These are worth raising with your pediatrician.
Read more: Baby Sleep Regressions by Month: What to Expect and What Helps.
Frequently asked questions
How much sleep does a newborn need?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 14 to 17 hours of total sleep per day for newborns (0 to 3 months), including both night sleep and naps. Sleep is fragmented at this age, and short wake windows every few hours are normal. Longer stretches of consolidated night sleep typically emerge between 3 and 6 months.
Do naps count toward the total?
Yes. The AAP ranges describe total sleep over 24 hours, including all naps. A toddler who sleeps 10 hours at night and takes a 2-hour nap is getting 12 hours total, which lands in the recommended range. There is no need to track night and day sleep separately unless a clinician asks you to.
When should a child drop their last nap?
There is no single age when children drop their last nap. Nap transitions are gradual across infancy and early childhood, and total 24-hour sleep matters more than the exact timing. If total daily sleep holds inside the AAP-recommended range, the transition is on track.
Do screens affect children's sleep?
Screen light and stimulation in the hour before bed push sleep onset later and reduce total sleep. The AAP recommends turning off all screens at least 60 minutes before bedtime, especially for school-age children and teens. Removing screens from the bedroom overnight also tends to improve both sleep duration and sleep quality.
How much sleep do teenagers need?
The AAP and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend 8 to 10 hours for teenagers (13 to 18 years). Most do not get it, in part because their natural sleep phase shifts later during puberty. Consistent sleep and wake times, including on weekends, and a dim last hour help close the gap.
Is it bad if my child sleeps more than the range?
Usually no. The AAP ranges are guidance for typical needs, not hard limits. Children who are growing well, waking rested, and active during the day are almost always fine at the high end of the range. A sudden large increase in sleep, especially with low energy or other symptoms, is worth raising with your pediatrician.