How much sleep do children need by age? A reference dataset
A citable dataset of recommended daily sleep by age for children, from the AASM (endorsed by the AAP), with a chart and sources.
How many hours of sleep does a child need at each age? This reference gathers the AASM recommendations (endorsed by the AAP) in one table, with a chart of the typical midpoint by age.
Recommended sleep by age
| Age | hours |
|---|---|
| 4-12 mo | 14 hours |
| 1-2 yr | 12.5 hours |
| 3-5 yr | 11.5 hours |
| 6-12 yr | 10.5 hours |
| 13-18 yr | 9 hours |
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) consensus recommendations (2016), endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Hours are per 24 hours, including naps for younger ages.
| Age | Recommended sleep (per 24h) | Includes naps |
|---|---|---|
| 4–12 months | 12–16 hours | Yes |
| 1–2 years | 11–14 hours | Yes |
| 3–5 years | 10–13 hours | Yes |
| 6–12 years | 9–12 hours | Usually no |
| 13–18 years | 8–10 hours | No |
Why sleep and reading go together
- Regular, sufficient sleep supports attention, mood, learning and health.
- A calm bedtime routine — including shared reading — helps children settle.
- Screens near bedtime can delay sleep; see our screen-time dataset.
Frequently asked questions
How much sleep does a 2-year-old need?
11–14 hours per 24 hours including naps, per the AASM (endorsed by the AAP).
How much sleep do teenagers need?
8–10 hours per 24 hours for ages 13–18.
Sources
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) consensus recommendations (2016), endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Hours are per 24 hours, including naps for younger ages.
- Confirm the current wording directly from the AASM/AAP before quoting exact ranges.