Use these ranges as a starting point, but if your child is cranky, dozes off on car trips, has trouble waking up in the morning, or wakes up a lot during the night, he may need more shut-eye.
Newborns (0-2 months)
12-18 hours
Infants (3-11 months)
14 to 15 hours, including nap
Human growth hormone, which spurs body and brain development, is secreted during certain stages of sleep, so growth can be stunted in babies that don't get enough.
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Toddlers (1-3 years)
12 to 14 hours, including naps
Preschoolers (3-5 years)
11 to 13 hours, including naps
Lack of sleep in kinds under 5 has been linked to obesity later in life.
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School-age kids (5-10 years)
10 to 11 hours
Inadequate rest can lead to hyperactivity, learning problems, and behavioral issues in school-age children, studies have shown.
Teens and preteens (10-17 years)
8½ to 9½ hours
Studies suggest that sleepy teens are more prone to depression, attention problems, poor grades, and even car accidents.
Grown-ups
7 to 9 hours
Just one to two nights of bad sleep can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and inflammation in the body (all bad for the heart) as well as increase appetite (bad for the waistline).
Source: The National Sleep Foundation
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