As adults, we recognize that everyone has a basic need to sleep, right? We also know that some people need more sleep than others. Our kids are the same! But while adults tend to compensate for lost sleep, in their own way, children are not so good at balancing that deprivation!
Have you found yourself asking how much sleep does my baby need? Then you read ‘all the books’ to find everyone has a different answer… I know!! It’s so frustrating to figure out what’s best for your little one when no one agrees on any aspect of a child’s sleep needs. For the purposes of “knowing the numbers”, I’ve combined a lot of the information available for you below.
Remember that “normal” includes the very lowest and highest reports from what these experts believe is adequate for some children… these numbers are not necessarily indicative of what is healthy and appropriate for most children.
So… is your child fitting into these recommended averages? If not, you may be dealing with some difficult days (and nights)! But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Understanding and meeting sleep needs for individual kids can be tricky, and I’m here to help. Please reach out if you need to find a new ‘normal’ for your child’s sleep!
And stay tuned! Part 2 will explain more about the ways to tell if your family is missing out on the sleep they need!