What time should children go to bed? This is a popular question among parents around the world. This question has a few different answers, depending on who you ask, but many agree that little ones should settle into a regular sleep routine around four months of age.
Here are the answers according to the website Sleepsisters.com, a guide for parents where experts explain when to send the children to sleep, from infancy to adolescence.
Newborns (up to three months): Newborns usually sleep for short periods of two hours during the day and night. Since some of them are still nursing regularly, it is recommended to put them to bed between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Four to eight months: In addition to regular naps, an earlier bedtime can help babies get the sleep they need to develop, so it's recommended to put them to bed between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Eight to ten months: Sleep consultants say that bedtime should be no later than five hours after the second afternoon nap for eight to ten-month-olds.
Ten to fifteen months: Since babies at this age probably take shorter naps, they should go to bed earlier. The recommended time is between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Fifteen months to three years: Since at this stage you take fewer naps throughout the day, it is recommended to maintain a bedtime between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Three to six years: It is recommended to go to bed between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. When children no longer nap, they need an extra hour of sleep at night.
Seven to twelve: At this age, sleep is critically important for children so that they are full of energy and can function and concentrate properly during the school day. That's why the experts recommend setting bedtime between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m.
Nine to eighteen: As children move through puberty into early adulthood, it is ideal for them to be in bed by 10:00 p.m. each night.
How many hours of sleep children need each day is another burning question that many mothers and fathers discuss. Each child needs a different amount of sleep, depending on their age.
Recommended amount of hours for babies, children and teenagers
The Cleveland Health Clinic recommends this amount of sleep per age grouping.
Newborns (up to three months): 14 to 17 hours
Infants (four to eleven months): 12 to 15 hours
Toddlers (one to two years): 11 to 14 hours
Preschool children (three to five): 10 to 13 hours
School-age (six to thirteen): 9 to 11 hours
Teenagers (fourteen to seventeen): 8 to 10 hours