WHY ARE NAPS IMPORTANT TO BABIES’ HEALTH?

Sleep is a big part of a child's good health. For young kids to get enough of it, most need some daytime sleep which is also called “naps”. Naps is usually short but bring many benefits to both children and parents:

 

 

 

Birth to 6 months: Infants need about 14–18 total hours of sleep per day and only wake every 1–3 hours to eat. 
 

6 to 12 months: Babies this age usually sleep about 14 hours total for the day. This usually includes two naps a day, which may last 20 minutes for some babies, for others a few hours. 
 

Toddlers (1 to 3 years): Toddlers need 12–14 hours of sleep, including an afternoon nap of 1–3 hours. Young toddlers might still be taking two naps, but naps should not be too close to bedtime, as they may make it harder for toddlers to fall asleep at night.
 

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years): Preschoolers sleep average about 11–12 hours at night, plus an afternoon nap. 
 

School-age (5 to 12 years): School-age kids need about 10–11 hours at night. Some 5-year-olds might still need a nap, and if a regular nap isn't possible, they might need an earlier bedtime.

Most parents underestimate the amount of sleep kids need. However, children may feel tired and suffer from more serious problems due to lack of sleep. Parents can wake your children a little earlier in the morning so the nap can begin sooner. Observe your children carefully to find out if they lack sleep. Soft music, dim lights, or a quiet story or rhyme at bedtime can help ease the transition to sleep and become a source of comfort for your child.