Discover what time your child should go to bed based on their age. Learn the optimal amount of sleep your child needs at different ages and how establishing a bedtime routine can help improve your kid’s sleep and overall health. Follow this kid’s bedtime chart and set your child up for a lifetime of healthy sleep habits.
Are you struggling to determine what time your kid should go to bed? As a parent of 2 who struggles to find the ideal sleep routine, I want to help other parents. I’ve quickly learned through experience that establishing a consistent bedtime routine improves my child’s sleep, which is essential for their overall health and well-being.
Give your child the gift of restful, restorative sleep. Please read this article and establish healthy bedtime habits that will benefit your child for years to come.
This article will cover the following:
- What Time Should a Kid Go to Bed?
- Why Is Consistent Bedtime Important?
- How to Establish a Bedtime Routine
- Conclusion
1. What Time Should a Kid Go to Bed?
When it comes to determining your child’s bedtime, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, most parents follow the same bedtime schedule because their kids need specific sleep before waking up to go to kindergarten or school.
The recommended bedtime hours can vary depending on your child’s age. Here’s a breakdown:
| Kid | Age | Bedtime | Sleep required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 0-3 months | 7-9 pm | 14-17 hours |
| Infant | 4-12 months | 7-8 pm | 12-16 hours |
| Toddler | 1-2 years old | 7-8 pm | 11-14 hours |
| Preschooler | 3-5 years old | 7-9 pm | 10-13 hours |
| School-age children | 6-13 years old | 8-9 pm | 9-11 hours |
| Teenager | 14-17 years old | 9-10 pm | 8-10 hours |
Your child’s individual needs and schedule should also be taken into consideration. Of course, these are just general guidelines.
What Time Should a Newborn Go to Bed?
- Age: 0 to 3 months old
- Sleep required: 14-17 hours
- Bedtime: 7-9 pm
Sleep experts recommend that newborns between the ages of 0-3 months go to bed at around 7-9 pm. Newborns require a lot of sleep as it is essential for their growth and development, and they typically sleep about 14-17 hours a day.
It’s important to note that your newborn baby might have an irregular sleep pattern. It may wake up frequently throughout the night to get a diaper changed. Moreover, newborns need to feed often, which can impact their sleep schedule. You may find that your baby wakes up frequently throughout the night to feed. However, as babies age, they’ll start to sleep for longer stretches.
Overall, being patient and consistent regarding your newborn’s sleep schedule is important. With time and effort, you can help your baby establish healthy sleep patterns that will benefit their growth and development.
What Time Should an Infant Go to Bed?
- Age: 4 to 12 months old
- Sleep required: 12-16 hours
- Bedtime: 7-8 pm
Infants between the ages of 4-12 months should go to bed at around 7-8 pm. Children at this age typically require approximately 12-16 hours of sleep per day, with most of that sleep occurring at night.
Also, don’t forget to consider that a child of this age may still wake up during the night to feed or require a clean diaper. So, be patient, and soon you might get a full night of sleep!
What Time Should a Toddler Go to Bed?
- Age: 1 to 2 years old
- Sleep required: 11-14 hours
- Bedtime: 7-8 pm
If you want to follow the sleep expert’s recommendation, your toddler between the ages of 1-2 years old should go to bed at around 7-8 pm. Toddlers at this age typically require about 11-14 hours of sleep per day, with most of that sleep occurring at night.
I highly recommend that you limit exposure to screens before bedtime.
According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, exposure to screens before bedtime can disrupt toddler sleep patterns. TV, tablets, and smartphones emit blue light, which can interfere with the body’s production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, making it harder for toddlers to fall asleep and stay asleep.
It’s important to know that some toddlers, including mine, could resist going to bed or have difficulty falling asleep, and screen time can exacerbate these issues. If your toddler continues to struggle with sleep, it may be helpful to seek advice from a sleep specialist. They can provide you with personalized strategies to help your child sleep better and longer.
What Time Should a Preschooler Go to Bed?
- Age: 3 to 5 years old
- Sleep required: 10-13 hours
- Bedtime: 7-9 pm
It’s recommended that preschoolers between the ages of 3-5 years old go to bed at around 7-8:30 pm. Preschoolers at this age typically require approximately 10-13 hours of sleep daily. As daytime naps get shorter, or in my experience impossible, most of that sleep happens at night.
Limiting your preschooler’s exposure to screens before bedtime is also important. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children between the ages of 2-5 years old should have no more than one hour of screen time per day.
It’s also possible that your kiddo resists going to bed or has difficulty falling asleep. If this is the case, be patient and adjust the bedtime routine. Most parents are in the same situation. Don’t worry; you got this!
What Time Should a School-age Child Go to Bed?
- Age: 6 to 13 years old
- Sleep required: 9-11 hours
- Bedtime: 8-9:30 pm
After talking to many parents at my kid’s school, I can tell you for sure that most school-age children between the ages of 6-13 years old go to bed at around 8-9:30 pm. Children of this age require about 9-11 hours of sleep per night. Our responsibility is to ensure that our kids get enough sleep before school.
It’s around that age when kids become more independent that your kid might also rebel again during bedtime hours. It can greatly help to talk to your child about the importance of sleep and the benefits of getting enough sleep. You can also involve them in creating their bedtime routine, giving them a sense of ownership over their sleep habits. Also, no screens before bedtime, as the blue light emitted can disrupt sleep patterns.
What Time Should a Teenager Go to Bed?
- 14-17 years old
- Required required:
- Bedtime: 9-11 pm
Teenagers, ok, now it’s getting more complex! If you are a teenager’s parent, you know that (almost) everything becomes a negotiation, and bedtime hours might not go high on your list. Still, it’s recommended that teenagers between the ages of 14-17 years old go to bed at around 9-11 pm. Teenagers require a minimum of 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
However, the bedtime hours negotiation might have a scientific reason. Did you know that teenagers have a natural shift in their circadian rhythm, making them feel more awake and alert later in the evening?
According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, teenagers have a natural shift in their circadian rhythm, making them feel more awake and alert later in the evening. This shift is caused by a delay in the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, which can make it difficult for teenagers to fall asleep early and wake up early in the morning.
You can read more about this study and its findings on the National Sleep Foundation’s website: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/teens-and-sleep
It’s important to note that teenagers may face challenges when getting enough sleep due to busy schedules, academic demands, and social activities. However, it’s important to prioritize sleep as an essential part of their overall health and well-being. Encourage your teenager to prioritize sleep and plan their schedules accordingly to ensure they get the sleep they need.
2. Why Is Consistent Bedtime Important?
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is crucial for your child’s sleep and overall health. Here’s why:
- Better sleep quality: Going to bed at the same time every night can help regulate your child’s internal clock, making it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Improved behavior and mood: Kids who get enough sleep are more likely to be well-behaved, attentive, and have a positive attitude throughout the day.
- Better academic performance: Children who get enough sleep are more likely to perform well in school and have better academic outcomes.
- Reduced risk of health issues: Sleep is crucial for your child’s physical health, and getting enough sleep can help reduce their risk of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Another important factor in helping your kid establish healthy sleep patterns is to be consistent with their sleep schedule. Aim to get your child to bed at the same time every night and wake them up at the same time every morning, as this will help regulate their internal clock and make it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
3. How to Establish a Bedtime Routine
Establishing a bedtime routine can help your child sleep better and improve overall health. Here are some tips to help you create a consistent bedtime routine for your child:
- Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading a story or taking a warm bath.
- Limit screen time before bed.
- Make sure your child’s sleep environment is comfortable and conducive to sleep.
- Be consistent and stick to the routine, even on weekends.
4. Conclusion
Setting a regular bedtime routine is essential for ensuring that your child gets enough sleep and is well-rested. You will also greatly benefit from having a kid that gets enough sleep. Trust me. You’ll be able to tell when your child had a good or bad night of sleep.
While it may take some time for your child to adjust to a new bedtime routine, be patient and consistent in your efforts. Try to limit your child’s exposure to screens before bedtime and establish a calming bedtime routine that includes activities such as reading, listening to soft music, or taking a warm bath. By implementing these tips, you can help your child establish healthy sleep habits that will benefit them for years.
Remember that every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another, so be patient and keep trying until you find a routine that works best for your child.
Sweet dreams!