Sniffle Solutions

Ask the School Nurse

How much sleep should my kids get each night? They often seem overtired, and I worry they are more vulnerable to illness.

You’re right to be worried, because sleep deprivation does take a toll on the immune system. Getting adequate rest is important all the time, but it’s especially crucial during cold and flu season.

You may be surprised at just how much sleep your little ones need per night, because it’s often much more than adults typically get. The American Academy of Pediatrics makes the following recommendations for sleep requirements by age:

Newborns: 10.5 to 18 hours per day
Infants: 9 to 12 hours at night, plus one to four naps (30 minutes or more each)
Toddlers: 12 to 14 hours per day
Preschoolers: 11 to 13 hours per day
School-aged children: 10 to 11 hours per day
Tweens and teens: 8.5 to 9.25 hours per day