Child Sleep Guidelines

How Much Sleep Does a Child Need?

If a child is not getting the recommended amount of sleep or the child is snoring, choking at night or having frequent awakenings during the night, talk to a physician

The BEARS Quiz: Is your child getting the right amount of sleep?

The National Sleep Foundation has developed a simple set of sleep questions for parents called the BEARS. Each letter stands for a different potential sleep problem area. Ask yourself the following questions to help identify sleep issues that might be a concern in your child.

B = BEDTIME

Does your child have difficulty going to bed? Falling asleep?

E = EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS

Is your child always difficult to wake up in the morning?
Does your child seem sleepy or groggy during the day?
Does he or she often seem overtired (this can mean moody, “hyper,” or “out of it” as well as sleepy)?

A = AWAKENINGS DURING THE NIGHT

Does your child wake up at night? Have trouble falling back to sleep?
Does anything else seem to interrupt his/her sleep?

R = REGULARITY AND DURATION OF SLEEP

What time does my child go to bed and get up on weekdays? Weekends?
How much sleep does he or she get? Need?

S = SNORING

Does your child snore? Loudly? Every night?
Does he/she ever stop breathing or choke or gasp during sleep?
A yes answer to one or more of these questions could mean that your child has a sleep problem that should be looked into further. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor if you have any concerns or questions. To schedule a sleep study, call Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent Sleep Disorders Center at 1-800-972-7869.