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How Much Sleep Should a Toddler Get?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Related Tags: sleep | naps | hours | contirbute | toddlers
 

Instructions

General Guideline

  • Step 1:
    While 10 to 13 hours of sleep is the norm, some children may need as much as 15 hours, or as little as eight hours of sleep. No single guideline applies to all children.

Naps

  • Step 1:
    Most toddlers nap at least once during the day for 30 minutes to two hours at a time. Naps can be beneficial, but many parents find that late-afternoon naps interfere with their child's nighttime sleep patterns.

Not Enough Sleep

  • Step 1:
    Toddlers who sleep very little (less than 10 hours) may be in physical pain from teething, ear infections or other health problems. Emotional disturbances can also contirbute to restlessness.

Too Much Sleep

  • Step 1:
    A toddler who sleeps for very long periods of time may have a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or nightmares, that prevents him from feeling refreshed after sleeping.

When to Worry

  • Step 1:
    Contact a pediatrician if you have any questions about your toddler's sleep behavior. Your doctor can rule out a physical or emotional problem that might be interfering with your child's sleep.

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