Here's How Much Sleep Your Kids Should Be Getting

Your kid's sleep needs change as they get older. Check out our child, toddler, and baby sleep chart by age for the latest recommendations, plus expert tips for better sleep.

Sleep can be difficult when you're a parent—and not just getting enough of it. With busy schedules, work, school, and a little person who is constantly growing and changing, it can also be a challenge to know how much sleep your child should be getting.

It's true that all kids have different sleep needs, but there are some general guidelines you can follow. Here, we break down the recommended sleep schedules for babies, toddlers, and children. We also provide a handy sleeping chart by age. Now if only you could get enough zzz's as well

Baby's Sleep Schedule: Newborn to 2 Months

We're going to be honest with you here: The newborn sleep stage is a strange time because there's no rhyme or reason to their sleep patterns. Your baby will be sleeping a lot—around 16 to 17 hours per day—but unfortunately, those hours will not be consecutive, and they may not occur at night either.1

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) doesn't offer guidance for newborn sleep because their brains are still developing, which means there's not really an established pattern of sleep in newborns.2

It's entirely possible your baby will sleep decently, and if not, you don't have to stress. There is still lots of time to establish good sleep habits as your baby's brain develops and they're able to sleep better.