I would like to know how much sleep a 5yr,3yr,2yr, and 6mth old needs at night. and do they nap at all.?

Question

my kids seem to be staying up all day and not going to bed until the later hours of the night and they are usually impossible to get to sleep. I would like to know how much sleep they need and if they should be taking naps during the day. This way i know that i am tryinh to put them to bed at the right time for their age and that they get a good nights rest. Im hoping that this makes them alot less cranky and easier to talk to and deal with during the day.

Answer 1

I have 5 kids (12 yrs,6 yrs,4 yrs-twins and 2yrs). Kids are all so different.No one book or guide is right for all kids.

-My oldest never napped really but slept great at night.
-The second one was collic, fun stuff. Slept when he felt like it - usually awake when I wanted to sleep. However, by the time he was 1 yr. he was all set.

All in all, mine napped twice in the day (9am & 230pm) the naps lasted about 2 hours each. They did this until about age 1. Then only once a day after lunch (1ish), for about an hour. The youngest still naps the hour a day but the rest stopped at about 3-3 1/2. The four younger ones go to bed each night at 730pm and get up at 6am. The oldest goes to bed at 9pm and is up at 630am for school.

With so many kids I would advise to have a strict routine. It just works best for everyone. Less stress for you and after a while they will stop giving you a hard time and just go to bed. We get ready for bed at 7pm and read books, each child picks a short book. Before books they have "quiet time" with the TV for 30 minutes. We've done this from day one and no one ever gives us issues. If you try something like this, it may take some time to get them used to it. Like I said with lots of kids, routine is key - not just at nap time or bed time!

Good Luck!!! :)

Answer 2

The amount of sleep a child needs is individual. I would say the 6 mos old still needs to be taking naps. For the other children it would depend on their needs. If they are crabby in the afternoon or become belligerent and won't listen, naps might be a good idea. The five year old is probably ready to give up naps, but a resting period wouldn't be a bad idea. Some quite time in the afternoon. Maybe watching a movie or coloring quietly.

As far as how many hours of sleep, here is a website with some good guidelines.
kidshealth.org

The pediatric guidelines they give:
first 6 mos - 16 to 20 hours of sleep spread into 3 to 5 hour increments.
6 mos to 1 yr - a total of 15 hours of sleep. 11 hours at night and a 3 hour nap.
1 to 3 yrs - a total of 10 to 13 hours of sleep, naps are not necessary.
preschoolers (4 to 5 yrs old) - a flexible schedule of 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night
6 to 9 yrs olds - about 10 hours of sleep each night.

Remember these are just guidelines and all children are different. However, adequate sleep is good for everyone. Lack of sleep leaves people (including little ones) crabby and irritable. It also leaves them more open to illness because the immune system isn't functioning as well as it should be.

The article is good. It offers a lot of helpful information. I hope you will take a look at it. Hope that helps. Take care.

Answer 3

I am a child care provider and I think that they all need naps even if the 5 year old only sleeps for 30-45 min. and if the 5 year old is still cranky with that amount of time make the nap time longer our nap time is from 11:30 to 2:00 and the kids get to my house around 6:00 to 7:00 am and they don't go back to sleep so they are ready for a nap. I would say that they should go to bed around 8:00 pm I know they need at lest 12 hours of sleep hope this helps

Answer 4

If the 5yr old is cranky by the end of the day then he needs to nap during the day. The 3yr old and 2 yr old should have atleast one nap. The 6 month old usually will name 2 or 3 times a day. My son is 5 months old and will nap 3 times. Usually after he eats. Bedtime in my house for my 6yr old stepdaughter is 930 on weekends my 5 month old pretty much has made his own schedule and is in bed by 830. Hope this helps you a little

Answer 5

The baby should sleep at least 12 hours at nite and 1 or 2 naps during the day. 5yr olds don't normally take naps but should be in bed by 8:30pm.Especially if the child goes to school. 2 yr olds should be still napping at least once during the day and sleeping 10hrs at nite.the 3 yr. old should also sleep around 8to10 hrs. Watch what they are eating or drinking before day naps and before bed time and maybe put the baby and the 2yr old up first and then the other 2 kids. Kids like to clown around at nite and if you can be prescient and stick to the schedule.

Answer 6

Well they really do need naps during the day, your 5 year old doesn't really need a nap as much as quiet time to relax a little bit. They obviously have bad sleeping habits and that should change, they should be going to bed the same time everynight and having a bedtime routine to get them ready to bed. You can email me and I'll send you some tips for a bedtime routine. I think they need at least 9 hours of sleep each night, if not more. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

At 6 Months, they usually take about 2 naps a day. At 3 years they may take an hour nap if you calm them, and make them take a nap. By the age of 5, forget it, they will probably not take a nap unless that are ill.

Answer 8

According to Dr. Sears...
3 to 6 months 14 to 18 hours
6 months to 2 years 12 to 14 hours
2 to 5 years 10 -12 hours
These are hours per day, so it could include nap times.
I only have one child, so I can only imagine how difficult it might be to get more than one child to nap!!
My child is 22 months and still napping. I have friends whose children have stopped napping anywhere between 3 and 5 years.
Sounds like you have your hands full!!
Good luck!

Answer 9

If they are cranky they need more sleep. either establish a nap time routine or a earlier bed time, try something like 15 minutes earlier each night until you get where you want the bedtime to be.

Answer 10

the 5 year old maby probably not for naps but the rest of them do need them they should all get probably 10 hours of sleep every night! 8 being the minimum for the 5 year old