Baby Sleep Time Calculator: Age-Based Recommended Sleep Time Guide
Importance of Baby Sleep
Sufficient sleep is essential for a baby's physical growth, brain development, immune system strengthening, and emotional stability. Growth hormone is secreted during deep sleep, and what is learned during the day is converted to long-term memory during sleep. Newborns need 16-18 hours of sleep per day, 12-month-olds need 12-14 hours, and this gradually decreases with age.
Recommended Sleep Time by Age
- Newborn (0-3 months): 14-18 hours (3-5 naps)
- 4-6 months: 12-16 hours (2-3 naps)
- 7-12 months: 12-14 hours (2 naps)
- 12-18 months: 11-14 hours (1-2 naps)
- 18 months-3 years: 11-13 hours (1 nap)
- 3-5 years: 10-13 hours
- 6-12 years: 9-12 hours
- 13-18 years: 8-10 hours
Symptoms and Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation can cause fussiness, loss of appetite, weakened immunity, growth delay, attention deficit, and aggressive behavior. Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and learning disabilities, so it is important to ensure adequate sleep time.
Building Good Sleep Habits
Maintaining consistent bedtime and wake time, quiet activities 1-2 hours before sleep, dark environment, appropriate temperature (18-20°C), using white noise, and putting baby to sleep when not too hungry or too full are important. Especially, a regular sleep routine (bath-reading-lullaby) helps the baby prepare for sleep.