Building Healthy Sleep Habits From Infancy to Adolescence

Good sleep is incredibly crucial for children of all ages, from infants to adolescents. Building healthy sleep habits from infancy is important for your child's overall health, growth, and cognitive development. If you need some guidance to help build good sleep habits in the East & West Wichita & Derby, KS areas, make an appointment to see the doctors at Mid Kansas Pediatric Associates.

Infants

Infants typically need around 14–17 hours a day when they're newborns and around 12–15 hours when they're approaching a year old. When their sleep patterns mature, they'll start to sleep for longer stretches at night. Try to create a sleep routine that helps signal to your baby that it's time to sleep. This might include a warm bath, gentle rocking, and a bedtime story. It's also useful to keep in mind that babies have shorter sleep cycles, so they will wake up more frequently than older kids. 

Toddlers and Preschoolers

Toddlers and preschoolers generally need between 10–14 hours of sleep each day, including naps. This is a time of rapid physical and mental growth, so lots of sleep is essential to support their development. Keep sleep and wake times consistent and maintain a bedtime routine, so they can unwind. You might also want to limit screen time, as blue light can interfere with the body's sleep-wake cycle. It can be tough to create and maintain a sleep schedule for young kids, so if you need help, book a sleep appointment with the doctors at Mid Kansas Pediatric Associates in East & West Wichita & Derby, KS.

School-Aged Kids

Kids this age need around 9–12 hours of sleep. You'll need to pay closer attention to the amount and quality of sleep your child is getting. Encouraging physical activity during the day can help them sleep better at night, and if they're feeling stressed about anything, let them talk things through with you and try and form relaxation techniques. 

Adolescents

Teenagers need around 8–10 hours of sleep, but they might end up getting less due to academic and social demands. Sleep deprivation can affect mood, performance, and health. It can help to encourage your teenager to understand the importance of sleep for their overall well-being and academic success. 

Book Your Appointment

Good sleep habits are key to your child's overall health and development. If you have concerns about your child's sleep, book an appointment to see the doctors at Mid Kansas Pediatric Associates in East & West Wichita & Derby, KS. To book an appointment, call the numbers for each location:

• East Wichita: (316) 634-2000
• West Wichita: (316) 773-3100
• Derby: (316) 719-2001