Children's sleep needs change constantly! Just as you think you are on to a winner and have a predictable schedule to your day, they will want to drop a nap. As frustrating as this is, it is all part of the parenting package ad can be easily navigated if you know what to expect!
All children's sleep needs are slightly different with some children having higher sleep needs than other (especially if they are alert in temperament) but below is a good guide to know what to expect of your child's sleep from birth to 6+ years.
You can download a copy of this on my main website and I highly recommend doing so and printing it out for future reference.
If your child is going through a tough period with their sleep or they are fighting naps/ bedtime then use it to check each area and try to identify any gaps.
By knowing roughly what your child's sleep should look like you can quickly identify any issues and what needs tweaking or more support.
More often than not, children who are not meeting the needs outlines in the chart, they become overtired, which leads to higher levels of cortisol (which can chemically wake them up further!). So it is really important that you know how much sleep in a 24 hour period you should be aiming for.
If you are trying to teach self settling skills, it will be a difficult task to do if you are also trying to clear a sleep deficit.
I hope this has been helpful for you. If you would like more support with tips on how to meet your child's sleep needs why not book a call to discuss my range of support options to get you and your family sleeping well with lasting results?
Book a free call today to discuss your families sleep needs and find out how we can work together.
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