How much sleep does a newborn need?

Newborns (0–3 months) typically need 14–17 hours per 24h, distributed across short day and night sleep periods.

When do babies stop needing night feeds?

Many babies can sleep through the night around 6 months, though this varies widely. Always follow your pediatrician's guidance.

What's a good bedtime for a 2-year-old?

Most toddlers do well with bedtimes between 7:00–8:30 p.m., aiming for 11–14 hours total including naps.

When do toddlers drop to one nap?

Usually between 12 and 18 months. Watch for short or refused morning naps as the cue.

When should children stop napping?

Most children drop naps between 3 and 5 years old; some keep an occasional rest until kindergarten.

Is more sleep always better?

Within the recommended range, yes. Routinely sleeping far above the upper end can occasionally signal illness — discuss with your pediatrician.

Does screen time affect sleep?

Yes — screens within an hour of bedtime can suppress melatonin and delay sleep onset, especially in school-age children.

What if my child's schedule is very different?

Some variation is normal. Focus on a consistent routine, sufficient total hours, and signs of daytime rest.

0–12 years Evidence-based Free & private

Baby & Child Sleep Calculator — Hours & Bedtime

How much sleep does your child need? Get age-based total sleep hours, suggested bedtimes, and nap patterns based on AAP/AASM guidance.

Start calculating Learn about Baby & Child Sleep Calculator — Hours & Bedtime

Sleeping baby beneath a glowing crescent moon and stars

Understanding this tool

Plain-language explanations grounded in current pediatric evidence.

TL;DR

AAP/AASM recommend a total sleep range per 24 hours that changes with age — from 14–17 hours for newborns to 9–12 hours for school-age children. Enter your child's age and desired wake time to see total sleep needs, a bedtime window, and a nap pattern.

What it is

The Sleep Calculator estimates how many hours of sleep your child needs per 24 hours and suggests a bedtime window that lines up with your desired wake time.

How it's calculated

Recommendations follow consensus statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), which publish total sleep ranges by age band.

When to use it

Use when establishing or troubleshooting a sleep routine, planning naps, transitioning out of naps, or shifting bedtimes for school.

Who should use it

Parents, caregivers, sleep consultants, pediatricians, and early educators.

Clinical importance

Chronic short sleep in children is linked to attention problems, behavioral issues, obesity, and impaired learning. Meeting the recommended range supports cognitive and physical health.

Example

A 12-month-old needs 11–14 hours total. For a 7:00 a.m. wake-up, target a bedtime between roughly 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. depending on naps.

How to use this calculator

1
Enter age in months
Use months for young children (e.g. 18) or convert years × 12 for older kids.
2
Set desired wake time
Pick the time you want your child to wake up consistently.
3
Read total sleep range
Compare actual sleep to the AAP/AASM range for the age band.
4
Plan bedtime
Use the bedtime window and subtract typical nap hours to find a workable lights-out time.
5
Lock in a routine
Keep wake time and bedtime within 30 minutes day-to-day — consistency is the strongest sleep cue.

Common mistakes to avoid

Counting time in bed instead of time asleep when judging total hours.
Skipping naps to force a longer night — overtired children often sleep worse.
Letting screens run within an hour of bedtime; blue light delays melatonin.
Putting a baby down 'drowsy but awake' inconsistently — pick one approach.
Dropping the last nap too early; most toddlers still need one nap until 3–4 years.

Glossary

Sleep pressure: The biological drive to sleep that builds the longer a child is awake.
Wake window: Time spent awake between sleep periods — shorter in infants, longer with age.
Circadian rhythm: The ~24-hour internal clock that organises wake/sleep, hunger, and alertness.
Sleep latency: Time it takes to fall asleep after lights-out — usually under 20 minutes when well-rested.

Medical references

Frequently asked questions

Answers parents and pediatric professionals ask most often about this tool.

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