Children & Sleep: Baby to Teen

Children have specific sleep needs that are a part of healthy body and brain development. While many mysteries persist around the science of sleep, one thing is clearly evident - sleep is an important part of the growth process for all children - from babies to teens.

Newborn infants spend the majority of the night and day sleeping. It is presumed that much brain development occurs during this period. Interestingly, a large percentage of their sleep is spent in REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep).

There is a popular story that has circulated for hundreds, if not thousands, of years - the story of the new parent with young child who refuse to fall asleep at the desired time. In this section, there are several articles on simple tips and tricks that you can use to make this process flow more easily.

Learn the simple tips that every new parent should know about getting your baby to sleep - and staying asleep. Read about the tactics that you can use to thwart your child's opposition to going to bed at the desired time. Learn more about why sleep is so important for all children.

The topics also include techniques that you can use to help your baby or older child to sleep well while traveling on vacation. When summer is about to end, learn what you can do to prepare your child for getting back to a realistic sleep schedule for school.

Of course, no conversation about sleep and children would be complete without discussing the amount of sleep that each age of child needs to be healthy.

There is also an in-depth exploration of the many sleep disorders that children may deal with. Adults aren't the only ones who are susceptible to sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia.

Information on Sleep and Children - Babies to Teens

- Sleep Disorders Diagnosis and Management in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Let’s Teach Our Children About Sleep

- Adolescents with Sleep Disturbance: Causes and Diagnosis

- Parents, Children, Sleep, and Mental Health
- Narcolepsy In Children and Teenagers

- Sleep Apnea in Children vs. Poor Sleep Hygiene

- Sleep Apnea in Children Could Lead to Changes in Mood and Cognition

- Children’s Brains React Differently to Sleep Loss

- Parents’ Sleep Health Behaviors May Affect Children’s Sleep

- How Much Sleep do Children Need?

- Emotional Disorders linked to Sleep Deficiency in Children

ASA adds new content to the Children & Sleep: Babies to Teens Section regularly. Check back for more tips and recommendations regularly. If you have a question about babies and sleep, visit the 'Ask the Sleep Doctor' section.