Dieser Beitrag wurde geschrieben von Katrin Stötter

Sleep needs of babies and toddlers: Everything parents need to know

Katrin Stötter

Mother, certified sleep coach and founder of the sleep consulting “Bear-strong Baby Sleep”.

The sleep of our little ones – a delicate matter

The sleep of babies and toddlers is a frequently discussed topic that unsettles many parents. Numerous myths and false information circulate online, which only increase the uncertainty.

I too would have wished for this knowledge at the beginning of my motherhood – before my training as a sleep coach. Sleep and rest are of great importance for the mental and physical development of little ones – from the first months of an infant’s life up to school age. But how much sleep do newborns, babies, and toddlers really need? And how can parents best support their child’s need for sleep?

Table of Contents

  • Sleep cycle & sleep stages in babies and toddlers
  • Creating the right sleep environment
  • Rituals and routines for better sleep
  • FAQ: Common questions about children's sleep needs
  • Conclusion

Why is sleep so important for babies and toddlers?

Especially in the first year of life, babies go through numerous growth spurts and sleep setbacks that significantly change and affect their sleep. Such spurts and changes often turn nights into days for some or even several weeks. Nighttime waking phases are not uncommon during these spurts and sleep changes. During these phases, everything the child experiences and learns is processed in sleep. Sleep promotes the formation of new nerve connections, which are crucial for the growth and development of the brain. Healthy sleep is therefore essential for your child's physical and mental growth.

Sleep cycle and sleep stages in babies and toddlers

Babies and toddlers have a different sleep cycle than grown-ups. They fall directly into REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), during which experiences are processed and new skills are strengthened. Many parents think their child sleeps restlessly because the eyes move in this phase and the child turns around a lot. But the child is not sleeping restlessly, rather actively.

A sleep cycle in babies lasts about 30–45 minutes, with only about 10 minutes of deep sleep, the so-called NonREM sleep. The rest of the cycle the child sleeps in REM sleep, which shows how active your child's brain is during sleep.

Illustration: Sleep cycle: Newborns & toddlers

In the first year of life, babies spend about 50% of their sleep in the active REM phase. This is important because frequent waking and falling back asleep promotes the processing of experiences. The REM proportion decreases significantly in the first two years of life. Adults, for example, spend only about 20% of their total sleep in the REM phase.

Creating the right sleeping environment

Are you wondering how to best put your baby to sleep? A calm sleeping environment is crucial to allow your baby or toddler to have good rest. From the fourth month onward, your child's day-night rhythm develops. It is advisable to darken the room in good time and to have as many naps as possible at home in a quiet setting. From this time, your child can also produce the sleep hormone melatonin, which promotes good and pleasant sleep. The production of this hormone begins as soon as it is dark. Of course, small string lights or nursing lights, etc., are perfectly fine.

More expert tips on the topic of baby sleep can be found in the article “Safe Baby Sleep – What Is Important?” and “Baby Sleeping Bag: What Should Be Worn Underneath?”.

Rituals and routines for better sleep

Rituals are especially important for babies and toddlers because they provide predictability and security. A fixed bedtime ritual, such as putting on pajamas or playing a Musical Soft Toy, can help your child prepare for sleep. Such bedtime rituals should be established from the 4th month and can be kept short and simple until the 18th month of life.

The "filled bonding tank": Why emotional closeness is important

A "filled bond tank" is essential for good sleep. This refers to the emotional, social, and physical reservoir of care and security that your child builds through the relationship with you. A well-filled bond tank means that your child feels safe, loved, and secure, which is so important for emotional and social development. If the bond tank is empty, the child may become insecure and fearful.

When babies cry, they signal a need that must be recognized and met. Whether it is hunger or simply the desire for closeness. When we hold our child in our arms as they cry, a bond and a close relationship are formed, which is essential for the development and strengthening of (primal) trust and security.

Alongside all these things, a good daily routine is also of utmost importance for good baby and toddler sleep. Structures, rituals, sleeping environment, and sleep hygiene factors must be in place.

3 Tips for an Ideal Sleep Routine

  • Observe the waking hours

    Pay attention to your child's awake times between naps and regularly offer opportunities for sleep.

  • Establish fixed daily routines

    A structured daily routine – with set meal times and regular activities – supports your child's sleep: for example, breastfeeding/bottle – hygiene – breakfast – fresh air – breastfeeding/bottle – darkening the room – sleep ritual – nap, etc.

  • Introduce rituals

    Establish recurring elements that signal bedtime – both during the day and in the evening.

How much should babies sleep?

The sleep needs and sleep duration of babies and toddlers vary depending on age and stage of development. Each child is also individual, and just like adults, there are those who sleep a lot and those who sleep little. And did you know that most factors influencing the "internal clock" and sleep habits are inherited?

To give you a small guide on sleep duration and needs, you will find in the following table an overview of the sleep needs in hours from newborns to children up to one year old.

Sleep needs - Age-appropriate guidelines

Your child's need for sleep is one thing, but the following questions are also important in this context: How long can your child stay awake from one sleep to the next without becoming overtired or being put down too early? How many naps does your little one need at what age, and when do changes in daytime naps occur? When should the last daytime nap end at the latest so that nighttime sleep can begin before 9 p.m.?

How long should a child stay awake during the day?

Wakefulness periods and sleep patterns vary from child to child. Some children can stay awake longer. Others become tired quickly and need a nap after just a few hours. It is also important to keep in mind that a nap may start earlier if the previous nap, whether during the day or night, was shorter – for example, because the night’s sleep was interrupted by longer waking phases.

Likewise, a nap may start an hour later if the previous sleep was longer and more restful. The following table provides an overview of wakefulness periods from newborns up to children one year old, measured in hours.

Waiting times - Age-appropriate guidelines

How long do babies and toddlers take to fall asleep?

The time it takes to fall asleep – like many things – depends on age, and there are only general guidelines that parents can follow.

In general, the following applies:

  • Up to an age of 14 months, a falling asleep time between 15 and 25 minutes is completely normal.
  • From an age of 15 months, the time to fall asleep is usually longer and ranges between 25 and 30 minutes.

What are signs of tiredness in children?

Your child's need for sleep is naturally an important aspect, but how long can your child stay awake between naps? This time is also greatly influenced by the activities. When a child is playfully or mentally engaged, they become tired again more quickly.

Of course, signs of tiredness in your child always take precedence! These may be:

  • Rubbing eyes

  • Lay down head

  • increased cuddling

  • increased tearfulness

But if your little miracle does not show any signs, the reference values in the tables are a great guide for you.

Conclusion: Sufficient sleep for healthy growth

Adequate sleep and a regular sleep pattern are essential for your child's development. It not only supports growth and mental development but also helps prevent overtiredness. By ensuring a quiet sleeping environment, fixed rituals, and a clear daily routine, you can positively influence your infant's or toddler's sleep.

If you are unsure or have questions, I am happy to assist you with attachment-focused sleep coaching. I look forward to hearing from you!

Katrin Stötter
Katrin Stötter is a certified, attachment-focused sleep coach for babies (from 6 months) and toddlers (up to 2.5 / 3 years) and is also a mother herself. She supports parents as a professional, empathetic contact person for questions and challenges related to baby and child sleep.

Mehr Informationen über Katrin Stötter findest du hier.

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