Is your child having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep? Occasional sleeplessness is usually nothing to worry about, but if your child is suffering from prolonged lack of sleep, it can have harmful physical and mental effects. Your pediatrician can help.

What You Need to Know About Helping Your Child Sleep Better

Sleep helps recharge your child’s body, boost their immune system, lower risk of illness and infection, keep them from overeating, manage stress and emotions, enhance brain health, and increase their ability to concentrate and problem solve.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, babies 4 to 12 months need 12 to 16 hours including naps, toddlers 12 to 24 months need 11 to 14 hours, children 3 to 5 years need 10 to 13 hours, children 6 to 12 years need 9 to 12 hours, and children 13 to 18 years need 8 to 10 hours.

To help your child sleep better, keep screens out of your child’s bedroom, set a bedtime and stick to it, limit caffeine and sugar intake, avoid large meals before bed, and keep your child’s bedroom calming, dark, and quiet. Developing a bedtime ritual like reading or a warm bath is also helpful to induce sleep.