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Do we sleep different amounts of time based on how old we are? Yes we do, but there
are other factors to take into consideration. How much recommended sleep by age is
required? Here are some averages under normal circumstances:
Age
Newborn – One month
One – 12 months
One – three years
Three – five years
Five – 12 years
Teenagers
Adults 20 years
and older
These are just averages. Every individual’s needs are different depending not only on
age, but a variety of factors discussed below.
Notice that when the child reaches the teenage or adolescent years, the amount of sleep
required is almost the same (nine – 10 hours). This is because physical growth and
rebuilding happens when we are asleep.
Of course, children grow rapidly and teenagers often go through growth spurts that
can last for months. Enough sleep is completely necessary during times of accelerated
growth. It’s also possible that a change in hormones can alter the amounts of sleep
necessary for young adults and menopausal and pre-menopausal women.
Pregnant and women my need more sleep off and on during the course of the pregnancy.\
There can also be a variety of circumstances that dictate the amount of sleep a person
requires at certain times of his or her life. Emotional or physical trauma or stress of any
kind can affect the amount of sleep a person needs. Some people will also use sleep to
escape stressful and overwhelming circumstances. Depression also can cause a person to
sleep too much.
Sicknesses, weakened immune system, and chronic diseases can make a person feel tired
and in need of more sleep than usual. People recovering from surgery will sleep more
often times. During sleep is when we heal and rebuild our systems, so it is only logical
that we would require more sleep when we need to heal and get well.
Sleep per 24-hours
up to 18 hours
14 -18 hours
12 – 15 hours
11 – 13 hours
9 – 11 hours
9 – 10 hours
7 – 8 hours