Sleep is important for children's growth, development, and overall health. Help your child develop good sleep habits early so they can get the sleep they need.

Keep the sleep schedule the same every day. Set regular bedtimes, wake-up times, and nap times for your child. If your child no longer takes naps, schedule some quiet time during the day.

Have a relaxing bedtime routine for your child. It should take about 30 minutes and can include going to the bathroom, getting a diaper change, brushing teeth, and quiet activities like story time. If your child has trouble falling asleep, you can try:

• Letting them sleep with a special toy or blanket
• Having a night-light in their bedroom if they are afraid of the dark
• Using a white noise machine, electric fan, or soft music if noise from outside the room keeps them awake

Make the bedroom quiet and restful. Don't keep a TV, phone, computer, video games, or any other screens in your child's room.

What to do about nighttime awakenings. Follow these tips if your child gets up in the middle of the night:

• If your child calls out to you, don't answer right away. Give them a chance to fall asleep without your help.
• If your child is afraid or becomes very upset, go offer comfort.
• If your child gets out of bed, calmly take them back to bed.
• After returning your child to bed and offering comfort (if needed), say that it's time to go to sleep. Keep your visit to about 1 minute.
• If your child cries when you leave, wait a few minutes before going back into their room.
• Do not lie with your child until they fall asleep or let your child fall asleep somewhere other than their bed. This can make it hard for kids to fall asleep on their own.

Encourage habits during the day that help your child get better sleep at night. Help your child limit caffeine (found in tea, soda, and chocolate), especially in the late afternoon and evening. Caffeine can keep your child awake or make it harder for them to fall asleep. Encourage your child to get plenty of physical activity. This can help them sleep better.

• Your child has trouble sleeping, frequent nightmares, or often wakes during the night.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's sleep.
• Your child snores.

How much sleep does my child need? Although it can vary, toddlers (1–2 years) need 11–14 hours a day, including naps, and preschoolers (3–5 years) need 10–13 hours a day, including naps.

How often should my child nap? While every child has different needs, in general:

• Toddlers (1–2 years) may still take two naps, but most drop down to one nap a day by 18 months.
• Preschoolers (3–5 years) get enough sleep at night and give up their afternoon nap during these years.
• School-age kids (6–12 years) should get all their sleep at night. If your older child regularly naps, consider whether they need an earlier bedtime to get more sleep at night.