Sleep is a crucial component of a child’s overall health and well-being. However, many children do not get an adequate amount of rest. Approximately 69 percent of children under the age of 10 experience some difficulty with sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. 

Sleep requirements vary significantly from one age range to another and from child to child. Newborns often sleep up to 16 hours a day or more. As children grow older, they generally require less sleep. By the teenage years, most children require over 9 hours of sleep each night.

Many children have difficulty getting a full night’s rest because of various sleep problems. Common difficulties that interfere with children’s sleep include insomnia, bedwetting, breathing problems (e.g., sleep apnea, snoring) and nightmares, among others.

Some sleep problems (e.g., occasional nightmares, minor snoring) may not require treatment. In many cases, children will simply outgrow these conditions over time. However, other problems may require treatment such as lifestyle changes, medications, surgery or use of medical devices. Perhaps the single most important thing parents and caregivers can do is to help children establish good sleep habits early in life.