How are age and sleep related? As we get older, sleep needs and preferences change naturally. Sleep experts at the Sleep Foundation, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) have researched and published recommendations for the amount of sleep needed for adults and children at different stages of life. In general, these organizations closely coincide in their findings. Read on to learn more about how much sleep you really need at each stage, and how Kitelinens can be your sheets for better sleep at many different ages.
Improving sleep for infants and toddlers
According to researchers, newborn babies 0-3 months old should get 14-17 hours of sleep. As babies grow to 4-11 months old, the recommendation changes slightly to 12-15 hours of sleep.
Of course, it is normal and expected that babies younger than 4 months will wake during the night. Beginning at about 4 months, you can start helping your baby learn to sleep through the night. Until then, your young infant will be plenty full on a liquid (breastmilk or formula) diet, without using solids. Make the baby’s last feeding part of his bedtime routine. And try to put your baby down while he is still awake, but drowsy. If you have concerns about your child’s weight gain or sleep patterns, talk to your health care provider. Check out these sleep tips for infants and toddlers ages 0-3 for more help with sleep at this age.
Pre-school age and sleep
As babies become toddlers, experts recommend 1-2 year olds get 11-14 hours of sleep per night. Pre-schoolers (ages 3-5 years old) should get 10-13 hours per night.
Middle school age and sleep
From ages 6-13 years old, experts recommend children get 9-11 hours of sleep per night.
Teenagers: recommendations and sheets for better sleep
Teenagers 14-17 years old should strive for 8-10 hours of sleep per night, not always easy as schoolwork, extracurricular activities and social schedules cut into sleep time.
Studies have found that many teens have trouble falling asleep at their recommended bedtimes, and it’s not because they don't want to. Teenagers’ brains naturally work on later schedules and aren't ready for bed. During adolescence, the body's circadian rhythm is reset, telling a teen to fall asleep later at night and wake up later in the morning. This change in the circadian rhythm seems to happen because a teen's brain makes the hormone melatonin later at night than the brains of younger kids and older adults do. Melatonin is crucial for regulating a person's sleep–wake cycles.To help teenagers, we recommend Kitelinens sheets for better sleep. Not only is our 100% cotton sateen super soft on sensitive teenage skin that might be experiencing break-outs, but the hybrid design of Stay-Tucked sheets means your teenager can make their bed in seconds every morning - a healthy, tidy habit to establish. Kitelinens are the sheets for better sleep for teenagers, and for better, more productive mornings.
How much sleep should adults be getting?
Sleep experts recommended that young adults 18-25 years old get 7-9 hours per night.This recommended tim between the sheets remains the same for the longest stretch of life, from approximately age 26 to 64 years old. Since these are the years when many people are juggling a family and career, hitting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep consistently can be daunting. Kitelinens can help! Our Stay-Tucked sheets for better sleep make the chore of making your bed every morning simpler and faster, so you can snooze for a few more moments in the morning and wake up with less stress.
Older age and sleep
Needing less sleep in old age is a myth, according to experts. 7-8 hours per night are recommended for older adults. As people age, they may find themselves having a harder time falling and staying asleep. Getting enough sleep keeps you healthy and alert. Adequate sleep can also help reduce your risk of falls, improve your overall mental well-being, and have many other benefits. Learn more about the importance of getting a good night’s sleep over age 65 via the National Institute on Aging.
Tips for better sleep for all ages
Regardless of age, here are some important tips to take into consideration for getting a good night’s rest:
- Don’t overlook the importance of sleep position. According to experts at Johns Hopkins, sleep position can affect back and neck pain, snoring and sleep apnea, acid reflux and heartburn and even skin appearance. Check out our tips on sleep positions here.
- Keep your bedroom clean and organized. See our tips on doing that easily here.
- Keep your bedroom dark, cool and “cave-like”. Most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
- Use Kitelinens sheets for better sleep. Spend less time making your bed in the morning and more time getting your recommended hours of Zz’s with Kitelinens Stay-Tucked sheets. They’re great sheets for kids, teens, adults and older people alike.