how much do your babies sleep?

I am worried that our boys aren't getting enough sleep. Several of the sleep books say they should be getting 13-14 hours of sleep a day, and they often don't.

They sleep 10-11 hours at night (usually more like 10), and are up once or twice right now while teething (not to eat - just to get a pacifier or sometimes some Tylenol).

During the day, they sometimes only take two 45-minute naps. So a lot of days they are only getting 11.5-12.5 hours of sleep! (some days they do nap more and get up to the 13 hours, but it is fairly rare).

Should I be concerned? They seem pretty happy during the day other than the teething. I just keep reading that they should be getting about 13-14 hours of sleep at this age, and they aren't most days. So how much total do your LO's sleep around this age?? I mean, I can't make them sleep, but should I be worried? I try to get them back to sleep when they take a short nap - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm not sure what else I could do. They have a noise machine, etc. and the level of light doesn't seem to matter either.

 

I wouldn't worry if they seem happy. Our sleep 10.5 hours at night. On the weekends they will take 2 2 hour naps, but at daycare it's much, much less. And they are CRANKY on daycare days.

 

10-11 hours at night and 3 hour naps is average for us. Sometimes they do the nap in one long nap, sometimes broken into two shorter naps. But some days they sleep a lot less. I have noticed that when they have an active day--like going to preschool--the next day they sleep a lot more.

I wouldn't worry. If they seem happy, then they may just not need as much sleep as other babies. 13-14 hours is average and some babies need more and some need less. The one I worry about is YOU--naptime is soooo necessary for mommy recharging and chores.

 

IMO, the books are a guide - not something every single baby will follow exactly. Yours sound like they are doing great - especially if they seem happy!

My boys are actually 10 months today - and it seems that their sleep gets a little better each week. Do you find that their sleep gets more consistent and better? Or has it been the way it is now for the past couple of months? I just notice with mine, they still have short naps sometimes, but it seems less frequent. And, they seem to wake less at night.

 

Mine get 11hrs at night and take 2 naps during the day that are about 1.5hrs each. But somedays the naps are only 40mins-1hr. I wouldn't worry if they seem happy, like a pp said, those books are just guidelines and don't fit everybaby!

 

I agree-the books are a guide. Every child is different. I remember when Anthony and Nicholas were infants-Anthony would take 30 minute naps, while Nicholas could sleep three hours. I talked to the pediatrican about it, and he said every kid was different. Some need more sleep than others. And to this day-Anthony will still take shorter naps than Nicholas.

And, some days they might sleep 13-15 hours, and then you might have a day where you don't even hit 12 hours. Every day is a new day, and every kid is a different kid! As long as they are getting close to the amount, I think you are more than fine.

 

This is SO true! Yesterday, Gabriel took two 40 minute naps, and of course I had tons of chores to do. I ended up having to stay up an hour later that night to get things done. Yuck!

 

For about two or three weeks, they had gotten really consistent, and each nap was an 1-1.5 hours. The last week, they have gone back to the 40 minute naps - it's one or the other of them almost every time this week. I feel like we are going backwards!! They are waking less at night than they used to, but more during naps. Maybe I just can't have both. :laughing:

Anyway, thanks everyone. I just wish they would sleep more so I can get more rest and get more done. But I'm trying to remember how far we've come - they didn't sleep for more than 20-30 min. at a time, day or night, for the first several months. At least it's not like that anymore!!

 

I agree with what everyone else is saing in that I would worry.

Some kids just need less sleep than others. They will go through different sleeping patterns all the time.

My oldest son slept like a champ! The twins on the other hand, are a little different. And each twin is different from the other....everyone is different and the books are just guidelines. Trust your gut and know that if they are happy and content, then all is good.