According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the amount of sleep people needs depends on several factors, including their age, individual requirements, and whether they have been getting adequate sleep.1
Typical sleep needs by age group are as follows:1
This table was adapted from a table provided by Sleep Health Centers.2
| Age Group |
Amount of Sleep Needed |
| Infants |
Approximately 16 hours per day |
Toddlers
(1 to 3 years) |
12 to 14 hours per day, including nighttime sleep and daytime naps |
Young Children
(3 to 10 years) |
10 to 13 hours |
| Preteens and Teenagers (10 to 18 years) |
About 9 hours |
| Adults |
For most adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night |
| Older Adults |
Older adults still need 7 to 8 hours of sleep total; however, their sleep may be lighter or last for shorter time periods. |
| Pregnant Women |
During pregnancy, women may need a few more hours of sleep per night or a few short naps during the day. |
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2007). How much sleep do we need? In Brain basics: Understanding sleep. Retrieved May 29, 2012, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm#how_much [top]
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2007). Sleep: A dynamic activity. In Brain basics: Understanding sleep. Retrieved May 29, 2012, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm#dynamic_activity [top]