Is my child low sleep needs?
Another frequently asked question I get is parents wondering if their little one is low sleep needs. They wonder if their little one is getting enough sleep, if they are “low needs” and if so, how to best manage their schedule.
First, we need to discuss what qualifies as low sleep needs. A child with low sleep needs consistently gets lower than the average hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. And that lower amount is truly all the sleep they need. Often, families think their kid has low needs when in reality something else is causing a pattern of getting less sleep.
Click here to find a chart detailing the total sleep averages by age, within a 24 hour period. This starts at 16 hours for birth to 2 months, and gradually decreases to 11-12 hours for 5 year olds. Knowing these averages is only so helpful if you know how to figure out what is causing the low sleep! Let’s tackle some of the main culprits.
Step 1 is helping your little one shift into falling asleep independently. This helps make your data more clear. Assistance to sleep can not only mask true sleep needs, but can also cause wakefulness since the expectation is that you’ll help them to sleep when they cycle back up to light sleep.
Timing plays a large role, too! Finding the wake windows and schedule that work for your specific child can also help drown out the noise. (Click here to get my free wake time guide)
Are you nailing independent sleep and wake times? Still seeing sleep time that is below average? If your little one is sleeping lower than the average time for their age, take a closer look at their demeanor and behavior. If your baby is happy during their wake time, growing well, and developing typically, then you likely do have a low sleep needs little one!
Low sleep needs kids typically have longer than average wake windows, and this can feel scary. Remember that babies and kids don’t read the books; they don't know what they’re ‘supposed’ to do. Whatever works for your little one is always the right answer! A lower sleep needs child isn’t something to fear. Both of my kids are either low average or low needs, and they are happy and well-rested kids! The key is finding the right pieces to your child’s puzzle, and adjusting your expectations of their sleep accordingly. Wake time guides and sample schedules are not for every kid, so if your child isn’t fitting what you’re finding on google, you’re not doing anything wrong. Your little one is unique, and so are their sleep needs. Look to their individual data to show you the way. Need help seeing the data clearly? Email me, let’s find the best way to work together.
