Brigitte Langevin is a sleep specialist. She is a speaker and author whose goal is to improve the quality of sleep and understand dreams. She is the author of several books on the subject. Helping my child sleep provides a great deal of information for parents. She is a dynamic person who is much sought-after for her humour and ability to make theoretical and scientific concepts accessible to all. Nights are more satisfying so performances during the day are improved thanks to her help!

Sleep Needs

Age: 1 week

Nighttime sleep: 8 to 10 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 8 to 10 hours

Comments: Sleep interrupted by frequent wakings-hunger wakes baby up

Age: 1 month

Nighttime sleep: 8 to 10 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 7 to 9 hours

Comments: Sleeps for periods of 3 to 4 hour

Age: 3 months

Nighttime sleep: 9 to 12 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 5 to 6 hours divided into 4 to 6 naps

Comments: Differentiates between night and day-Regular sleep rhythm (goes to bed and wakes up at the same times) should be set

Age: 6 months

Nighttime sleep: 11 to 13 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 3 to 4 hours divided into 3 naps

Comments: One nap in the morning, one in the early afternoon, and a short nap (30 to 45 minutes) at the end of the afternoon

Age: 9 to 12 months

Nighttime sleep: 10 to 12 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 2 to 4 hours divided into 2 naps

Comments: One nap in the morning (between 8:30 and 10:00) and another nap in the early afternoon (between 12:30 and 3:00)

Age: 18 months

Nighttime sleep: 10 to 12 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 2 to 3 hours in a single nap

Comments: One long nap in the early afternoon (between 12:30 and 15:00)

Age: 2-3 years old

Nighttime sleep: 10 to 12 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 1.5 to 2 hours

Comments: One nap in the early afternoon (between 12:30 and 3:00)

Age: 4-5 years old

Nighttime sleep: 10 to 12 hours

Daytime sleep (naps): 30 to 45 minutes

Comments: Relaxation period after lunch (approximately 45 minutes)

Age: 6 to 12 years old

Nighttime sleep: 10 to 12 hours

Comments: Total hours of sleep can decrease by 15 minutes per year. Bedtime is determined by the child's sleep needs and the time which he must get up for school

Age: 13 to 16 years old

Nighttime sleep: 9 to 11 hours

Comments: Teenagers do not sleep enough on weekdays. They often sleep nearly 14 hours per night on weekends to recuperate

Please note:

• Before 6 months of age, a baby should not be kept awake for more than two hours at a time.
  
  
• A baby (or child) who wakes up crying in the morning or after a nap is often a baby who has not slept enough. It is preferable to let him go back to sleep instead of picking him up.
  
  
• If a baby (or child) wakes up in a good mood after a 30 to 45 minute nap but falls asleep within the hour, the nap was not long enough. It is preferable to let the child go back to sleep instead of picking him up.

Brigitte Langevin, author
Speaker and teacher

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