How Much Sleep Do I Need?
An article was published in March of 2015 by the National Sleep Foundation that looked into the recommended amount of sleep needed for each age group. The panel that worked on the study consisted of 18 individuals who were either sleep experts, or experts in their own disciplinary field (science, physiology, or medicine). [1]
As you might expect, the amount of sleep needed each night will vary quite a lot depending on the individual person and their age. [1]
The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM) was used during the review in order to formulate the sleep duration recommendations. It should be mentioned that this method is regarded as a “well-recognized technique for systematically analyzing experts’ interpretations of extant research.” [1]
The results of the review can be seen in the table below (Table 1.1).
| Classification | Age | Recommended (hours) | May Be Appropriate (hours) | Not Recommended (hours) |
| Newborns | 0-3 months | 14-17 | 11-13 18-19 | Less than 11 More than 12 |
| Infants | 4-11 months | 12-15 | 10-11 16-18 | Less than 10 More than 18 |
| Toddlers | 1-2 years | 11-14 | 9-10 15-16 | Less than 9 More than 16 |
| Pre-schoolers | 3-5 years | 10-13 | 8-9 14 | Less than 8 More than 14 |
| School-aged children | 6-13 years | 9-11 | 7-8 12 | Less than 7 More than 12 |
| Teenagers | 14-17 years | 8-10 | 7 11 | Less than 7 More than 11 |
| Young adults | 18-25 years | 7-9 | 6 10-11 | Less than 6 More than 11 |
| Adults | 26-64 years | 7-9 | 6 10 | Less than 6 More than 10 |
| Older adults | Over 65 years | 7-8 | 5-6 9 | Less than 5 More than 9 |
(Note that these guidelines are primarily focused towards healthy individuals, and not for people who are suffering from a sleep disorder.)
Another review by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS) came to the conclusion that “adults should get 7 or more hours of sleep per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health.” [2]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Much Sleep Does a Baby Need?
Babies need a lot more sleep compared to adults due to their underdeveloped physical and mental state.
It is important to contact a pediatrician if you believe your baby is not getting enough sleep. This could mean they are suffering from a sleep disorder (or other medical condition) that hinders their ability to get enough rest. A pediatrician will be able to refer you to a sleep specialist, or recommend other treatment options that are available.
If a baby is unable to get enough rest then the best solution may be to adjust their sleep schedule and/or the environment they sleep in.
How Much Sleep Does a Teenager Need?
8-10 hours
According to the National Sleep Foundation the recommended amount of sleep needed by a teenager is between 8-10 hours.
How Much Sleep Does an Adult Need?
7-9 hours
According to the National Sleep Foundation the recommended amount of sleep needed by an adult is between 7-9 hours.
References
- Hirshkowitz, M., Whiton, K., Albert, S.M., Alessi, C., Bruni, O., DonCarlos, L., Hazen, N., Herman, J., Katz, E.S., Kheirandish-Gozal, L. and Neubauer, D.N., 2015. National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. Sleep Health, 1(1), pp.40-43.
- Badr, M.S., Belenky, G., Bliwise, D.L., Buxton, O.M., Buysse, D., Dinges, D.F., Gangwisch, J., Grandner, M.A., Kushida, C., Malhotra, R.K. and Martin, J.L., 2015. Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 11(06), pp.591-592.
DISCLAMER: The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for proper medical attention. If you would like to know more then please read our disclaimer.