Half of American kids are not getting enough sleep
Mar 5, 2026, 4:07 PM
How much sleep do kids need? Are they getting enough?
The National Sleep Foundation recommends 14 to 17 hours for newborns, 12 to 15 for infants, 11 to 14 for toddlers, 10 to 13 for preschoolers and 9 to 11 for school-age children.
Nearly 44% of U.S. children do not consistently get the recommended amount of sleep for their age, according to a March 2026 National Sleep Foundation poll. Younger children are particularly likely to fall short of these, which is a key concern for their physical and mental development.
It’s vitally important for your current and future health: Not only does sleep in your early years set the stage for mental and physical health, but it also creates the foundation for how you sleep later in life, said Dr. Joseph Dzierzewski, senior vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation.
Lastly, while sleep is a priority for many caregivers, they are not having regular conversations with their children about the importance of good sleep. Nearly half never or rarely talk about the subject, according to the report.
Also exercise earlier in the day rather than right before bed, keeping as regular a sleep schedule as possible, including on weekends, and getting light exposure in the morning. “People should expose their eyes to light,” she said, to help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and signal it’s time to wake up.
Read more about the sleep study here
Read more about it here
A rising percentage of U.S. teens aren’t getting enough sleep
