So how many hours should your child be sleeping? Should the child take long naps during the day? Are you worried that your child is not getting enough sleep because he does not sleep during the day?

Don’t worry! These questions have perplexed both parents and investigators for centuries! And the last word is not out yet.

A recent review of from Australia of sleep studies in children [1] came up with some insightful observations:

• By the age of two, many children should be sleeping during the night for about 10 to 11 hours, and getting about one to three hours during the day.
• Children who take long naps, and still have no difficulty falling asleep at bedtime or waking up on their own in the morning, are probably getting the right amount of rest,
• The analysis found links between naps and later bedtimes, shorter periods of sleep at night, and waking up more often during the night.
• Anxiety and worry appeared more common in children who didn’t nap, some studies found, but other research suggested a link between longer naps and children acting more withdrawn or depressed.

So what should you do? According to me, it is important not to fret too much.

• Do not have fixed ideas that my child must sleep these many hours during the night and so many hours during the day. If the child is active, playful and not irritable or depressed then your child’s system is comfortable with the amount of sleep that she is getting.
• When you are attempting to put your child to sleep in the day, do try to time this after a period of physical activity so that the child is tired and more likely to fall asleep.
• Do make surroundings conducive to sleep. Shut off all electronic devices including the TV, try to create a darkened room in a separate room. After the child has fallen asleep, you can always get back to your routine. Do not tell terribly exciting stories while putting him to sleep

We all hope that our toddlers sleep just a wee bit more. After all, it is so difficult to keep up with your bundle of joy AND energy! Our own household chores and professional work keeps piling up.
1. http://bmj.co/1BHOmho