How Much Sleep Should Your Toddler Get

Even though all toddlers are different, getting at least 12 to 15 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period is essential for growing and feeling well rested. While most use up extreme amounts of energy by constantly moving, playing and learning so many new things each day. They need to recuperate all that they used up to function properly. There isn't many times that toddlers sit still for long periods. My daughter is happiest and most energized when she gets about 12 hours of sleep at night. She stands right up and greets you as you enter her room. She smiles and babbles gibberish, but you don't care that you can't understand her because you just know she is happy and starting off the day on a positive note.

After a good 12 hours of sleep, my daughter Emma interacts better, cooperates better and eats better than if she only had 8 hours of sleep. She listens to an audio cd that plays at a low volume so that it minimizes distractions and noises outside the bedroom or home. It also provides comfort just hearing a voice close by which almost always puts her to sleep within 15 minutes. Getting 12 hours of sleep at night is the right amount necessary for toddlers and also allows a few extra hours for you to get some things done around the house that have been on hold.

In the afternoon my daughter gets a much needed 2 hour nap. After all the running, climbing, dancing, falling, getting up, dropping, picking up and playing with each of her 102 toys for what it seems to be only 10 seconds then placing them in spots never imagined such as in your work lunch box. She gets exhausted and is always ready and willing to lay down for her nap. That equals out to be about 14 hours of sleep in one 24 hour period.

So if your wondering about the 8 or 9 hours of sleep your toddler got last night. If that was enough or why he or she might not cooperate or be friendly towards you greeting you with a 4 tooth smile. Then remember toddlers need to grow and most of them use up more energy than you all day in just a few hours.