Sleep Requirements for Different Groups  

Sleep is part of our everyday life. Without it, we can’t function properly. Putting this in mind, the quantity and the quality of our sleep is therefore important to our overall wellness and health. If you’re wondering how much sleep you should get, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in the United States has the answers.

The NSF procured the help of many scientists in the fields of paediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics and gynaecology who spent more than 2 years to come up with this study. Singaporeans can benefit from this study as well. The NSF released a chart that shows the recommended sleep for optimal health for each age bracket. These are:

• New-borns (0-3 months): The range of sleep for new-borns is from 14 to 17 hours every day.
• Infants (4-11 months): The range of sleep for infants is from 12 to 15 hours every day.
• Toddlers (1-2 years): The range of sleep for toddlers is from 11 to 14 hours every day.
• Pre-schoolers (3-5 years): The range of sleep for pre-schoolers is from 10 to 13 hours every day.

• School age children (6-13 years): The range of sleep for school children is from 9 to 11 hours every day.
• Teenagers (14-17 years): The range of sleep for teenagers is from 8 to 10 hours every day.
• Younger adults (18-25 years): The range of sleep for younger adults is from 7 to 9 hours every day.
• Adults (26-64 years): The range of sleep for adults is from 7 to 9 hours every day.
• Older adults (65+ years): The range of sleep for older adults is from 7 to 8 hours every day.

The new study of NSF will surely help all Singaporeans in terms of quality of sleep.