Children's Sleep – Why Sleep Is So Important for Children

Sleep is a basic need – for all of us. But sufficient and restful sleep is especially important for babies and toddlers. Because an incredible amount happens during this early stage of life: growth, development, learning: all of this requires... a lot of sleep!

Why is sleep so important for children?

In the first years of life, sleep is a real key to healthy development – both physically and mentally.

Children process the many impressions of the day during sleep. New experiences, learned skills, motor abilities – all of this is sorted, stored, and consolidated during sleep. At the same time, an intensive growth program runs in the body: cells renew themselves, the immune system works at full speed, growth hormones are released, and so on.

How does children's sleep rhythm develop?

In the first months of life, babies' sleep does not yet follow a fixed day-night rhythm. Instead, feeding times determine the sleep-wake cycle. Day and night? For newborns, it doesn't matter at first -> More on this in our blog post on baby sleep.

With increasing age – especially in toddlerhood – the sleep rhythm slowly begins to stabilize. Sleep cycles become longer, and the proportion of REM sleep (the so-called dream sleep) gradually decreases.

How much sleep does a child need?

The need for sleep is age-dependent – and yet varies from child to child. Some need a little more, others less; deviations of up to 2 hours are therefore completely normal. The German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM) gives the following average values:

The need for daytime sleep also decreases significantly over the years: while more than half of children under three still need a midday nap, only about 35% do so at four years old. In preschool age (5–6 years), only 5–8% of children regularly sleep during the day.

Tips for restful children's sleep

The DGSM provides valuable recommendations on how parents can positively support their child's sleep:

1. Fixed routines: A structured daily routine with regular bedtimes and wake-up times provides security and promotes healthy sleep.
2. Balanced diet: Not hungry, but also not overfed when going to bed. Healthy babies over six months usually no longer need night feeds.
3. Daytime activity: Plenty of outdoor or indoor activity makes you tired – but preferably not shortly before bedtime.
4. Sleep-friendly environment: A quiet, darkened room with a pleasant, rather cool temperature and few stimuli.
5. Quiet evening: No action program before bedtime. The day should end calmly and ideally with a small bedtime ritual.

Beautiful bedtime rituals for children

Bedtime rituals provide security, signal to the body "Now it's time to calm down" – and help children fall asleep more easily. Important here: The ritual should take place regularly and in a similar form.

🌿 Good night spray with lavender & pine

A gentle scent can soothe and aid in falling asleep. Caution: Aromatherapy for children only with appropriate consultation and dosage! Discover our Good Night Spray with Lavender and Pine now.

🛁 Evening bath

A warm bath (not too long!) is relaxing and creates a transition phase between day and night.

💬 Talk about the day

Reflect on the day together in bed: What was the best part? What wasn't so nice? What is the child looking forward to tomorrow? This creates closeness – and helps process experiences.