How much sleep does a baby or toddler need? Australian ranges, age by age
The Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines give sleep ranges from birth to 5. Here they are, with what a normal day and night tend to look like at each age.
Journal
Short, plain answers to the questions parents ask at 3am, with the sources listed underneath.
Getting help
Free baby sleep help in Australia, state by state, and when a sleep consultant is worth paying for
Start with your child health nurse, who is free and can refer you to residential programs like Tresillian, Karitane, Ngala or the Ellen Barron Family Centre. National lines include Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 and the Red Nose Safe Sleep Advice Line on 1300 998 698. A private sleep consultant can help when you want a plan for your child, quicker, and someone checking in while it settles.
Read itIs it a sleep regression? What's actually going on at 4 months, 18 months and 2 years
Researchers haven't found fixed regression ages. Here's what the evidence says about sleep changes at 4 months, 18 months and 2 years, and what usually helps.
Is sleep training harmful? What the Australian studies found
Melbourne and Adelaide trials followed families for up to five years. Here's what they found about settling methods, stress and attachment, and why under 6 months is different.
When do toddlers drop their nap? Ages, signs and what to do on no-nap days
A University of Queensland meta-analysis found under 2.5% of children stop napping before 2 and 94% by 5. Here's how the change usually happens.