Nearly Half of U.S. Kids Lack Adequate Sleep, Survey Shows

Key TakeawaysNearly half of all U.S. children aren’t getting the sleep they needMore than half of parents underestimate their children’s sleep needsParents agree that sleep is important, however.TUESDAY, March 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Nearly half of all U.S. children aren’t getting the sleep they need, a new National Sleep Foundation survey reports.About 44% of children do not consistently get the recommended amount of sleep for their age, according to results from the 2026 Sleep in America Poll.What’s more, parents often underestimate how much sleep their child needs by more than an hour per day, compared to recommendations from experts.“These findings reveal a gap between the sleep children need and what those closest to them say they actually get,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, senior vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation.“Poor sleep in childhood is linked to impaired learning, emotional dysregulation and long-term health consequences,” Dzierzewski said in a news release. “Closing this gap starts with education, and it starts at home.”The amount of sleep kids need varies based on their age, the NSF says:14 to 17 hours of sleep for newborns12 to 15 hours for infants11 to 14 hours for toddlers10 to 13 hours for preschoolers9 to 11 hours for school-aged children8 to 10 hours for teensBut 57% of parents underestimated how much sleep their child needs at their age, the survey found.In particular, parents underestimated the sleep needs of babies and toddlers, with 61% to 78% misjudging the best amount of sleep for children 2 and younger.“Taken together, these findings show a consistent pattern: children are sleeping less than recommended, and parents often believe their children need less sleep than experts advise,” the NSF poll report says. “This combination likely contributes to widespread insufficient sleep across age groups.”Parents do fully understand the importance of sleep, the poll found.About 95% said good sleep is essential to overall family functioning, and 86% report good sleep improves children’s behavior and mood. In all, 4 of 5 parents said their own sleep suffers when their child sleeps poorly.“We’re seeing more signals this year that prompt us to double-down on helping parents and caregivers set the tone for healthy sleep in the household, starting with their support for kids of all ages, but including their own sleep as well,” John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation, said in a news release.“Every family is different and there’s no magic solution, except that deciding to talk to kids now and set a healthy example can help the whole family and travel with kids for a lifetime,” Lopos said.Sleep tips for parents and kids include:Spending time in the sun or bright light in the morning, to jumpstart your body clock.Play or exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.Cut caffeine after noon, including coffee, sodas, teas, energy drinks and snacks containing caffeine.Eat dinner at least two hours before bedtime.Set a wind-down ritual, including a device-free window for at least an hour prior to bedtime.Set a consistent sleep and wake schedule, including weekends.Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet.More informationThe American Academy of Pediatrics has more on healthy sleep habits for children.SOURCES: National Sleep Foundation, news release, March 5, 2026; 2026 Sleep in America Poll, March 5, 2026 .What This Means For YouParents can help their kids get the sleep they need by sticking to good sleep hygiene..Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter

Nearly Half of U.S. Kids Lack Adequate Sleep, Survey Shows

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