Kip for kids

If your child has got into the habit of going to bed late, it might take a couple of weeks for him or her to settle into the new routine, and you'll probably have to deal with requests to get back out of bed, or pleas of hunger and thirst: it's amazing how starvation can suddenly strike when the lights go out! At the most, offer a few sips of water, but other than this stand firm, going back to check every five or 10 minutes until they're asleep.

Even the most resistant child will usually fall into a routine eventually as long as you are consistent and determined. It will help if you avoid situations where they would normally be allowed to stay up late, such as evening visits to friends, until the new bedtime has become a routine.

Kip for kids - how much do they need?
A good gauge of whether or not your child is getting enough sleep is if you have to wake them in the morning. If he or she wakes up, bright-eyed, without prompting, then sleep-deprivation isn't a problem. However, experts recommend the following sleep allowances:

2 years 13 hours
3 years 12 hours
4 years 12 hours
5 years 11 hours
6 years 11 hours

Further help
If, despite your best efforts, your child is still not getting enough sleep and appears to be suffering as a result, contact your health visitor or GP and ask to be referred to your nearest sleep clinic.