The information on this page about sleep development, from birth to 18 years old, is general advice that applies to all children. It also applies to children with epilepsy.
The skill of sleep
We develop sleep like we develop many other skills.
Sleep patterns and needs change greatly in the first months and years of life, and continue to develop right up to late adolescence.
The information below shows you what to expect at different stages of development.
It also offers some general advice on things you can do to encourage healthy sleep in your child.
If your child has a specific sleep problem, or you have a particular concern, talk to your child’s GP or health visitor for further advice.
This information is based on A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep: Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Problems by Jodi A. Mindell and Judith A. Owens (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2010)
- Learn about monitoring seizures at night