Your Child’s Sleep Diary

Children differ in how much sleep they need, how long it takes them to fall asleep, and how easily they wake up. If you are concerned about your child’s sleep habits, talk with your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor may ask you to keep a sleep diary to help track your child’s sleep habits. Here is a sample chart.

Day of the Week

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Date

Where your child sleeps

Average hours of sleep at night

What your child needs to fall asleep (for example, a favorite toy or blanket)\*

How often your child wakes up during the night

How you comfort and console your child when they wake up during the night

The timing and length of naps

Any changes or stresses in the home

\* Children younger than 1 year should be placed on their backs to sleep on a firm, flat sleep surface with no objects, such as toys or blankets, that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation.

Disclaimer

Adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) brochure Sleep Problems in Children .

The AAP is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

In all aspects of its publishing program (writing, review, and production), the AAP is committed to promoting principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Copyright © American Academy of Pediatrics Date Updated: Apr 03 2025 00:06 Version 0.1

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Is Your Child Sick?®

latest news

starfish
February 12, 2026
There have been cases of measles in NC, with exposures in Chapel Hill, Durham, and Wake County. We can give the MMR dose early to families who want it. This applies to infants 6-12 months who have not gotten a dose yet or kids under 4-5 years who have not gotten their second MMR dose. At this time, the NC DHHS and health departments are not recommending this unless traveling or living in an area with sustained transmission. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective (97%) at preventing measles infections. At CHCAC, children receive their first dose at 12 months of age and a second dose at 4 years of age, ensuring they are fully protected as soon as possible, in accordance with the most up-to-date AAP recommendations. Some infants aged 6 months to 11 months who travel internationally or in high-prevalence areas may need a dose to protect them; however, they still require the 1-year and 4-year-old doses as well. If you are ever concerned about a possible exposure to measles, please CALL before entering our office. DO NOT ENTER the office. NC DHHS keeps a list of areas with measles exposures here . This is a highly contagious illness, and special precautions must be taken to prevent spread. The virus can be present in the air for 2 hours after an infected person is in the room, and 90% of susceptible patients can be infected. As always, if you have questions, we are here to help make sense of it all!