Do some children just not need much sleep?

[KylieKangaroo]

Both kids 2 and 7 go to bed late around 9/930 but still up at 6:45! Just doesn't seem like enough sleep to me for either of them. Not sure what's going on as I guarantee when the eldest is back at school she won't be able to get out of bed 🙄😅 Do we need the dark mornings back now or do some children just not need much sleep?

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/procedures-and-treatments/sleep-hygiene-children/

The NHS seems to suggest the 7 year old is in the realms of normal.

Depending on if the 2 year old naps, that could be ok too.

My oldest was always at the bottom end odlf the recommendation. He's doing just fine now, at secondary, and still a sleep dodger.

How are they during the day? Tired, emotional, grumpy. Some kids need less than others but when ever I’m at school assemblies I would say about 1/4 of the class look exhausted - guaranteed some of them will look tired and not been tired but others clearly need more sleep.

My 3 year old is the same. His usual is now 9pm-6am. On bad days it’s 10pm-5.30am. No naps bar the occasional car nap on long days out.

I spoke to the paediatrician about it, as he’s never slept well, even as a young baby he would be wide awake way longer than other babies. The paediatrician wasn’t at all concerned and said 8hrs is fine, and some children just don’t need much, like some adults.

Ds is always on the go also, so dh and I are usually tired before he is!

Both DC were like this, both have ADHD

My youngest (now 15) didn't seem to need much sleep. We did all the things you're supposed to do to establish a relaxing evening routine and she just wouldn't sleep until late. Still got up at the crack of dawn, plenty of energy. She just didn't seem to need it.
She's a teenager now and still has trouble some nights in getting to sleep, although she can sleep quite late in the morning.
If your 7 year old struggles to wake for school though, then that does seem like his sleeping pattern is a bit off. But generally I do believe some kids do just need less than others and are still fine during the day.

I'm glad it's not just us, selfishly 😅 sometimes think that I must have done something wrong somewhere! I met another mum who said her daughter sleeps 12 hours a night and I was so jealous 😅