Good sleep habits – and poor ones – start early. From the first day home, how and where you put your baby to sleep will be his preference for the next 6 to 12 months. It’s tempting to hold, cuddle, and rock your newborn as he/she sleeps. It is not quite as enjoyable when your 6-month-old needs to be held, cuddled, and rocked multiple times a night. It is important for your child and for you to start a healthy sleep routine right away.

How much sleep is enough?  

The number of hours of sleep your child needs is based on age and becomes less as the child grows.

Age Hours of Sleep
2 – 3 weeks In the first 2 to 3 weeks of life, your infant needs 18 to 20 hours of sleep in a 24-hours.
4 – 12 months By 4 to 12 months of age, your baby needs 12 to 16 hours of sleep, including naps.
1 – 2 years A toddler that is 1 to 2 years old needs 11-14 hours – including naps.
Preschool age A preschooler needs 10 to 13 hours – including naps.
6 – 12 years Grade school/elementary age children, or those 6- to 12-years-old, require 9-12 hours.
13 – 18 years When your teenager tells you he wants to sleep longer, he’s right. Thirteen to 18–year–olds still should get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night. Their circadian rhythm, or sleep cycle, tends to change – sleeping in in the morning and staying up late at night – but they still need their 8 to 10 hours of Z’s.

Where should my child sleep? 

Sleep habits start early. Keeping your child safe is your first priority. Infants should ALWAYS be placed on their back – not their side or tummy. They should have their own sleeping space that is firm and flat. Bed sharing is not recommended under 1 year of age especially for infants less than 4 months of age. Sleeping on a couch, chair, bed, or pillow is not safe. Also sleeping in a car seat, swing, stroller, infant carrier, or sling is not recommended. Move your infant a firm and flat space and soon as possible. Keep the sleeping surface free of pillows, blankets, toys, and bumper pads. Once your baby can roll to his stomach independently and consistently, you may let him sleep on his tummy.                                                                       

Transitioning from a crib to a bed is appropriate around 2-4 years of age. When your child crawls out of his crib this presents a danger. It is time to consider a toddler bed or regular bed. Most children will need some barrier to prevent them from falling to the floor for a while. There is nothing wrong with a mattress on the floor.  

The American Academy of Pediatrics has two new recommendations. Newborns should have a minimum of one hour skin-to-skin time right after birth to promote bonding. The second recommendation is infants should room share with parent(s) until 6-12 months of age.  

How should I put my child to sleep?  

Again, sleep habits start very early. Use baby’s bed just for sleeping and not for playing or discipline. Develop a calming routine that can be used anywhere. Turning the lights down, turning off screens, reading a book, and singing a song are options to try. These are habits that will last into adulthood. Some cuddle time is great – just remember to lay your baby in his bed while he’s still awake.   

For more sleep help, contact your child’s provider or check out the American Academy of Pediatrics parent page.

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Kathryn Obregon, MD
Perham Health Pediatrics