Safe sleep basics
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following to reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sleep-related suffocation. Follow them for naps and nighttime until the first birthday.
- Place your baby on their back for every sleep. Not on the tummy or side.
- Use a firm, flat mattress with only a fitted sheet. No inclined sleepers, and do not let your baby sleep on a sofa, armchair or soft bedding.
- Keep pillows, blankets, bumpers, stuffed toys and cushions out of the sleep space. If it is cold, use a wearable blanket (sleep sack) instead of a loose blanket.
- Room-share without bed-sharing: baby sleeps in your room but on their own sleep surface (recommended for at least the first 6 months). Sleeping in an adult bed together is not recommended.
- Avoid overheating and covering the head. Keep the home smoke-free.
- Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of trying to roll.
Sleep needs by age (per 24 hours, including naps)
These ranges come from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and are endorsed by the AAP. Children vary a lot within them, and how your child does during the day matters more than the number.
- Newborn to 3 months: no recommended range is set because it varies so much; waking every 2 to 3 hours to feed, day and night, is normal.
- 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours
- 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours
- 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
- 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
Building a bedtime routine
- Repeat a short routine at about the same time each night in the same order (bath, pajamas, book, goodnight).
- Keep days bright and nights dark and quiet to help set the body clock.
- Putting your baby down drowsy but awake lets them practice falling asleep on their own.
- Turn off screens (TV, phone, tablet) for the hour before bed and keep screens out of the bedroom.
- Naps naturally decrease with age. Long, late naps can push bedtime later.
Frequent night waking
Waking at night is normal in the first year. After a few months, more babies sleep longer stretches, but they may wake more again during growth spurts, teething, illness or when separation anxiety appears.
There are several sleep-training approaches (gradual retreat, checking at set intervals and others); choose one that fits your family. It is usually considered after about 6 months, and if your baby is ill or has weight-gain problems, talk with a doctor first. Whatever the method, consistency matters most.
Toddlers and preschoolers may resist bedtime or have nightmares or night terrors. During a night terror the child may look awake but is actually in deep sleep, so do not force them awake; just keep them safe.
Signs to see a doctor
- Snoring almost every night, with pauses in breathing or waking up gasping
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating or marked irritability despite seemingly enough sleep
- Breathing that looks labored during sleep, or lips turning blue
- Sleep problems wearing parents out so much that daily life is hard; parents' sleep is a valid reason to get help too
FAQ
Isn't side sleeping safer in case my baby spits up?
No. Healthy babies on their backs have reflexes to swallow or cough up spit-up. The AAP recommends back sleeping every time. If a different position is needed for medical reasons, your doctor will tell you.
Can my baby sleep in our bed?
The AAP recommends room-sharing on the baby's own firm, flat surface and does not recommend sharing an adult bed. Falling asleep holding a baby on a sofa or armchair is especially dangerous.
How much should a 1-year-old sleep?
Per the AASM, 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours a day including naps. If your child plays and does well during the day, differences within the range are nothing to worry about.
When should we stop swaddling?
Stop once your baby shows signs of trying to roll, because rolling onto the tummy while swaddled is dangerous. After that, a sleep sack with free arms can be used.
Sources
- AAP safe infant sleep recommendations (2022)
- AAP HealthyChildren.org
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommended sleep durations
- Korean Pediatric Society
- WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5
Medical information is for reference only. This is general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your child's doctor. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.
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