Every parent of a young child knows from personal experience that high-quality sleep is foundational to overall health, cognitive function, and emotional regulation. However, this is true for every member of the family, no matter how small. The sleep patterns established in infancy and early childhood can have significant developmental impacts, including socio-emotional delays, difficulty with self-regulation, and cognitive development, making safe, healthy sleep routines critical.
Research included in the Journal for Infant Behavior and Development suggests that a child’s sleep needs shift biologically as their brain develops, and being aware of these developments should inform family sleep practices. For example, newborns (0–3 months) should sleep 14–17 hours a day in short, irregular sleep cycles and their sleep is driven by feeding, not a circadian rhythm. Infants (4–12 months) sleep a total of 12–16 hours, their sleep consolidates into longer nighttime stretches, and their circadian rhythms begin to emerge. Toddlers (1–2 years) sleep 11–14 hours with more predictable sleep to wake patterns, however night wakings may persist but often decrease or end by age three.
It’s important to note that sleep maturation is neurologically driven but is also shaped by caregiving, so consistency in routines and care is key.
Science supports a safe and reliable sleep environment with a consistent and a predictable daily sleep routine in alignment with a child’s developmental sleep needs are associated with the greatest outcomes.
In addition to understanding a child’s sleep patterns are a big part of their biological development, mastering the safest practices for infant sleep is critical for all caregivers, in the home and in childcare settings.
The American Academy of Pediatrics presents clear, evidence-based safety guidance. Core sleep recommendations include: always placing infants on their back to sleep. A crib or bassinet should have a properly fitted sheet only, with no blankets, pillows, bumpers, or stuffed toys. Infants and children should be sleeping on their own, preferably in a shared room with their parents or caregiver. Infants and children should be in light clothing, with no bundling or swaddling. Studies support infants and toddlers being offered a pacifier, at naps and bedtime. During waking hours, supervised motor development activities for babies like Tummy Time also support safer sleep.
Studies indicate that in infancy and early childhood, parenting influences sleep and sleep influences parenting behaviors (Dahl & El-Sheikh, 2007). The parental behaviors that most greatly influence infant sleep include emotional availability, stress management, mental health, and consistency of family routines. Evidence supports that consistent bedtime routines, responsive parenting, clear boundaries, and putting babies and toddlers down to sleep drowsy, but awake builds the greatest foundation for healthy, restful sleep.
Overwhelmed by conflicting advice? Turn to your community for support. Lincoln Park Preschool and Kindergarten is committed to holistic well-being for all children and elevating and educating their community. LPP provides science-backed, expert resources to families who might be struggling with any aspect of early childhood development, including sleep routines. LPP’s expert staff is equipped with extensive training to best support and encourage safe and healthy habits for every aspect of a young child’s life. For more information visit: lppschools.com
