How Babies Sleep in Japan

Before becoming parents, we did not realize how many different sleeping styles families use for babies in Japan.👶💤

Our baby sleeps in a baby bed at home, but we also know families who sleep on floor futons, use side-by-side beds, or practice co-sleeping. In Japan, sleeping on floor bedding is still common in some homes, especially because it can feel practical for small children and easier for preventing falls.

We were also surprised to learn that many Japanese daycare centers use small beds called “cots” for nap time.

As we started parenting, we realized that baby sleep in Japan often involves balancing comfort, practicality, seasons, and safety.

Because Japan can be very humid during summer and cold during winter, many families use breathable fabrics and adjust layers carefully depending on the season.

Like many parents, we also try to pay attention to safe sleep habits for our baby. We try to keep the sleep space as simple and breathable as possible, avoid overheating, and place our baby on their back during sleep.

Some families in Japan also practice co-sleeping or use bed-in-bed styles, but we personally try to stay mindful about safe sleep recommendations and reducing risks related to suffocation or SIDS.

Before having a baby, we never thought so much about sleeping environments, fabrics, temperature, and nighttime routines. But after becoming parents, sleep slowly became one of the most important parts of everyday family life.

Of course, every family is different, but learning about different baby sleep styles in Japan has become one of the interesting parts of parenting for us 🇯🇵

Baby Items We Used During Sleep Time

A baby bed and breathable fitted sheets became some of the items we used most often during everyday baby life in Japan.

↓(These were not available on Amazon.com, so I’d like to share the link for Amazon.co.jp instead.)