Many new parents worry about when their babies should sleep in their own room and this is actually a frequent topic of debate. Some babies sleep best in the same bed as their parents, others in a bassinette nearby and others in a separate room. Because there is always conflicting advice, it’s hard to know the right steps for your baby. The reality is that where your baby sleeps depends on his progress as well as your level of comfort. Here are some tips to help you decide when your baby should have his own room.
When Should Babies Sleep in Their Own Room?
When you first bring your baby home, you naturally want them to be close to you all of the time but you should avoid having them sleep in the same bed as you as this may increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and there is a chance of accidentally smothering your baby.
A crib in your room is an excellent option as it helps you recognize your baby’s breathing patterns, gives you peace of mind and helps with feedings. Healthy babies can go into their own rooms when they are four to six weeks. Some parents prefer to keep their babies with them for longer and that is fine as well. The only thing to keep in mind is that sometimes it can be very hard to sleep with your baby in the same room and can make it harder to restore intimacy to your relationship.
Experience of Other Moms:
“Our baby girl is 10 ½ months and she still sleeps in our room in her crib. Sometimes in the morning she ends up in bed where she can cuddle with me. I enjoy having her close to me and I think it will help her to get the chance to cuddle with us while she’s young. For now, I don’t mind missing a bit of sleep to spend more time with her.”
“When should babies sleep in their own room? I have a three-week old son and we started by having him sleep in our room in a bassinet. I would get up every few hours and take him into his room to breastfeed and change him and it really drained me. Last night after feeding him, we cuddled in the twin bed in his room and both slept for much longer than normal. I’m not worried about hurting him because I’m a light sleeper and he really enjoyed snuggling and we both liked the rest.”
Pros and Cons of Co-Sleeping and Separate Rooms
1. Pros and Cons of Co-Sleeping
Co-sleeping is when your baby shares your bed with you and this is traditional in many cultures. While it was almost never recommended in western cultures 50 years ago, now many parents are starting to choose co-sleeping.
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Pros |
Cons |
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It helps the baby feel secure and safe. The close bodily contact also helps with bonding. |
It can be considered coddling and makes it hard for the baby to learn to self-settle. |
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It makes it much easier to get up in the middle of the night for feedings or to change your baby’s diaper. |
Your baby might not settle down if you aren’t near. It can also make the transition to his own room harder. |
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Some people think that babies who co-sleep breastfeed more despite disturbing their mom’s sleep less. |
There is no chance for intimacy. |
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Some studies show that co-sleeping can help babies sleep for longer durations at night. |
It has been connected to SIDS. A scary study by University of Warwick and University of Bristol found that in 80 cases of SIDS, 54% of the babies co-slept. |
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Some parents can’t sleep at all if the baby is in the same bed. |
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Other dangers include suffocating the baby accidentally, bedding blocking his airway, the baby falling off the bed and the baby overheating. |
2. Pros and Cons of Separate Rooms
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Pros |
Cons |
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It is much easier to sleep without constant baby noises. |
It is harder to get up and feed the baby at night. |
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Babies can learn to self-settle sooner. |
It can be harder to get the baby to settle back down after feeding. |
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If the baby shares a room with a sibling, the sibling may be happy about the equal sleeping arrangements. |
Some parents miss the closeness. |
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Only one parents’ sleep is disturbed when the baby wakes up. |
Some parents will worry about their babies more. |
How to Move Your Babies to Their Own Rooms
1. Is Your Baby Ready?
Babies have different personalities so some will do well in their own rooms while others won’t. Pay attention to whether your child is independent or a “mommy’s boy”. If you are concerned about SIDS, keep your baby in the same room as you until he is five or six months.
2. How Can You Make Your Babies Sleep in Their Own Room?
Slowly move your baby into his own room. Put the crib by your door a few nights, then into the hallway and finally his room. You can make it easier for your baby if he has a good nighttime routine. You can also consider transitioning with naps in his room first.
Try to move your baby to his own room when you don’t have to work the next day. It also helps to have an active day so he’s too tired to resist.
Watch this video for some interesting tips on how to successfully make babies sleep in their own room:
3. What Can You Do After Moving Your Babies to Their Own Room?
Be prepared for your child to end up back in your bed every once in a while due to a nightmare or other problem. If you’re worried about it becoming a habit, only let your child stay with you for half an hour before taking him back to his room and going through the normal bedtime routine again.
