Here’s what you need to know about how to stop co-sleeping, whether there’s a right (or wrong) time to do it and how to make the transition as smooth as possible. Co-sleeping is the act of a newborn, baby, or child sleeping close to one or both parents. But co-sleeping can also mean simply putting baby to sleep in the same room as you but in a separate bed. Then we both got a cold. That worked well for a few months, but Warren-Lee knew she had to move Bennett into his own room for good, and getting pregnant with her second child was the motivation she needed. Gradually mom or dad begins helping him learn to fall asleep with less and less body contact, and resists snuggling during the night as much as possible. Babies should be slept in a clear sleep space, which is easy to create in a cot or Moses basket. Putting your baby or toddler into your bed to sleep isn’t safe or recommended, especially before age 1. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. Co-sleeping is associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents in some circumstances. And while it might be tempting to bring her into your bed for those last few hours of sleep after she wakes or feeds, she won’t get why it’s OK at 4 a.m., but not midnight. For kids who are in a bed and able to get out, some parents gently walk them back to their bed and say good night again. It’s also okay to point out that parents need time by themselves. 12 things to stop telling a parent who co-sleeps. When it comes to bedtime, go through a calming and consistent bedtime routine every night, and make sure you include lots of cuddle time, says McGinn. Only took 45 minutes and a few tears last night and he's gone down in 10 minutes with no tears at all tonight. We used Ferber’s method. Whether you’ve got a new baby on the way, you and your kid are not sleeping well or you’re just ready to have your bed back, here’s how to make your child’s transition out of your sleeping space and into their own as smooth as possible, no matter their age. It can be helpful for your baby to sense you are near, so some moms sleep with their baby’s bed sheet before putting it in the crib. To ease the transition, consider putting a mattress on the floor in your kid’s room, and sleeping there for a few nights, suggests Briggs. Checklist for Safe Co-Sleeping By. We know however that families also bed share, and so recommend making your bed a safer place for baby whether you doze off accidentally, or choose to bed share. The father had been sleeping with the infant. She stopped after the birth of her third child because there was no room in the bed. There’s no right or wrong way to transition from co-sleeping, and your pediatrician can certainly weigh in on what might work well for your child. Shannon Lambert co-slept with her eight-year-old son until he was almost seven. Certain milestones like separation anxiety begin to ramp up at this age. by Jill (San Clemente, Ca, USA) Question: We are transitioning our 9 month old daughter to her own crib from the arms reach cosleeper crib in our room. Tell your kid you know they can do it, then stick to your guns by not allowing them into your bed at all during the night. Here are some smart strategies for making the transition from co-sleeping easy (or at least easier) on everyone. He might simply feel scared about being on his own–in which case you can reassure him that you are nearby, and that his room is safe. “In public now, I can’t even kiss or hug him goodbye. And doing that gets the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) seal of approval. (Room-sharing — having your baby sleep in your room in her own crib or bassinet — is also sometimes called co-sleeping. If your baby is 9-12 months old and sleep is still a misery (20 minute naps, bedtime battles, baby up all night, unwilling co-sleeping, only sleeps on Mom’s boob, etc.) Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. With consistent use of strategies and limits regarding sleeping in their own bed, most children will learn typical sleep habits and patterns and remain in their beds for the duration of the night within 1-2 months. LG has just turned 9 months. A calm, soothing pre-bed routine helps your little one wind down and see bedtime as simply another part of her day. Like most parents and midwives, Mumsnetters have strong views on the subject, with some arguing that co-sleeping is dangerous and others saying that, if done carefully and safely, it improves their babies' (and their own) sleep no end. Whether you try the Ferber method, let your baby cry it out or use a more gradual method like sitting in the room in a chair and slowly moving the chair out of the room over several nights, sleep training teaches your baby to fall asleep independently. There aren’t as many safety concerns about co-sleeping in the same bed once your child hits toddlerhood, since your sweetie is no longer at risk of SIDS after age 1. .related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}} Co-sleeping: things to think about. Lately, however this is becoming more of a challenge. So if your sweetie is under 1 and she’s been snoozing in your bed, it’s worth moving her into her own sleeping space as soon as possible. For example, if your kid is still in their crib you could come in, reassure them that everything is OK, and then leave (even if they’re crying). He goes to bed a couple of hours before my husband and I do, has been recently waking up when we come to bed. Sometimes kids are still sleeping with their parents at this age because they’ve never been given the chance to do anything else, says Briggs. Although tons of research has been done on the benefits of co-sleeping, no one has found an exact age regarding when it is time to stop. American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics. As for what kind of gradual approach is best? Our co-sleeping advice. Co-Sleeping, Bed-Sharing and Room-Sharing: What's Safe and What Isn't? You won’t be able to have the same kind of conversation with a younger toddler, especially one under 18 months. So if she’s spent her whole life sleeping within arm’s reach of you, moving into her own bed and room will be a big adjustment. In fact, you should keep your bed off limits even for cuddling for the first three months after you’ve stopped co-sleeping, says Briggs. In other words, it’s still usually not the right choice. The safe way to co-sleep with your baby is to room share — where your baby sleeps in your bedroom, in her own crib, bassinet or playard.