Sleeping Arrangements?!

Vanessa - posted on 03/29/2009

My little man moved into his room at 6 months.. was a little rough at first but is fine with it now. A friend of mine has 3 sons 9yrs, 4yrs and 1yrs and all 3 of them sleep in her room in her bed!! Start a good bedtime routine as early as possible! I didn't want to end up like her and her husband sharing the bed with 3 boys and the cat!

Cindy - posted on 03/29/2009

we let our first baby sleep in our room until he was 1 month old, then we gave in and let him sleep in his crib.  He was so much happier, and we got some sleep. 

We bought a baby monitor thinking we would not hear him, yeah, no.  We are so intuned to our kids that we would hear him stir before he could cry.  We took turns soothing him so that one of us would sleep.  It was so nice.  And he slept through the night by the time he was 3 months old.

With the second baby we just put him in his own room from the get go.  We set up the monitor again, but found it not needed again.  We are trained to get up at a set time whether he needs us or not and we check on both boys.

But, we have the space to do this, and we are very intuned to our kids.  Our friends had their little girl in the same room for 2 years.  She was a horrible sleeper and they were very sleep deprived.  They got the chance to buy a home and jumped at it.  With in 2 months of the babe being in her own room and they being alone - they are expecting in september. 

But it's up to you.  You like to share your space, go for it.  I like my space shared only with my husband.  Even the dog is not welcome.

Lorri - posted on 03/28/2009

It really is a personal decision. My son who is 8 months has been sleeping by himself since he was about 6 months. I would say either when they are sleeping through the night or by one at the longest.

Angela - posted on 03/28/2009

My little girl sleeps in our room..It's for me, so that I can check up on her during the night. She sleeps through - I don't...

Ldoo - posted on 03/27/2009

My baby sleeps so much better in her own room, and I don't jump at the slightest noise and "rescue" her, therefore she's learned to soothe herself back to sleep. My personal opinion is that it's best for the baby. But whatever works for your baby is best for him.

Also, life is 100 percent easier with a video monitor.

You might try getting a video monitor and putting him in his own room for a few nights (start beforehand with daily naps in there so he gets used to it). If he really revolts with no signs of improvement, then maybe bring him back  in. But DO give him a chance to get used to it, ie: several days.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Michelle - posted on 03/26/2009

He is YOUR baby, you have him sleep where YOU want him to sleep. It is no one elses business......

Rosie - posted on 03/26/2009

i put my little girl in her own room at 5 mths .had no problem.

Emily - posted on 02/22/2009

I had planned to keep my son in our room for the first year, but after he turned 4 months he suddenly started waking up every 2 hours again.  I finally figured out that we were waking him up.  When he is in a deeper sleep cycle you can be as loud as you want, but when he is in that lighter sleep the smallest noise wakes him up.  I have woken him up just by walking into his room, not making any noise.  Every night in his own room he slept for longer until he was sleeping through the night.  However if your son is sleeping well in your room I think it's fine to keep doing that.  I wish I could have for longer.  My son sleeps much better in his own room, but I definitely worry much more and check on him more than I need to.  Plus I really miss being able to wake up in the middle of the night and just raise my head to see him sleeping peacefully.

Tiffany - posted on 02/22/2009

I don't see anything wrong with that at all! We moved my daughter's crib from our room to hers at 6 months and I have lost a lot more sleep since we did! I either end up sleeping on a futon mmattress in her room, or getting up in the middle of the night to check on her anyway... when she was in our room I could just look over, see her breathing comfortably and go back to sleep =)

Stephanie - posted on 02/22/2009

it might be a little harder for both of you to get use to an adjustment if you were to move his crib to another room... but it's really worth it, especially if you're not getting the sleep you need. we started our daughter off in her own room right away and then just got a monitor. it was perfect... but then i kept getting up every time she made a noise and it was really exhausting! so i got rid of the monitor and it seems to have helped us both. she no longer wakes up in the middle of the night so i get a nice long night's sleep! 

Anna - posted on 02/19/2009

my daughter slept in the same room with me till she was 2 1/5. I never had a problem with transitioning rooms. since her dad worked at night i would even let her sleep in my bed with me till she was 3. i never ever had a problem with her sleeping in her own room. you should do whats best for your child cause only you know them better than anyone else

Charmaine - posted on 02/19/2009

I was looking at baby monitors with video, however, they were quite expensive. I have the Fisher Price Private Connection Dual Receiver Monitor which is great. Whilst it does not give me video I have it next to her cot and it is so clear that I can hear her every breath loud and clear. It also lights up at the slightest sound so I have that also as an extra comfort as I sleep with it next to me on the bedside table and can see and hear everything. Would recommend it. My husband is in IT and if I needed further comfort then he said he would set up a webcam in her room and feed it back to our computer so that could also be a cost effective option.
http://www.babiesgalore.com.au/view_prod...

Jodi - posted on 02/19/2009

When I moved my daughter to her own room I slept with the monitor on in my room. You will know when you and your baby are ready. Every baby is different and every parent is different.

Alycia - posted on 02/19/2009

I forget technology is so advanced now, thanks Sandi! Maybe one of those video dealios will help me with my ridiculous obsession to worry so much. He sleeps really good, minus the fact that right now he's teething so he's wakeful.



Charmaine I think you're right, the worrying probably won't stop we have kids and a sense of worry is now with me until the end of my time! I suppose it's something I'll work on though and yes take baby steps indeed until everything is a bit easier.



I also find he doesn't like his crib too much but we stopped letting him sleep in his playard so perhaps he'll get used to the crib as his main sleeping situation now. I also have a bad habit of letting him sleep with us if he completely wakes himself up at 1 in the morning which is happening because of teething, but I sleep horribly because once again I worry so I think I'll work on that too. I don't think there' anything wrong with letting him sleep with us, but again I don't him to think it's what he gets when he wakes up...could make for more problems!

Sandi - posted on 02/19/2009

Our little one has actually been in his own room since night 3. We planned to have him sleep in the room with us, but it didn't work out. We all slept better when he moved to his room. We actually have one of those video monitors which I absolutley LOVE and has helped so much. Any time I wake up at night I can just switch it on to make sure he is ok. I have a friend that her child slept in the room with them on between the pack & play and their bed for about 8 months, and they have a horrible time with him staying asleep in his own bed now that he is a year and a half, but every baby is different. You have to do whatever makes you comfortable and I can't imagine that having your child room in will cause any problems in the long run.

Charmaine - posted on 02/19/2009

Hi Alycia, Whilst my daughter is in her own room I too worry a lot - is she too hot/too cold? Is the blanket too high/too low? Can she breathe? Is she on her tummy? I check her endless times and whilst she is ok I do this to have comfort myself. I don't know when I will be fully comfortable to just leave her to sleep but I think time may be the key. I think regardless of when you transition your son it will be as big a step for you as it is for him. It just may be a bit harder the longer you wait. The tossing and turning doesn't get any easier either as my little girl also flips on her tummy which freaks me out but then she will also toss onto her side. Sometimes she will even wake me from turning onto her tummy and shuffling along the mattress to bang on the rails with her feet, or her head. It freaked me out and no matter what I try she still does the same thing. I have been told that some babies prefer alternate positions and I guess I have to accept it. She can lift herself and rollover and move herself around the cot so they will know to move if they can't breathe from a certain position. To be honest I don't think the worrying ever stops. Just take baby steps and only do what is comfortable for you, not what anyone tells you. You will know deep down when it is time though you will still carry your worries and concerns, this doesn't stop.

Mary - posted on 02/19/2009

We had Jayden in our room with us untill he was about 3 months old.....I don't care what anyone says...it was what made me feel at ease and Jayden seemed more at ease being with us.  once he out grew his bassinet we moved him into his crib and into his own room.  I hated it at first because I was up every 5 min checking on him.  now that he is older and can move around I am not as worried anymore and he doesn't have issues with sleeping at all. 

I just don't like the idea of leaving a new born in a crib in another room alone....but once they are a little older I think it is ok....but that's just me and everyone is different.

Kati - posted on 02/19/2009

I've had my daughter in her own crib and room since day one and I would recommend that to any new mom.  It taught her to self soothe herself to sleep, she doesn't keep us up and we don't keep her up.  She has been sleeping through the night since week 7 and it is amazing!  When deciding, make sure you are doing what you think is best for your son, not for you.  You can still peek in and check on him when you feel anxious, but it will pass.  Don't worry...he'll be fine on his own!

Alycia - posted on 02/19/2009

My problem is maybe that I worry too much. I am okay with him in that room by himself for a nap during the day but at night I feel like someone has to be near him wither me or my husband. One time I got up to check on him and he moves onto his stomach and keeps his face buried flat on the mattress, he just scares me sometimes! I do miss having our room to ourselves...I just wonder when I'll feel that I don't know emotional capability to let him be alone at night. I have read things that do say that kids become more assured and transition easier to their own room when they've slept in their parents room. I just don't want to create an unhealthy attachment with at some point needing us to be right there or something.

Vanessa - posted on 02/19/2009

With my first son he slept in his crib in my room till month 8! and he is the most amazing sleeper!!

Now with my second he is in his own room and sleeps TERRIBLE!

I think he misses me but in the new house there is no room for a crib in my room. I wish i could have him in there, i think you are doing nothing at all wrong :)

Charmaine - posted on 02/19/2009

I had my little girl in our room with us until around 4mths. I decided to try letting her nap in her room during the day to get her used to it and she actually slept better. It was difficult at first, for me, but then she needed to learn to settle herself and I would jump up anytime she would cry. It was also easier for us as my husband could sleep better for work and we didn't have to tip toe around so as not to wake her. Some people have also warned that prolonging the transition may cause bubs a greater fear when the time comes for them to be on their own in their room. I have to admit that whilst I miss having her close it is nice to have our room back. I think it's important to have a place that is yours. I didn't realise how much I missed quiet time with my husband where we could just lay together and talk without having to whisper. Don't let anyone pressure you, when you are ready just try little things like playing in their room and napping so they can get used to their new surroundings without the fear.

Lindsay - posted on 02/18/2009

I'd love 2 have anotha room 4 my daughter 2 move in2 but we only live in a 1bed maisonette so can't afford 2 sell and buy a house until i am bk at work and off SMP!! It is nice havin her there so we can check on her but sometimes we could all do with our own space.

Megyn - posted on 02/18/2009

I think you should do what's best for you and your baby. We were constantly harassed to move our son to his crib and out of the room. I did it when we were both ready. We actually found that once moving his crib out of the room, well into our walk-in closet, he sleeps SO much better. I was worried I'd be up to get him a lot, but it turns out that is what he needed to sleep better.

Cara - posted on 02/18/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

My daughter's crib is in our room too, and it probably will be until her 1st birthday. Possibly longer than that if she has a really hard time. Right now it is easier for us because she wakes up twice each night, and she usually winds up in bed with us off and on. I think babies are safer being in the same room with their parents. They could die from SIDS any time within the first year and I feel safer knowing my daughter is only a few feet away.

i feel safer with him in the room too, its alot easier and puts my mind at ease

Jennifer - posted on 02/18/2009

My daughter's crib is in our room too, and it probably will be until her 1st birthday. Possibly longer than that if she has a really hard time. Right now it is easier for us because she wakes up twice each night, and she usually winds up in bed with us off and on. I think babies are safer being in the same room with their parents. They could die from SIDS any time within the first year and I feel safer knowing my daughter is only a few feet away.

Cara - posted on 02/18/2009

my son also sleeps in my room in his crib. right now he doesnt sleep through the night so it makes it alot easier when he wakes up for me to grab him when he is close.. i have been told that he needs his own room too but i have also been told that its not a necessity that they have their own room and that we usually do it for our own reasons.. its more for mom than for baby.