Safely co-sleeping — or room-sharing as it is more accurately presented — involves having young children sleep in their own crib in the same room as their parents or in a co-sleeper bassinet attached to the parent's bed.
Bed-sharing – when babies and share a bed with one or both parents — is a subset of co-sleeping and has come under fire in the past due to the risk of risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or suffocation. Thus co-sleeping has evolved into room-sharing with the understanding that it is unsafe for little ones to sleep in their parents' bed overnight.
But what about older children? Is co-sleeping with a toddler safe?
What are the benefits of co-sleeping?
How do I put an end to toddler co-sleeping?
For parents looking to reclaim their bedrooms, a nighttime routine is key. “One of the most important things to start with, when you’re trying to put an end to co-sleeping, is a consistent sleep routine that starts in the child’s room,” noted Dr. Kupersmith. “Routines can include a few stories, songs, and a comfortable blanket and ‘lovey’ to cuddle.”
If co-sleeping has been going on for a long time, the child may need some additional help in falling asleep for the first few days or weeks. “Parents may need to lay on the floor for a few minutes, stand outside the door, or just check in every few minutes. The parent should do less and less each night, as the child has more success falling asleep on his or her own.”
Lisa shared this sentiment. "Eventually, when they were ready, they transitioned to their own beds. While they still occasionally come in for snuggles or comfort, they are also confident on their own."
If your toddler is having a hard time staying in their own bed overnight, Dr. Kupersmith recommends consistently bringing your child back to his or her room. Verbal praise and incentives also work well. “Just the action of placing the sticker on the chart can be enough of a reward for a child to continue sleeping in his or her bed each night, although some may enjoy working towards a goal, such as a movie night or a small toy,” he suggested.
