When and how to transition your baby to their own room
Deciding where your baby will sleep when they come home from the hospital is pretty easy. Most parents opt to room share in the beginning since it’s safer and easier. But at some point, you may want your bedroom back for adult activities — whether it’s spending time with your partner or just binging your favorite series without headphones. We’ll help you navigate when, and how, to make this big change.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
What does a baby room or nursery look like?
Can babies sleep in their own room from birth?
Do babies sleep better in their own room?
Which age is optimal for transitioning a baby to their own room?
Signs your baby is ready for their own room
Tips for smoothly transitioning your baby to their own room
Transitioning your baby to their own room FAQ
What does a baby room or nursery look like?
When it comes to a baby’s bedroom, there are the need-to-haves and the nice-to-haves. The need-to-have list is pretty short: a safe sleep space. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Now let’s talk about the nice-to-haves. Ideally, the nursery won’t only provide a sleeping space, but will also support a calm bedtime routine for your baby to cue when it’s time to transition from playtime to sleepytime. Include a diaper changing station and a place to store all those tiny pajamas and sleep sacks, so that dressing for bed is part of your consistent routine. A comfortable chair for feedings is a plus too.
To create a cozy ambiance, you’ll also want to think about sounds and lighting. We’re big fans of continual white noise. Consider a noise machine for the nursery, especially if you want to muffle sounds from noisy siblings, pets, or neighbors.
A lamp for dim lighting is perfect for pre-sleep lullabies and feedings, while black-out curtains (or blinds), help darken the room during sleep times. These can help babies fall asleep easier during the summer months when the sun is still shining at bedtime, and help prevent early waking too.
Can babies sleep in their own room from birth?
The AAP doesn’t recommend it. They want you to share a room (but not share a bed) with your baby for at least the first 6 months of life to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Not only is room sharing considered safer, but it can also be more convenient. Having your baby close by can make it easier to feed, comfort, and care for your infant throughout the night.
“Room sharing without bed-sharing is protective for the first year of life, and there is no specific evidence for when it might be safe to move an infant to a separate room before 1 year of age. However, the rates of sleep-related deaths are highest in the first 6 months, so room sharing during this vulnerable period is especially important.” (Moon, Carlin, & Hand, 2022) Consult with your pediatrician if you have questions about transitioning your young baby to their own room.
Do babies sleep better in their own room?
Probably. After the newborn stage, it’s common for a parent’s presence in the room to impact night sleep. Anecdotally, our room-sharing clients report more frequent night waking and less overall sleep. Research also suggests that room-sharing is associated with less overall nighttime sleep and reduced sleep consolidation.
Typical nighttime noises from parents like snoring, coughing, and moving around may cause their baby to stir (and vice versa). And once they’re awake, it can be harder for a little one to go back to sleep on their own after they see, hear or smell their parents. Cue the crying out for mom or dad.
Which age is optimal for transitioning a baby to their own room?
Determining the “optimal age” depends on your primary goal. If you want to improve sleep and minimize the challenges that can come with moving an older baby or toddler to a new room, then we’d recommend transitioning between 6 - 9 months of age.
Parents who want to make the move when it feels right to them emotionally will need to make that decision on an individual basis. One caregiver may feel happy with the move at 4 months, while another might not be ready until their child is 2 years old.
If your goal is to reduce the risk of sleep-related death as much as possible, then the ideal age to transition to a new room is after your child’s first birthday. You can view our safety-based chart below:
| Age group | Transition to own room? | Where should baby sleep? |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 6 months | Not recommended | The AAP recommends a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard in the room where the parent(s) sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. |
| 6 - 12 months | Maybe | While there is no specific evidence for when it’s safe to move a baby to their own room before 12 months, most sleep-related deaths occur in the first 6 months of life. You’ll want to balance the benefits (possibly more sleep) against the potential risk. A firm, flat, separate sleep surface (such as a crib) is still recommended. |
| 1 year and up | Ideal, if desired | The AAP doesn’t speak to room sharing past 12 months of age. Continue to use a safe sleep space for your child, whether that’s a crib or a bed (depending on your child’s age and size). |
Signs your baby is ready for their own room
Sign #1: Your baby’s 6 months or older
It’s well established that sharing a room is safer than bed sharing or solitary sleeping (when the baby sleeps in a separate room) in the first 6 months of life. While it might be tempting to reclaim your room while in the midst of the 4 month sleep regression, the AAP recommends holding off a bit longer to reduce the risk of sleep-related injury and death.
Sign #2: Your baby’s waking frequently
To clarify, it’s normal for babies to wake at night for feeding and/or comfort. Additionally, research has shown that babies will awaken briefly throughout the night throughout the first year, even if they don’t call out for their parents. However, if your baby is waking a lot (i.e. not just for hunger or discomfort), and wants your help to fall back asleep each time, then transitioning away from room sharing may reduce some of those wakings.
Sign #3: Your sleep is suffering
Yes, it’s common for parents to wake their baby during the night, but it works the other way around too. Babies can be noisy sleepers! If room sharing is negatively impacting your sleep, moving your baby into their own room may improve your sleep as well.
Sign #4: You’re expecting a new baby
New baby on the way? You’ll want to consider what the sleeping arrangements will look like after the baby arrives. If you plan on room sharing with the newborn only, we recommend transitioning the sibling to their own room sooner rather than later. This will allow time for your older kid to adjust, while also ensuring that they don’t feel displaced by the new baby.
Sign #5: You’ve decided to sleep train
Sure, you can sleep train while room sharing. But if you’re working on sleep training throughout the night (as opposed to naps or bedtime only), room sharing can bring extra challenges. We typically find that clients will make slower progress while room sharing since children are more likely to call out for their parents during night wakings when they can see or hear them.
Tips for smoothly transitioning your baby to their own room
Tip #1: Spend time in the new room
Help your baby gradually acclimate before the transition. Spend some play time in the new room for 10 - 15 minutes several times a day for a few days leading up to the transition. Keep the mood light to help your baby feel secure. Try singing upbeat songs, playing peek-a-boo, or looking at some books together.
Tip #2: Use established sleep cues
Introduce a pre-bedtime routine while you’re room sharing. Consistent bedtime routines can help your baby know what to expect (i.e. sleep comes after the routine) and help children feel secure.
Continue to use your established bedtime and nap routines once you start placing your baby to sleep in their own room. This will provide a strong signal to your baby when it’s time to sleep in the new room — it can help little ones understand that it’s time to sleep after the routine even if they’re in a new setting.
Tip #3: Set the speed that’s right for your family
If you prefer a faster adjustment, it’s fine to start placing your baby in their room for all sleep periods: bedtime, throughout the night, and for naps. This tends to work best for younger babies.
Babies older than 8 - 9 months tend to be more aware of their surroundings. As a result, it might take them longer to accept their new room which may lead to sleep challenges like fighting sleep. In those cases, you can opt to make gradual changes.
If you want to go the gradual route, start by placing your baby in the new room for the first nap of the day and then progress to all naps. Alternatively, place your baby in the new room for bedtime only, and then room share after the first night waking. This works best for situations where the baby has one sleep surface in the parents’ room (e.g., a bassinet or pack and play) and another sleeping surface in their own bedroom (like a crib).
Tip #4: Be patient
Expect that your child may need some time to adapt to the room switch. How quickly that occurs will depend on their temperament (some children are quicker to adapt than others) and their age. Generally, a younger baby will adjust a lot faster to changes in sleep habits than an older child who has developed a greater awareness of their world.
Transitioning your baby to their own room FAQ
Q: How long does it take to transition a baby to their own room?
A:
This depends on whether you decide to place your baby in the new room for all sleep periods or make the transition more gradually. Expect that your baby may need a few days to a week to adjust to each change.
Q: Can a 1-year-old sleep in their own room?
A:
Yes. It’s generally considered safe for a 12 month old to sleep in their own room as long as safe sleep guidelines are followed.
Q: Can a 6-month-old sleep in their own room?
A:
The AAP recommends room sharing (but not bed-sharing) with your baby for at least the first 6 months of life. If you have questions about whether it’s right for your baby, please consult your pediatrician.
Q: Can babies sense parents in the room?
A:
Babies who share a room with their parents may be able to see and hear them at night. Research suggests that babies are able to recognize their mother’s scent in a room as well.
Q: Do babies sleep better next to mom?
A:
It’s hard to say. While individual babies may sleep better next to their mothers, a 2017 study found that babies who room share with their parents at 4 and 9 months are more likely to have less nighttime sleep.
Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
