One of the critical questions that parents (especially first-timers) tend to ask is if their babies can sleep in their own room from birth. This is an important question because whatever or wherever makes your babies sleep best is a good pointer to sound health.
Also, choosing where they sleep, either in your room or separately in their own room can determine how well you as the mother also sleep, how often you breastfeed your baby and how safe they are. This may also have impact on how well you bond and how safe the babies feel.
While there are diverse opinions on if babies can sleep in their own room from birth, as we go on, you will understand reasons that either support or discourage parents who choose to keep their babies in a separate room.
What Age Can a Baby Sleep In Their Own Room?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has suggested through a finding that it is better for infants to share their parents’ room from their first six months to about twelve months. Allowing the baby to sleep on a separate surface prevents Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Avoid accidental harm or suffocation from changes in sleeping positions.
At times, it may be as a result of the bedding materials such as pillow, duvet or other clothes which are not tightly fitted and so, obstructing the breathing of the child. For safety, opt for a cot, crib, or bassinet for the first 6-12 months. Avoid loose materials; use firm, tight-fitting sheets. After six to twelve months, the baby can then be moved to a separate room.
Waiting till this time before changing the baby’s room will help to ensure proper care, attention and breastfeeding. You know, the closer the baby is to the parent, the better and faster it is to respond to their needs.
What Is The Benefit Of a Baby Sleeping In Their Own Room?
A study conducted in 2017 had observations on the sleeping pattern of babies who shared rooms with their parents and those who do not. Results showed that babies who still shared rooms at four months got lesser hours of sleep compared to those who had separate rooms.
A separate room reduces sleep disruptions from movements, light, and noise, promoting better rest. This also goes for the parent, since they will most probably have to breastfeed the baby at a stretch before sleep, and then retire to their room.
Not getting up to breastfeed every now and then will help the mother to get good sleep and be active for the next day’s chores and activities. This even helps to build a good sleep routine for the baby who will adjust to the timing from infancy to childhood. Separate room ensures baby’s safety, avoiding accidental suffocation on parents’ bed. Tight-fitted beddings provide good, uninterrupted sleep, fostering healthy growth.
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Where Should a Baby Sleep When Born?
As a parent and mostly first-time mums, you may want to decide if your baby should sleep in their own room or not, and what the space should be like. This means that you care about the baby and want the best of comfort for the infant. Let us start with what the space should be like. It should be a clean and smoke-free environment. Whether it is your room or the infant’s room, ensure that the air is good and safe for inhalation – no dust or messed-up environments.
Also, ensure that the baby’s sleeping surface is firm, not on the same bed with you, and should be a crib or bassinet. Do away with loose materials such as pillows, clothes and other things that can suffocate the child. Babies can obviously not talk and so everything around them has to be put in the best shape to avoid any accident.
The room temperature where the baby sleeps should also be moderate. In cold weather, keep the baby warm with appropriate clothing, shut windows if needed, and adjust or turn off the air conditioner. On a hot day, a light cloth would do and the room should be well ventilated.
On whether the baby should be in your room or not, you decide. But since both options have their pros, and as long as you put the right things in place, your baby will be fine whether in its separate room or yours (but definitely not sharing your bed!). You also want to ensure that the room is secure with good lighting. And a dim or moderate light source will do so you can have good vision to attend to the baby.
Read Also: What is Crib Sheet– How to Maintain a Crib Sheet
When Should Babies Sleep In Their Own Room?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that babies should be allowed to sleep in their parents’ room for the first six to twelve months, but not on the same bed. This is to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Some parents choose to share a room with their baby beyond twelve months for mutual benefits. Other parents can choose to move their baby to a separate room (which should normally not be far from theirs) after twelve months of age.
This depends on the needs and situation surrounding their choices, and may vary with familial and cultural differences. Sometimes, parents keep the baby in their room due to ill health for quick attention and close monitoring. Other times, the condition of the baby’s room may warrant that the parent should share their room until the conditions are suitable.
Whenever the baby transitions to their own room, prioritize care, support, comfort, and healthy growth.
Can Babies Sleep In Their Own Room From Birth?
To reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies share room with their parents from birth to at least, the first six months. While the AAP advices room-sharing, they also discourage sharing the same bed with parent. Room-sharing offers benefits like easy catering to baby’s needs and comfort due to proximity.
Parents can quickly attend to their child’s discomfort, whether breastfeeding, lulling to sleep, changing diapers, or other necessary care. Sharing room with the baby also means that the baby and parent spend more time together which is a good way to enhance bonding and make the baby feel secure.
In fact, most babies tend to dislike being alone and would cry when they realize that they are all by themselves. If babies sleep alone, attending to their needs at night becomes challenging, affecting both baby and parent’s sleep and comfort. The room distance may cause sleep related death for the baby, an occurrence which every parent wants to avoid.
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Conclusion on: Can Babies Sleep In Their Own Room From Birth?
Finally, regardless of your choice, prioritize proper care and attention for your babies. Whether in a separate room or sharing, their well-being is essential.
Babies experience significant growth and development in the first three to six months, necessitating utmost care. Regular breastfeeding, good hygiene, and good sleep are all necessary during this period.
Babies also communicate their discomfort and the slightest of it should not be ignored. Parents’ decisions for baby’s welfare depend on beliefs, culture, family, and finances. Different strokes go for different folks, but prioritize baby’s well-being for proper development and health.
In cases of doubt and indecision on what to do, it is advisable to contact a pediatrician for proper medical advice. You would normally get tons of advice from friends and family as regards baby issues, but yours is to be discerning and do what works best for you and your baby. Do not forget, healthy practices make healthy babies and healthy babies make their parents happy.
