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Some parents put babies in a room of their own from the beginning, while others stay with their babies well past the “conventional” age. But is there really a right or wrong time to move baby to own room?
In this article, we’ll have a look at some of the reasons why (and up to when) it’s important for your baby to have his or her own room.
Can I move baby to own room right away?
Should you move a baby to their own room right away? Well, experts say no. It’s not a good idea.
They say that for the first 6 months of your baby’s life, it is best to share a room (NOT a bed) with your baby by placing his or her crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard in your bedroom, near your bed. It’s said that sharing a room reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by as much as 50%.
Sharing a room also makes it easier to care for your baby. Even so, experts say that it is a good idea to move your baby into a room of his or her own at around 6 months.
The benefits of moving your baby to their own room
There are several benefits to moving babies to their own room at around six months.
First, because there is less noise from you (moving around, snoring, talking, etc.), your baby is more likely to sleep better in his or her own room. They may also find it easier to go back to sleep if they cannot see, hear, or smell you when they wake up at night.
Second, at 6 months, most babies have not yet experienced separation anxiety. This means that it will be easier for them to adjust to sleeping alone. In other words, because they are more aware of their surroundings, babies older than 8-9 months may have a harder time adjusting to a new room.
Third, your own sleep will improve when you move your baby into his own room.
The following tips can help make the transition easier when you’ve finally decided to move your baby into his or her own room.
Tips to moving baby to own room
Not all babies are going to adapt automatically to their own room right from the start. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips that you can use to make it easier for your baby to get used to his or her room. To increase your chances of success, here are five things you can do.
1) Make sure your baby is acclimated to the room
A few weeks before you move your baby into her own room, make sure you familiarize her with the room. For example, you may want to place her crib there or even spend time doing activities like reading together in that room.
2) Establish a routine
At 6 months, you probably already have a nighttime routine. If not, it’s never too late to start. When it comes to routines, remember that consistency is the most important thing. Make sure your baby knows what to expect each day just before bedtime. This will make the transition to sleep easier.
3) Start with naps
Starting with naps, rather than moving your baby directly into his or her room, is an easy way to get your baby used to sleeping there.
4) Give your baby a room that they can’t resist đ
A few things will increase your baby’s chances of falling asleep and staying asleep. First, make sure that your baby’s room is quiet and that you can darken it if necessary. Also, items such as a baby mobile or white noise machine can improve the chances of a good night’s sleep.
5) Be prepared to deal with a little bit of fussiness
Your baby may resist the move to his or her own room, and this is perfectly normal. While it is important to reassure your baby, they also need to know that there is no going back.
For example, it is important to avoid talking or playing with your baby during nighttime awakenings, and to keep your interventions to a minimum.
To help your baby develop self-soothing skills, wait a few minutes before intervening. Again, white noise can help your child sleep better. The free guide below includes some of the most common sleep training techniques that can help you get through this time.
Final thoughts on when to move baby to own room
Although six months of age may seem like a good age to move your baby into a room of his or her own, it is by no means the “optimal” age to do so. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the age at which to make the move will vary from parent to parent.
When it comes to deciding where your baby is going to sleep, the most important thing is to make sure he or she has a safe place to sleep.
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