Here's When You Should (Ideally) Stop Bed-Sharing

When it comes to parenting, very few topics have a definitive answer. Even a concern that appears simple, such as wondering where your baby will sleep best, can invite a whole host of different answers. For instance, how long does bed-sharing last for those who decide to give the family bed idea a try? The answer, as expected, will vary from family to family.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months of life, though doin so until your kid is 1 year old is ideal. As further noted by the AAP, having the parent on-hand appears to reduce the risk of SIDS. However, it's important that the AAP also noted that denounces the practice of bed-sharing is the top risk factor in infant sleep-related deaths, so the organization does not provide an official recommendation on the best time to stop bed-sharing. (If this is concerning, then you can compromise with a sidecar crib attachment to your bed.)

Basically? Deciding when it's time to switch up the sleeping schedule is up to you and your family. Maybe you're cool with keeping your little one in the family bed until he's a year and a half old. On the other hand, maybe the infant makes too much noise during the night, and you'd rather have him sleep in a crib in another room. It's all about what works best for you and your family. Bed sharing may last many months or just a couple of nights, depending on your family's needs. Provided you prepare your bed for co-sleeping safely, the rest is up to you. Having a chat with your pediatrician about safe and sane sleep practices may also help you set a reasonable bed-sharing timeline.

Whatever the case, when it's time for your family's sleeping arrangements to change, it's helpful to know how to stop bed sharing while maintaining your sanity. Helping your little one transition to a new sleeping environment will take time, but it can be done. Until that time, hopefully you and your family will all have a pleasant night's rest in whatever sleeping arrangement suits you best.