How long should a kid sleep with their parents?
The answer depends on your child’s age. For babies under 1 year, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a separate infant sleep surface rather than sharing a parent’s bed. For an older child, discuss persistent sleep difficulties and the family’s needs with the pediatrician instead of applying infant advice to every age.
Room-sharing and bed-sharing mean different things
Room-sharing means sleeping in the same room on separate sleep surfaces. Bed-sharing means sleeping on the same surface. The broad term “co-sleeping” can refer to either, which can make advice confusing.
Where should a baby sleep?
Keep your baby’s crib or bassinet near your bed for at least the first 6 months. Put the baby back in their own sleep space after feeding or comforting, before you sleep. Never sleep with a baby on a couch or armchair. See the AAP explanation of room-sharing and bed-sharing.
- Place the baby on their back for every sleep.
- Use a safety-compliant crib, bassinet or play yard with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet.
- Keep pillows, loose blankets, stuffed animals and other soft items out of the infant sleep space.
These are AAP safe sleep recommendations. Suggestions about an older child’s comfort toy do not apply to an infant’s crib.
Helping an older child move to their own bed
Families can build on a consistent bedtime routine, reading together, and calm reassurance. Plan changes with the child, introduce their own bed gradually, and praise progress. If sleep difficulties persist or affect daytime functioning, ask the pediatrician for an individual plan.
Questions to discuss with your pediatrician
- Is our sleep setup appropriate for our child’s age?
- How should we respond to frequent waking or bedtime fears?
- Could a sleep problem need assessment?
For more information, read sleep needs by age and sleep disorders in children.
