3 Guaranteed Simple Secret Tips to Stop Bed-Sharing for Toddlers

Transitioning out of bed-sharing is scary yet a relieving experience for working moms. Many moms are used to sharing their beds with their babies since they are born.

However, as they grow older the need to bed share dissipates and moms wish the babies could now sleep independently. However, when this transition should happen varies across different moms.

In this post…

Disadvantages of Co-Sleeping/Bed Sharing

Benefits of Co-Sleeping/Bed Sharing

When to Transition Babies out of Bed sharing

Tips on Effective Bed Sharing Transition for Babies

Depending on your babies and the age of your baby, bed-sharing has some key drawbacks, especially if the baby is of an older age

Bed-Sharing delays dealing with adjusting the child to sleep independently

Co-Sleeping may affect the quality of sleep for both parents and baby- both sleep so much better in their own spaces

There is a risk of suffocation, through bed co-sharing especially if the mom is a heavy sleeper

Co-Sleeping makes sleep training and night weaning difficult

Bed-Sharing is not ideal for the parents romance

Bed-Sharing enhances sleep for babies with sleeping problems

Co-Sleeping enhances parent-baby bond and cuddling

Co-Sleeping makes night nursing easier for toddlers

Bed-Sharing makes babies feel safe and hence sleep better

Read: How to Create an Effective Sleep/Evening Routine for your Toddler

benefits of bed or room sharing with your baby

When to transition babies out of bed-sharing is purely a personal choice. Some moms even never share the bed with their babies from day one. As such it is purely a personal choice and decision. Some working moms choose to share their room or co-sleep with their babies until elementary school.

In addition, further factors that working moms consider on when to transition their baby to independent sleeping include;

Health issues related to bed sharing e.g risks of suffocation

Availability of extra bed/room for the baby
Babies/moms co-dependence, etc.
Convenience e.g. comfort with spouse in romantic ways

Another younger baby on the way i.e. need for the newer baby to bed share

The ideal age that most working moms feel they should transition their bed from bed-sharing is about one year. Also, many working moms feel that the baby should also stop room sharing with the parents at this age.

However, this also depends on other factors such as the availability of another room, if the baby has health complications that need round the hour attention, etc. Nonetheless, the earlier the baby transitions from cot and room the better.

3 Easy Methods & Tips for Fast Out of Bed Transition for Toddlers

1. Proper Room/Bed Setup helps make Out of Bed Transition Easy

To make transition out of bed sharing easy, set up the baby bed for comfort. Also, set up their room for a nice sleep setting and create excitement.

Find a nice theme that your baby will identify with and love. If they are old enough, involve them in the buying of the items. Create the feeling that it’s a safe and comfortable place to be and it will ease for them to transition from your bed to their cot.

Have a nice mattress and beddings

Paint up and decorate the wall with their favorite colors
Baby proof the room
Set baby monitor and cameras up if you need to keep an eye on them

Get special stuff for the baby to sleep with

Tips for Fast Out of Bed Transition for Toddlers

2. Night Weaning and Sleep Training help Stop Bed-Sharing for Babies Faster

It is easier, fast and more effective for your baby to transition from bed and room sharing to independent sleeping when they are night weaned. It is hard to transition when your baby is nursing/feeding non stop as it makes them wake up a lot. Start the transition after your baby no longer needs nighttime feeding.

Also, you need to sleep train your baby before you transition them. Being able to independently put themselves to sleep will make it easier for them to sleep independently once they have transitioned.

You may have to leave your baby alone and let them cry out before going in to comfort them. If the baby is fed and dry, you are not being hurtful or mean. Stick to your routine and the baby will quickly learn how to go to sleep alone.

3. A Room-Based Consistent Nightly Routine is Crucial in Out of Bed Transition for Kids

Start and stick to a nightly routine in their room to assist you baby in out of cot transition. This may include bath, stories, soft music, lights out, or whatever your routine involves; ALL done in the baby’s room.

A more structured bedtime routine helps send the signal that it’s time for nighttime sleep. Remember that consistency and self-discipline are key. Babies are smart but resilient hence can adapt well when they know what to expect.

Things like the order of routine events, certain songs or books, and consistent phrases to let your little one know that this is the time to sleep are important for the stopping sharing the bed with their parents.

Read: Evening Rountine Tips for Toddlers

Tips for how to transition toddlers out of bed and room

3. Simplify the Transition and Adjust Periodically

Makes the transition as simple as possible to make it long lasting.A slow transition eventually makes the end goal of independent sleeping successful. Start by having your baby sleep in her /his bed for a few hours and in your cot for some hours. Day after, increase the number of hours the baby sleeps in their bed.

Also, transition your baby into her crib for naps first. Once the baby can sleep there during the day, it becomes easier to get them to sleep in the crib at night. Eventually, move the baby crib to a new room.

“When to transition the baby from bed-sharing purely a personal choice and decision. However an idea age is 12 months. To make the transition out of bed/room-sharing easier have a proper room/bed setup, night wean and sleep train, start a room-based nightly routine and focus on easy transition.”

The earlier you stop bed-sharing/ room sharing the better- Early independent sleeping will help avoid a lot of bedtime struggles later on because it won’t be associated with fear and loneliness.

The age that is easy for bed transition is different for every child. Look for signs that your baby is ready for transition and avoid comparing them with their peers as kids adapt differently. Most kids will have stop sharing bed with the parents by the time they are one year old.

Adopt a personal stance on bed transition. Do not feel pressured to get your child out of your bed or room unless you have a reason to. When you and your child are ready then it is time to start the transition. If co-sleeping becomes a problem for you or your baby, then change it.

Settling into independent sleeping will take some time. Once in a while, the baby will need some resettling on some restless nights. These nights get fewer and fewer until they have eventually settled. They will naturally sleep on their own more/longer as time goes on.

Most kids need help to calm down and relax enough to be able to sleep. This is often so until they reach 5 or 6 years old. It may even be longer than this for active, energetic kids. There is nothing wrong with you or your child when your baby needs some “help” getting settled for sleep.

If you are still nursing, nurse and change the baby diaper in their room and then put them back in their crib. This will avoid relapses when then the baby has eventually transitioned to sleeping alone.

Transitioning the baby to sleep on their own cot is hard and you may also start resenting it the sooner you start it. It’s emotionally and physically exhausting too. Therefore being self-disciplined will make the process easier and more successful for you.