When and How to Transition Baby to Their Own Room, According to Experts

Chances are, your newborn will start out sleeping in your room. Not only is it considered the safest place for baby—and an ideal way to build that parent-child bond—it’s also convenient to have them close by for all those late-night wakeups, feedings and diaper changes. But at some point, you’re going to want to reclaim your space. “Our baby is in our room in his bassinet, but he’s growing fast and I don’t know how much longer he’ll fit,” shares The Bump community member sdank03. “I’m sure he’ll sleep fine in his own room, but I don’t know how well I’ll sleep not being able to look over and see or hear him.” This brings us to the key question: When is it the right time to move baby to their own room? And how can you ease this transition? Here, experts share how to know when your child is ready and how to handle the big move.

Key Takeaways

• Experts recommend room sharing with baby for at least the first six months up to a full year, as it helps promote bonding, breastfeeding and reduces the risk of Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• When you room share with baby, you should still practice safe sleep, which means baby should have their own bassinet or crib in your room. It should only contain a fitted sheet and be free of loose blankets, toys and other suffocation hazards.
• Start by getting baby comfortable and adjusted by having them take naps in their nursery and play in this new space.
• How long it takes baby to sleep well in their own room will largely depend on their temperament and individual sleep needs.

The Benefits of Room-Sharing With Baby

First things first: How long should baby sleep in your room? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies should sleep in a parent’s room—but not in the same bed—for at least the first six months of life (ideally for a whole year) to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Having baby within reach isn’t just comforting to parents, it also makes it easier to breastfeed, which, in and of itself, has been shown to slash the risk of SIDS by 70 percent.

Keeping baby in your bedroom for those first 12 months can also help boost your bond. “The parent-child relationship is greatly enhanced by allowing the child to sleep in your room as long as possible,” says Daniel Ganjian, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Baby learns they can count on you to be there as they adjust to life outside the womb.

When to Move Baby to Their Own Room

While there are benefits to room-sharing, a year is a long time, and it’s understandable—and totally okay—if you’re ready to move baby into their own room before then, says Ashanti Woods, MD, a pediatrician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “Every baby is different, and sometimes pediatricians recommend taking into account what’s best for everybody in the family,” he says.

So when can you move baby to their own room? “It really comes down to what works best for your family dynamic,” explains Pam Edwards, a certified infant and child sleep consultant, pointing out that she’s helped families transition babies to their own rooms at 4, 6, 12 months—and even later. Babies tend to become more alert and aware of their surroundings after 6 months, so the process can be more challenging after that age, she says, but “it’s by no means impossible.”

How to Tell If Baby Is Ready for Their Own Room

If you want to wait until the 12-month mark before transitioning baby to the nursery, great! But if you’re ready to move baby before then, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.

First, check with your pediatrician to make sure baby is growing well and doesn’t need middle-of-the-night feedings, advises Ganjian. Another sign your child may be ready for the move? If they can roll over from their belly to their back, he says. Once baby starts to roll, they should be transitioned out of a bassinet and into a crib, says Rachel Mitchell, a maternity and pediatric sleep specialist. “For some parents this is when they decide to transfer their baby into their own room,” she adds.

How long baby can sleep in a stretch matters too. “If baby is waking up every two, three or four hours, they might not be ready to move to the nursery,” Woods says. “If they can sleep for six hours or more, it’s a great time to consider shipping baby out.”

Even if your little one is a great sleeper, consider logistics carefully. It’s important to be in close proximity to baby during the night so you can get to them quickly if something seems off. If your bedroom and baby’s nursery are on the opposite sides of the house, you might want to wait the full 12 months before moving baby into their own room.

Tips for Moving Baby to Their Own Room

If you’ve decided to move baby to their own room, there are a few ways to help ease the transition for baby:

Ensure safe sleep

It’s important to set up baby’s room for safe sleep. That means having a crib with a firm mattress and a fitted sheet, and keeping it completely clear of bumpers, toys and blankets.You might also consider blackout window shades and a white noise machine to help baby sleep.

Start naps in the nursery

Once everything is in place, start by having baby take naps in the nursery to get them comfortable with sleeping in this new space, advises Mitchell. Once your little one gets the hang of it, they can go to bed in their own room. To help keep an eye on them, Woods recommends having a good video baby monitor that allows you to see and hear your child from any point in the house. Spending time in their room for playing—can also help baby’s exposure and comfortability with their new space, Mitchell adds.

Be consistent with their routine

Having a sleep routine and sticking to it is essential for a smooth transition to the nursery, Mitchell says. One example of this bedtime routine can be going into the room for a diaper change, dimming the lights and reading a story, then turning the lights off and singing a lullaby while rocking baby to the point of drowsiness. Finally, put baby into the crib slowly with a smile, and leave the room. This routine helps baby understand that it’s time for them to sleep.

Show yourself grace

Edwards says moving baby to their own room is often harder on the parents than the child. If you’re a little worried about baby sleeping on their own, it’s fine for you to stay in baby’s room for the first few nights, Edwards says. But try not to stress about how your little one is doing. “It was hard the first couple of nights—I spent the whole night listening to the monitor and jumping at any little noise,” shares krissyh21, a community member on The Bump. “But now, I’m familiar with his little grunts and noises and can distinguish what’s going on from them.”

Try again another time

If you try transitioning baby to the nursery and it just doesn’t go well, it’s okay to move baby back to your room and try again in a month or so. “Don’t get discouraged,” Woods says. “Just because you didn’t get it done at 6 months doesn’t mean you won’t get it done at 7 months.”

When it comes to moving baby to their own room, remember that little ones are pretty resilient. “Even if we have a few tough nights, your child will learn to love their new sleep space if you give them that opportunity,” Edwards says. “Having your own room back won’t be so bad either.”

How Long Does It Take For Baby to Adjust to Sleeping in Their Own Room?

Like everything else, how long it takes for baby to get comfortable sleeping on their own will depend on your child’s temperament and age, as well as how they’re transitioned. That said, for the most part, younger infants may be quicker to adjust, while older babies may need a bit longer, Mitchell explains.

To Sum It Up

Ultimately, there isn’t a definitive timeline for when baby should be moved to their own room. “Like so many areas related to sleep, parents should base this transition on what works best for their child and family dynamic,” Mitchell says. “Some babies remain in their parents’ room for a couple years, while others only do for a couple months. Parents shouldn’t feel pressured to make a decision based on anything other than their child’s readiness!” If you’re struggling with the transition or other aspects of baby’s sleep, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician or a pediatric sleep specialist.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.