The transition from sleeping alone to sharing a bed with your new baby might initially be difficult for your toddler. Many parents of older children end up loving sharing rooms with younger children.
In reality, if your child and your toddler have a shared space, there’s a great possibility that they will both be able to sleep more easily and will bond faster. A further benefit is that your toddler will learn useful lessons in communication and cooperation.
In the meantime, prep your toddler by considering these sharing-a-room-with-baby ideas. Also, don’t forget to give yourself enough time to support your child through the transition from being a child on its own to becoming a brother or sister.
Keep the Baby in View
The most important thing to bear in mind when sharing a space with your child is that it decreases the chance of SIDS because the baby is in the view of caregivers or parents more frequently. Therefore, the APP suggests placing your baby’s crib or the sleeping area in the vicinity of where you are sleeping so that you can easily see your child and reach them quickly to feed and comfort them.1 Also, sharing a room won’t significantly impact your child’s health if you put the crib in the corner or in a closet where you aren’t able to see your baby. The idea is to keep the baby close to you.
Give Baby A Designated Space
Even if your family members are in the same space making a room specifically for the baby’s toys is a fantastic method to keep your privacy and privacy from being a nuisance to others.
It is possible to do this by placing them in the corner, making an area for them, or using furniture to create a separation between your crib from your bed.
Using a curtain to divide spaces is also possible if you cannot get the furniture to fit or move it around.
Elevate Your Older Child’s Bed
A bed that is elevated is an excellent furniture for kids alternative if you have smaller rooms and want to clear floor space. The horizontal layout of your bedroom lets you fit two beds in the space as well; it also provides your child with an older age a safe space to get away from their younger siblings!
Pick a compact crib or take it with you and play.
Modern cribs can be stunning and functional – some even adapt to your child and remain in use throughout the life of your child – however, your baby will be equally content in the smaller room.
To reduce space in your space, think about one of these options instead of the full-size crib.
Bassinets: Bassinets are an ideal option for sleeping with a baby. The bedside bassinet by Ronbei is attached to your bed, so it is easy to reach your infant late at night. The mesh sides allow to let air to circulate. Be sure to remember that bassinets can only be beneficial during the first six months.
The compact crib that is compact offers many of the advantages of a larger crib and is held to similar safety requirements. Although a compact crib will not convert when your child gets older and will likely offer fewer choices for mattress sizes than a bigger crib, it’s large enough to be comfortable and ideal for smaller rooms as a backup to grandma’s house. The mini crib folds down by Delta is an attractive and premium choice.
The Pack and Plays A compact pack and play provides an infant bed but doesn’t take up a lot of space. It can also serve as a playpen. For a simple play area, it’s impossible to go wrong with the Dream on Me Nest Portable Play Yard. However, there are also models with additional features. The Graco Bag and Play on the Go are very well-known and come with a huge bassinet that is perfect for your infant.
Include Nursery Stations Elsewhere
The final idea is to spread your nursery over a large area of your house.
You can set up multiple nursery areas around your home, for example:
You can hang clothes for your kid in part of a closet already in place, particularly if you don’t have enough space.
You could create a distinct area for toys for your child in the recreation closet in the house.
Your child’s bed linens could be in the same closet linens as the other linen closets in the house have access to.
Keep all food products in your kitchen. And ideally, in an area where the sun doesn’t cause damage to food items.
Are There Any Cons When Sharing a Room With an Infant?
In addition to posing a danger to the infant, It has been discovered that babies who share a room sleep for shorter periods and sleep less through the night. In the end, the mothers of these babies are less sleepy; consequently, sleep deprivation can be a possibility for those mothers. Sleep-deprived mothers are more likely to develop PPD (postpartum depression).
Every mother, each baby, and every circumstance is unique and distinct. While sharing a room with your child lowers the chance for SIDS and makes nursing more comfortable for the mom, it can also cause problems for the mother’s health. If you do decide to share, a room takes care to speak to your physician in detail because these guidelines were created to provide guidance and not standard rules that every group of parents must adhere to. Discuss with your doctor your situation and write down the best solution for you and your child!