Sharing your bedroom with your baby is an ideal solution if you have little space or want peace of mind that your baby is safe throughout the night. If you've made the decision to share your bedroom with your new arrival, you need to take some precautions to help ensure the best experience for all of you and to protect your baby against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies up to a year old, so take care and sleep safe.
Step 1
Find an isolated area of your bedroom where you can create a safe space for your baby's crib or bassinet. This will keep your baby nearby without encroaching on your personal space. You can use a walk-in closet to keep your baby in your room while still retaining some of your own space. Or choose a corner of the room for baby things while leaving the rest of the room untouched.
Step 2
Turn the TV off. If you relax at the end of the day by lying in bed and watching your favorite show, it can interrupt your child's sleeping patterns when she is sharing a room with you. Even if she's asleep, the noise and lights can be overstimulating and keep her from getting the quality sleep she needs, according to "Time" magazine. Watch TV in the living room so your bedroom is a place of rest.
Step 3
Evaluate your sleeping environment to make sure it's the optimum noise level, light level and temperature for a small baby. What might feel comfortable for you might be too hot or cold for your baby. According to Children's Hospital Boston, the best sleeping temperature for a baby is one that feels comfortable to an adult who is lightly dressed. Avoid overheating, which can cause a deeper sleep and can cause problems if your baby's airways and breathing are restricted.
Step 4
Keep your baby in a separate baby bed. Adult beds are not for small babies, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. While bed-sharing or co-sleeping is a popular practice among parents, it can be deadly. The soft materials and pillows of an adult bed are not made for a developing newborn, and they can cause suffocation. You also might roll onto your baby and cause injury. If you want to share your bed, choose a crib that attaches to the side of your bed to keep baby at arm's length.
