After Pregnancy

Should The Baby Have Its Own Room?

Most first time parents prefer to have the crib in the same room with them during the first few months after birth. This gives them the reassurance that the baby is just fine and is close enough to care for all through the night. You must remember though, your baby is also going to sleep quite a bit during these early months and you may wish to have a cradle or bassinette in the living room or one that you can roll around with you.

Some babies however, will sleep through the entire night within a couple of weeks from coming home from the hospital. They may not need to be as close as you might think.

However, the decision as to whether the baby should have his or her own room is a personal choice. Remember, once you get the baby use to being so close it can be very hard to get them to stay in their own room at night or even for naps if they have always slept with their parents.

Some parents prefer to move the baby into his own room at around 4 to 6 months once they practically all begin to sleep 6 to 8 hours a night. This will give you and your partner more time to enjoy each other's company again without the worry of waking up the baby.

The most important thing to remember is no matter where the baby sleeps is to ensure that the crib, cradle, or bassinette is safe. Always make sure the crib or other furniture meets the current safety standards. You should never place anything in the crib such as soft pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. Your little one can suffocate on items like these. Never place a pacifier on a string around your baby's neck as this can choke him. Be sure there are no sharp corners that he may roll into.

If your baby is not standing or pulling himself up be sure to check for items such as blinds, drapes, bumper pads used for climbing, and even his own cute mobile can be a dangerous item if in his reach.

You should always place your baby on his or her back or side to sleep; laying them on their tummy gives way for a better chance of suffocation. In addition, sleeping with your baby can be a danger. If you happen to roll over on them or they nuzzle up close they could also suffocate if they are not old enough to roll away.