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June 2016 Moms
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benefits of room sharing

jpocnjjpocnj member
in June 2016 Moms
Are there more benefits to room sharing than just the convenience of having the baby nearby when they get fussy during the night?  Is it just a peace of mind thing for parents to want a new baby close by?  I'm a FTM and I'm planning on having the baby in a bassinet in our room for a bit, but once DH returns to work 3 weeks after the birth I'm going to have to grab the baby during the night and leave the room to get her back to sleep so DH can get some rest, so it seems a little silly to even have her in our room at that point.

I feel kind of dumb even asking this because the convenience seems like an obvious reason why you'd room share, but are there other benefits here that I'm missing?!
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Re: benefits of room sharing

  • purplefan1purplefan1 member
    Some studies have indicated a possible slight reduction in SIDS when baby room shares.
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  • keerolokeerolo member
    Our local health authority recommends room sharing for 6 months to decrease SIDS risk. I know for many that is way too long, I recommend just bring open to doing what works when the time comes :)
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  • GinnyJ2012GinnyJ2012 member
    Our pediatrician recommends at least 6 weeks. I can't remember all the reasons, but a reduced risk of SIDS was one. We room shared with our second for about 5 months and DH didn't have problems. He hardly heard the baby cry, but he slept with ear plugs. Since I stay at home I handle al MOTN feedings and changings. We have a small couch in our room that I used for nursing. Our room as a sitting area (usually a waste of space, but awesome with new baby), he slept next to the bed by me for 6 weeks then we moved him to the sitting area after that.


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  • jpocnjjpocnj member
    Ah I hadn't even considered the risk of SIDS.  It's really scary how there are so many factors that help to prevent SIDS, and yet no solid reason as to what causes exactly it.
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  • Rawa1416Rawa1416 member
    My suggestion is to not get your heart too set on one thing or another because you really have no idea what is going to work best for LO until they're here.

    Example, we planned on DD being in her room around 6 weeks but she wouldn't sleep without us until we sleep trained at 7 months so we room shared until then.
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  • Bee112309Bee112309 member
    My DH slept through the baby crying in our room every time. I have no idea how, but it happened with both of my girls. Since I breastfed, I never saw the need to wake him up. If I had to be up to feed them anyway, I did the changing and rocking back to sleep, too. It made life easier for our family, although I know it doesn't work for everyone.


     
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  • AmberLiz99AmberLiz99 member
    Both of my kids have gone right into their nursery, and this one will too. I use a video monitor turned up all the way while they are little, and follow all the usual recommendations for reducing SIDS, so I don't feel like it's a risk. I also like that I never had to switch my kids into a crib or go through the transition of changing rooms, etc. It has worked for us.
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  • CourtJackCourtJack member

    For me, it was a comfort issue. I just wanted my baby right beside me until I felt ready to put him/her in her own room.  I'll be room sharing again this time - and to echo a PP - I don't take the baby out of the room when they wake up in the night. I nurse in my bed, change bum as appropriate re-swaddle and back in the bassinet they go. DH doesn't stir - and if he does, it's a five minute wake up and he'll go back to sleep - he doesn't mind at all.

    I realize this is not the case for everyone, but it worked for us.

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  • goldie987goldie987 member
    Ditto to the SIDS risk. Something about hearing the parents even breathing is supposed to help regulate the baby's breathing/keep them breathing. Since we still don't really know what causes SIDS, I would rather do everything in my power to prevent it. Plus, I know myself, I want to be able to roll over and visually check on them and then fall back to sleep.
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  • Emztron500Emztron500 member
    Frankly, some babies will not sleep without your presence. My baby was one of those. Literally needed physical contact through the night. I would plan to have baby by your side at first (it is recommended to room share for 5-6 months) but not get too attached to any particular sleeping arrangement because babies have their own ideas.
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  • MynaBirdMynaBird member
    I wouldn't describe the reduction in SIDS risk associated with room-sharing as "slight." AAP says it decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent. See recommendation #3 in this document.

    This article makes some good pro-and-con points that ring true to me and my experience room-sharing. There is some helpful experience/insight in the comments, too.
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  • Tawny87Tawny87 member
    jpocnj said:

    Ah I hadn't even considered the risk of SIDS.  It's really scary how there are so many factors that help to prevent SIDS, and yet no solid reason as to what causes exactly it.

    Apparently there is a recent study out where scientists believe that it is linked to a problem with the brain stem.
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