When is the right time to let a 2 year old sleep in his own room?

Question

I am 8 weeks pregnant n have a son who wil trun 2 in May tis year. I dun wan him to feel tht he was put separate coz of the new baby currently he sleeps in between me n my hubby. Whn wil be the right age to let him sleep in his room alone... Pls advice tq

Answer 1

This is completely up to you, your partner and your child. Every family is different and we all have different ways of raising our children and on top of that each child is different. My daughter was very independent and wanted her own bed, my second son liked being in our room, but after awhile wanted his own bed in our room and eventually wanted his own room. It is good when they can be involved in the decision. He was nearly 3. My youngest son at 4 still likes to sleep in our bed sometimes. Sometimes in his own bed. They are all different. There is no point forcing on you or your child something that you are not ready for. Decide why you are thinking now about moving him to his own room. If it is because others are telling you to, then maybe you should be thinking about what you feel on the subject. I know of children sharing their parents bed till partway through primary school growing up to be well adjusted adults. And then of course babies in their own room since birth still becoming well adjusted adults. You have to decide what method works best for you and what you will be most happy with because ultimately, you are the one who has to live with any decision made.

Answer 2

I think the basic question here is whether your DS is ready to move into his own room.

If not, you might want to consider placing a cot or mattress on the floor in your room. It is a good way to transition from the family bed into his own bed and then his own room.

I also feel I should point out that there is no reason why your son should have to move to another room. If you are concerned for the safety of the infant after birth, the floor mattress works wonders.

A great place for information re: sleep sharing and the family bed can be found on mothering.com in the forums. I'll link below.

Answer 3

Get him excited about the baby and being a big brother. Let him pick out his Big Boy bedding and help set up his Big Boy room. Make sure there is a night light so he isn't scared, I slept with my sons blanket so it would smell like me. We started by sleeping in his room half the night and then the whole night. You have to be consistent. Buy a gate to put in front of his door that what he has to stay in his room but doesn't feel like he is locked up. Let him cry, he's not hurting and he has to learn to sleep by himself. If you go to him you are only teaching him that at some point you will give in to what he wants. It's a hard two weeks but do it now before you have a little one to take care of also. Don't put the new baby in your bed!!! Lots of luck

Answer 4

He shouldn't be sleeping with you right now, first of all due to roll over deaths and secondly because it can cause emotional issues the older he gets if not already. You should let him pick out his own bed and sheets and let him know since he's a big boy he gets his own room. Avoid this problem with the new baby, ask the pediatrician and your OB and they will both tell you it is not safe or healthy to allow your child to sleep with you. Good Luck and just remember that you need to make sure he knows he's not being punishes but he's getting a privilege for being a big boy.

Answer 5

The right time would have been when you brought him home from the hospital combined with the use of a baby monitor. If no monitor, then at least when he slept through out the night. Definately move him into his own room before the new baby arrives! And never get in the "habit" of letting them sleep in the same bed with you.

Answer 6

It's recommended you move them to their own room at a year old. You must all be very close but he does need to be a little more independent. I'd move him BEFORE baby arrives so he doesn't connect the two events. You could put a chair in his bedroom and sit with him for a while until he falls asleep until he gets used to sleeping on his own.
Just thought I'd add this because of peoples ignorance. Hospitals are now encouraging co-sleeping with newborns. It helps you to bond, makes breast feeding easier and helps a new baby feel secure. The only time you should avoid this is if you are a smoker or drink alcohol. I was given a leaflet from my midwife after both births.

Answer 7

He should have already been in his own room. Letting him sleep with you and hubby will make it harder for the transition to his own bed and room. Start now so he doesn't think it's the new baby's fault he's being put in his own room. Make a big deal about how he's a big boy and will have his own big boy bed. It's not going to be easy though. He will keep coming back in your room to sleep because it's what he's known for 2 yrs.

Answer 8

You have several months to get him used to sleeping in his own room, so it shouldn't be a problem. A lot of babies sleep in their own room either from the beginning or at least once they're past a month old.

If you don't move him out before the baby arrives then you should plan to let him stay and put a bassinet for the baby in your room. The baby will be too little to sleep in your bed. That's dangerous.

Answer 9

He should have been sleeping in his own room from the day he was brought home from the hospital. This would have him used to being in his own room. Put him in his own room now, before the baby is born, and be sure the new baby has his/her own room right away too. This should help reassure your son he was not put in a room by himself because of the new baby. He may even enjoy it, knowing he has his own room.

Answer 10

Move him into his own room because he is a BIG boy now. Let him help decide what room decorations he wants. When his room is ready and If you have a friend with a child about his same age let him have a guest as a sleep over. If you have enough bedrooms give your newborn a room of his/her own also. Will make it a lot easier later on.