Are you struggling to get your little one out of bed? Is co-sleeping something you’re trying to break away from? Weaning a child off sleeping with them can be difficult, but it is doable and will bring greater consistency into both of your lives.
While challenging and exhausting, there are ways that parents can begin to draw boundaries around sleep so children learn how to fall asleep independently on their own and become independent sleepers. Read on for tips about how to stop co-sleeping!
Teach Your Baby To Sleep In Their Own Bed For Naps And At Night-Time
The key to sleep training is teaching your baby to sleep in their own bed and is a consistent bedtime routine. Enforcing an early bedtime routine and sticking to it helps babies learn that it’s time to wind down at a certain hour. Establishing an appropriate sleep area for your baby, such as a crib or a separate cot, allows them to become accustomed to the idea of sleeping on their own.
Encouraging independent play and nap times during the day is also beneficial, as it trains babies to not rely on you for comfort when falling asleep. If they don’t remember how it felt to self-soothe before you left, then chances are they will become distressed and seek the comfort of your presence when trying to fall asleep at night.
Crafting a nurturing environment around nap and bedtime gives your baby the necessary cues and motivates them to engage in their own sleepy activities instead of seeking co-sleeping with you.
Also Read: Can We Put Nasal Drops When Baby Is Sleeping?
Teach The Baby To Self-Settle At The Start Of All Naps While Still In Your Room
Co-sleeping can be a great bonding experience, but teaching your baby to self-settle is important for healthy development. It may require more effort in the beginning, but it pays off long-term. To set your baby up for success, begin to teach them to self-settle at the start of all naps and nighttime sleep while still in your room.
Have a routine, such as a calming bath or massage at the same time each night, then put your baby wakes and down drowsy but still awake and provide reassurance while they settle on their own. If they don’t drift off easily, try giving them light strokes on the back or providing a lovey as an extension of yourself.
Move Your Baby To Its Own Room Now – You Can Camp In With Them For A Few Nights If You Like To Reassure Them
Transitioning a baby from family bed-sharing to their own can be a daunting experience for both the child and the parent. The key to successfully stopping co-sleeping is to be compassionate and patient with your little one.
If you are struggling with anxieties about this transition, the great news is that you can camp in with them for a few nights to reassure them that you are still there despite not being physically together in the same bed. This strategy will help them settle into their new space easier, giving both you and your baby a seamless transition toward an independent sleeping environment.
Also Read: When Can A Baby Sleep With A Stuffed Animal?
Move Out Of Your Baby’s Room And Teach Them To Self-Settle In The Night
Be Consistent
Co-sleeping can be a great way to bond with your baby during the night, but sometimes you need to transition out of it, and allows babies to sleep on their own. To do this, move out of your baby’s room in the middle of the night and give them space for self-settling.
This practice, combined with gradual steps that encourage your baby towards independent sleep, will help both you and your infant feel more secure at night. Establishing a routine that includes stories before bedtime, quiet music or white noise, and soothing lullabies can all help make the transition easier. Ultimately, slowly moving away from co-sleeping and teaching your baby to self-settle will create a safe sleep environment for both of you!
Also Read: How To Put A Baby To Sleep In 40 Seconds
Make Your Child’s Room Special
Making your child’s bedroom a special place is one of the best ways to encourage them to sleep on their own. Make sure they have an inviting environment with comfortable furniture, calming wall art, and a soothing nightlight. Incorporate elements familiar from the family living room such as pillows, rugs, decorations, and toys to help make them feel more at ease in their space.
It’s also important to give your children free rein to personalize the area so that it reflects their own interests and tastes. With small steps like these, you can turn your child’s bedroom into an inviting atmosphere that gets them excited about going to bed in their very own special place.
Also Read: How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Without Being Held
Frequently Asked Questions
At What Age Should You Stop Co-Sleeping?
Co-sleeping, or having a parent’s sleeping space overlap with a child’s, is a popular parenting tactic used to help an infant and/or baby sleep better. But at what age should parents stop co-sleeping? It can be a hard decision to make but the consensus among experts is that it should be around two years old. At this age, children are developing their motor skills and need more room to spread out which can often be difficult within the boundaries of co-sleeping.
Additionally, parents need to reestablish their own sleep space for their own comfort and well-being. Establishing rules and boundaries around bedtime will also help to prevent behaviors that may arise from prolonged co-sleeping such as separation anxiety. Overall, though many benefits come from co-sleeping, it is best practice to stop around two years old for both parties involved to get the most out of the sleeping experience (Learn to create a sleeping schedule for your 2 years old).
Is It Hard To Transition From Co-Sleeping?
For many parents, the idea of giving up co-sleeping can be a daunting one. After all, not only is co-sleeping an incredibly comforting experience for both parents and children – it can also help facilitate bonding between a parent and child. On the other hand, there are compelling reasons why some parents may choose to transition away from co-sleeping over time.
From developing independence in children to promoting healthier sleeping patterns as they grow. Transitioning from co-sleeping is possible – just make sure to do it gradually to ensure your little one feels their needs are still being met.
Also Read: When Can A Baby Sleep With A Stuffed Animal?
Conclusion
Co-sleeping is a controversial topic with many pros and cons. Ultimately, it is up to the parents to decide whether or not they want to co-sleep with their child. If you choose to co-sleep, there are some things you can do to make sure both you and your child get a good night’s sleep. Thank you for reading! We hope this article was helpful.
