When to Move Your Baby In Their Own Room?

3 days ago5 min read

By: Sarah Bossio, Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert

One of the Biggest Parenting Questions is, "When can I move my baby to their own room?" This is one of the most common questions from parents in my group sleep workshops. It's a huge milestone—exciting, a little bittersweet, and terrifying. On one hand, you finally get your space back. Conversely, the thought of being in separate rooms can feel overwhelming.

Hi! I'm Sarah, a certified pediatric sleep expert, and I help families establish healthy sleep habits from birth to age eight. No matter where you are in your sleep journey, know this—it's never too early or too late to create a solid sleeping routine for your little one.

Now, before we discuss when and how to make the transition, let's discuss what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends and why. If you've been feeling confused about room sharing, baby sleeping in a crib, or whether your six-month-old is ready, you're not alone.

What Does the AAP Say About Room Sharing?

The AAP provides evidence-based suggestions for the safest sleeping arrangements for babies. What's their current recommendation? Share a room until the infant is six months old.

Wait, though—wasn't it a year ago? Yes! Room sharing was once advised by the AAP for a full year. However, they changed it to six months in order to balance the baby's development, safety, and the sleep quality.

So, what exactly is room sharing?

Your baby sleeps in your room's bassinet or baby crib but on its safe sleep surface (never in your bed).

But here's where things get tricky:

Babies start rolling at 3-4 months, making the bassinet unsafe.
If your crib doesn't fit in your room, what do you do?
What if you're losing sleep because of every little sound they make?

Let's break it down so you can feel confident making the best choice for your family.

My Own Experience Moving My Babies

Every baby is different. And guess what? So are parents!

Baby #1: The Noisy Sleeper

When my first was born, I had no idea how loud newborns could be at night. She grunted, cooed, and shuffled—all night long. I barely slept because I was on high alert with every baby's cry.

At two weeks old, I decided to move her to her baby crib in her room (which, full disclosure, was right next to mine). I kept her door open, used a baby monitor, and had a sound machine. It made a world of difference—I could finally sleep, and so could she.

Baby #2: A Different Story

With my second? She stayed in our room until she was four months old. She wasn't as noisy, and I felt more comfortable with her nearby.

The takeaway? There's no one-size-fits-all approach. The right time to move your baby depends on what works for your family.

When Should You Move Your Baby?

Your Baby is a Noisy Sleeper (And You're Not Sleeping!)

Some babies grumble, coo, and move a lot in their sleep. If your little one wakes you up every five minutes (and they're okay), it might be time for a new sleep space.

Your Baby is Rolling or Outgrowing the Bassinet

If your baby is rolling over (often happens at 3-4 months), keeping them in a baby's bassinet is not safe.
Some babies are too big for the bassinet earlier than six months.

If your baby crib doesn't fit in your room, moving them to their own space is okay.

Your Baby is Six Months Old

By this time, they've hit a developmental stage where they start sitting, standing, or pulling up.
If they're room-sharing beyond this point, they might wake up more often because they know you're there!

Nighttime Breastfeeding Has Become Less Frequent

If your baby is still waking up every hour to feed, they might not be ready.
But the transition can be smoother if they've stretched their night feeds and don't rely on nursing to sleep.

How to Make the Transition Smooth & Safe

So, you've decided it's time. Now what?

Set Up a Baby Monitor 📷

A video monitor helps you monitor your baby while allowing them to adjust to their own sleep space.

Keep the Bedtime Routine the Same 🛏️

Swaddle (if your baby still likes it)
A soothing bath
A little snuggle
Lay them down drowsy but awake.

Remove Unsafe Items From the Crib ❌

No crib bumpers, pillows, or stuffed toys—just a firm mattress and a fitted sheet.

Start With Naps First

If moving them at night feels overwhelming, have the baby sleep in a crib for daytime naps first.

5. Stay Consistent

Yes, there may be a few rough nights.

But babies adapt quickly when given a predictable routine.

Common Concerns

What if my baby doesn't sleep well alone?

They might not at first. However, consistent sleep habits will help them adjust.

Will I still hear my baby's cries?

Absolutely. A monitor will help, and opening doors open can ease the transition.

What if my baby wakes up more after the move?

This can happen. Give it a week or two. Babies sleep in a crib better once they get used to their new sleeping arrangements.

Can we wait longer?

Yes! Some families safely bed share. Other room share beyond six months. But it's okay to make the move if you're struggling with sleep.

Final Thoughts

You know your baby best. While AAP recommendations offer guidance, your family's comfort and sleep quality matter, too, if moving your baby helps everyone sleep better, that's a win.

If you're feeling anxious, that's normal. But remember—you're doing a fantastic job, and this transition is just another part of your baby's growth.

Do you have questions about moving your baby to their room? Drop them in the comments! I'd love to hear about your experience.

And hey—if you found this helpful, hit the thumbs up, subscribe, and check out my website, yoursandbabysleep.com, for more baby sleep resources! 😴✨

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I work with families one-on-one all the time who are experiencing issues with their babies' naps, overnight sleep, and more. If this sounds like you, please book a 15-minute sleep assessment call just so I can understand a little bit more about your child's sleep and then explain ways that I can work one-on-one with you to get it in order.

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