It's important to know there are laws in place to help make sure everyone's home is safe and comfortable. Legislation states that children of the opposite sex over the age of 10 should not share rooms - and that this can be considered overcrowding.
children aged 5 to 17 shouldn't share a bedroom with a child of the opposite gender aged 4 and under. single household members aged 18 and over, and any children who aren't related need a separate bedroom.
Except for special and/or extreme circumstances, there are no laws specifying how siblings share a room, even siblings with different genders.
There are no 'siblings sharing a room law' Australia enforces, so your perspective of the sibling dynamic is what matters most.
For those who are homeowners or renting privately, the present guidelines are that once a child reaches the age of 10 years ideally, they should not room share with a sibling of the opposite sex.
At what age is it okay for siblings to share a room? I generally don't recommend that babies share a room with a sibling until a MINIMUM of 6 months of age, but preferably until they are at least one.
Room-sharing basics
Ideally, children who share a room should be as close in age as possible. A 3-year-old and a 6-year-old are more likely to have compatible schedules than a teenager and a baby. (Gender is a factor for many families, although this is not related to sleep.)
As we said, the AAP recommends room-sharing for at least six months. But that's not a hard and fast rule, and some families move their little one to the nursery before they reach the half-year mark.
Boys and Girls Age 5+ Should Not Share a Room
CPS usually does not approve of children of opposite genders sharing rooms after age 5. If one sibling is over the age of 5, it is suggested that they move into their own room. If a family has one child of each gender, the answer to the question would be “yes.”
If children are of the same sex, sharing a room as long as both children are comfortable doing so is just fine. If your children are close and feel comfortable sharing their space and possessions, sharing a room can build a bond that will last a lifetime, so a children's bunk bed may be the perfect option.
Although some parents see benefits to co-sleeping with their child, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend it. It's much safer for your infant or toddler to sleep alone in their own bed.
In Australia, there is no minimum age which a child can legally refuse to see a parent following divorce or separation. Of course, once children of divorce reach the age of 18 years they can make their own decisions about where they live or which parent they want to spend time with.
It is important to let them have this space once they grow older and reaches various developmental milestones, mentally and physically. It will soon become the space where they sleep, play, study and dream. So it is advisable to ease them into their own spaces once they start becoming independent.
After six months, there's no problem with your baby and your toddler sharing a room, provided that they both sleep well. In fact, being together at night-time may enhance your children's relationship and even increase their sense of comfort and security while they're both young.
Age. In theory, siblings of any age could share a room, but a good time to make the move is when the younger kid is sleeping through the night, so as not to disturb the other child, says Edwards, who runs Wee Bee Dreaming Pediatric Sleep Consulting in Kamloops, BC.
Baby should sleep in their own cot, in your room, for the first twelve months. No soft or puffy bedding and don't use pillows. Make sure baby's face and head are uncovered.
Generally, a bedroom should not have more than two children in it. Two people per bedroom is generally considered an occupancy limit for rental purposes. In many cases, there is a “2+1” occupancy limit that states you can have two people per bedroom, plus one person in a living space.
The simple answer: any age, but I recommend waiting until the youngest is at LEAST 2.5 years old (sleep regressions before then happen almost every 6 months, yikes!). If you decide to move your children into the same room, read the below and follow the steps, and manage your own expectations.
Focus on safe sleep
Six months to a year, to be exact. Yep! According to the AAP, sharing a room with parents for at least the first six months of life, and optimally, the first year, decreases a baby's chance of SIDS by up to 50%. (To be clear, the guidelines specify sharing a room, not a sleeping surface.)
While the AAP strongly advises against parents bed-sharing with infants, they strongly recommend room-sharing, which keeps babies close to their parents in the same room (often within arm's reach) but on their own safe sleeping surface like a bassinet or crib.
Having their own room means that children can benefit from some peace and quiet. This is especially good for introverted children who desire quiet space and time alone as well as for older children who want to read or study in peace; something which they may not get in a shared room.
Household members under 18 years of age of the same sex may share a bedroom, except lone parents and those living as part of a married or common-law couple. Household members under 5 years of age of the opposite sex may share a bedroom if doing so would reduce the number of required bedrooms.