There's no single "right" age to stop bed-sharing, as it's a family decision, but experts suggest transitioning out of bed-sharing by toddlerhood (around 18 months to 3 years) for better independence, though some families continue longer, with some psychologists suggesting around puberty (age 11) for privacy, while acknowledging no proven harm for older kids, just stronger habits. Key factors include family needs, child's readiness, and ensuring safety, especially for babies where the AAP recommends a separate surface (cot/bassinet) in parents' room for the first 6-12 months to reduce SIDS risk.
If you are co-sleeping with a baby who is under 12 months, we would recommend getting them sleeping in their own bed again as soon as possible. Over 12 months, the risk of SIDs - sudden unexplained infant death, decreases, so there is less urgency in stopping co-sleeping.
It's very common in many cultures for children to sleep in their parents room until they're 8 or even 10. And they adjust just fine whenever it's time to go to their own space. If it doesn't seem to affect her life or yours, do you!
The 5-3-3 rule is a baby sleep training method for night weaning and fostering independent sleep, involving a baby sleeping 5 hours, staying awake for 3 (for a feed if needed), then sleeping another 3 hours, and continuing in 3-hour increments, teaching them to self-soothe after the initial long stretch, though it's a flexible guideline, not strict; it aims to create longer stretches for parents while meeting the baby's needs, often used around 4-6 months.
Ideally, a typically developing 10-12 year old can sleep in their own bed even if they prefer not to sleep alone. My daughter is 12 and would happily sleep in my bed with me every night, but she has her own bed and generally doesn't have issues sleeping there.
The 7-7-7 rule of parenting generally refers to dedicating three daily 7-minute periods of focused, undistracted connection with your child (morning, after school, bedtime) to build strong bonds and make them feel seen and valued. A less common interpretation involves three developmental stages (0-7 years of play, 7-14 years of teaching, 14-21 years of advising), while another offers a stress-relief breathing technique (7-second inhale, hold, exhale).
Contrary to the misconception that co-sleeping fosters dependency, children who feel securely attached often become more independent and self-assured as they mature.
SIDS is less common after 8 months of age, but parents and caregivers should continue to follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death until baby's first birthday. More than 90% of all SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age.
The "3-2-1 Bedroom Method" (or a variation like the 10-3-2-1 rule) is a sleep hygiene strategy to improve rest by staggering when you stop certain activities before bed: stop heavy food/alcohol 3 hours before, stop work/mental stress 2 hours before, and turn off screens (phones, TVs, computers) 1 hour before sleep, creating a better wind-down for your body.
Yes, the Navy SEAL sleep trick (an 8-minute power nap with elevated legs) is a real technique for quick rest, popularized by former SEAL Jocko Willink, that helps improve alertness and reduce fatigue, though its effectiveness depends on individual relaxation skills and it's not a substitute for full nighttime sleep. The method involves lying down, elevating your feet above your heart (on a chair or couch), relaxing facial muscles, dropping shoulders, and clearing your mind for about 8-10 minutes to promote relaxation and blood flow, preventing grogginess.
For example, co-sleeping during the school-aged years has been associated with problems initiating sleep, less nighttime sleep, more daytime sleepiness, more bedtime resistance, increased nighttime awakenings, and greater levels of sleep anxiety (Blader et al.
"70/30 parenting" refers to a child custody arrangement where one parent has the child for about 70% of the time (the primary parent) and the other parent has them for 30% (often weekends and some mid-week time), creating a stable "home base" while allowing the non-primary parent significant, meaningful involvement, but it also requires strong communication and coordination to manage schedules, school events, and disagreements effectively.
The general co-sleeping prevalence ranged from 51.6 to 62.8% in infancy (0–12 months), 59.4% at preschool age (3–5 years), and 10–23% in preadolescence (10–12) around the globe (Mindell et al., 2017, 2013; Rath & Okum, 1995).
If you decide to stay in the nursery for a bit at bedtime, “try to leave the room when your baby is dozing off but not yet asleep,” she says. “And each night, move the chair further away from the crib toward the bedroom door.” Teach baby to fall asleep on her own.
There is no guideline for an age when co-sleeping should be stopped or started, just as there is no guideline for when comfort toys should be kept or discarded.
Generally, experts recommend that the sooner your little one learns to sleep in their crib or bed, the better. It may be easier to train toddlers (between the ages of 1-3) to sleep in their own crib since they can't get out.
Three hours before sleep: No more meals or heavy foods. Digestion requires energy, and eating right before bed can keep you awake. Aim to finish your last meal at least three hours before you plan to hit the sack. This gives your body ample time to digest and ensures you won't be awake from indigestion or heartburn.
In his piece, he revealed that through his years of research, he's found that rumination is the biggest thing that causes poor sleep. He says that being worried about something at night has affected his own ability to fall asleep.
Consistency is key in the Montessori approaches to sleep. Create a predictable bedtime routine that lets your little one know it's time to unwind and prepare for sleep. That routine can include soothing activities such as a warm bath, quiet play, recounting the day or reading a bedtime story.
Infants are at the highest risk for SIDS during their first 6 months of life. Most SIDS deaths occur when babies are between 1 and 4 months of age.
SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant between the ages of 1 month and 1 year old that doesn't have a known cause, even after a complete investigation.
Parents, babysitters, day care workers and other caregivers should always put babies to sleep on their backs, instead of on their stomachs. Studies have shown that putting babies to sleep on their backs has reduced the number of SIDS cases by as much as a half.
While co-sleeping is known to reduce a baby's stress, it depends on the level. One study that asked parents about this subject found that children who had experienced one of two co-sleeping arrangements had lower anxiety levels at preschool age compared with those who had co-slept for less than six months.
Separation anxiety, on the other hand, can cause much longer phases of clinginess. According to the AAP, many children begin having some feelings of separation anxiety around the time they're 8 months old, with the phase peaking between 10 and 18 months and mostly resolving by the time a child turns 2.
Don't adjust your bedtime routine.
Improved sleep during a sleep regression stage is a welcome surprise which is why sticking with your normal bedtime routine is so important. Moving through your usual bath, book, and cuddle time allows your child to understand that this is what happens before bedtime—all of the time.