The Oprah Winfrey Show
Oprah's Best Life Series
Harpo Films
For One More Day
The Great Debaters
O, The Oprah Magazine
Subscribe Today
Oprah Radio
Oprah's Angel Network
Oprah's Book Club
9 of 11
Bedtime Guidelines
Room and bed-sharing: Some parents may feel sharing their bedroom and/or bed with their child is more natural than having separate rooms and that it is important for emotional development. There may be cultural preferences as well.
From the point of view of obtaining uninterrupted sleep and considering various social and psychological issues, it is generally not a good idea. First, everyone sleeps better alone—that is, we have fewer sleep disturbances and awakenings. Children in the same bed and/or bedroom also may not learn how to fall asleep themselves and tend to have sleep problems. Smothering is also a concern.
Having a child in the bed with you may also have serious effects on your intimacy and sex life. Leaving your child with a sitter may become an issue as well. The longer the child sleeps in your bed, the more difficult it becomes to decide exactly when he or she should stop and eventually move into their own room. Sleeping separately is also important to help a child learn to separate without anxiety and form his or her own identity.
From the point of view of obtaining uninterrupted sleep and considering various social and psychological issues, it is generally not a good idea. First, everyone sleeps better alone—that is, we have fewer sleep disturbances and awakenings. Children in the same bed and/or bedroom also may not learn how to fall asleep themselves and tend to have sleep problems. Smothering is also a concern.
Having a child in the bed with you may also have serious effects on your intimacy and sex life. Leaving your child with a sitter may become an issue as well. The longer the child sleeps in your bed, the more difficult it becomes to decide exactly when he or she should stop and eventually move into their own room. Sleeping separately is also important to help a child learn to separate without anxiety and form his or her own identity.
Related Links
Related WebMD Resources:
SOURCES:Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems, Richard Ferber, 1985. Sleeping Through the Night; How Infants, Toddlers and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep, Jodi Mindell, PhD, 1997. Helping Your Child Sleep Through the Night; A Guide for Parents of Children from Infancy to Age Five, Cuthbertson & Schevill, 1985. National Sleep Foundation's 2004 "Sleep in America Poll."
