Weaning From Co-Sleeping

Moving from the family bed

Many parents find that shared-sleeping children are reluctant to move from the family bed to their own bed. However, as they grow older or when encouraged, they will eventually venture out from the "comfort zone".

When is the best time to wean your kid from the family bed, and how to do it? There's no rule and guideline for it. We can encourage the kid and make sleeping in his own room fun and interesting. And if at all possible, let the kid decide if it's time for him to do so.

The best time to move out from the family bed

My sister's 2 boys (about the same age as Adriel and Jeriel) had been shared sleeping with their parents.

It didn't matter how they were forced or pacified to move to their own room, they continued to squeeze in the queen-sized bed. One of them would sure be required to sleep on the extra mattress on the floor.

However, ever since they moved to their new home not long ago, the boys have been voluntarily sleeping in their own room.

So, when the kids are ready, they are ready. We don't have to rush them out!

Here are some suggestions:

1. Having your kid in your room or bed for only part of the night.

2. Let him fall asleep in your bed and then move him to his own room.

3. Stay together in the kid's bed until he falls asleep.

4. Allow your kid to sleep with you if he feels the need even if he has already been sleeping in his room for sometime.

5. Let the kid sleep together with a sibling in the sibling's bedroom until he's fully ready to sleep on his own.

6. Let the kid help in decorating his room and allow him to make some minor decision on how the room should be like. This will excite him and he will be proud of it and more willing to sleep in his room.

Be flexible on the process. It's easier if the kid is well informed and has enough time to adjust to the new environment.

Our kids won't be forever sleeping with us. That's for sure!

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