When you bring a new baby home, it’s completely natural to want them as close to you as possible throughout the night. Those first few months are a whirlwind of late-night feedings, snuggles, and learning your baby’s cues. Room-sharing — a safe way for parents and babies to sleep near each other — offers the comfort of closeness with the reassurance of safety.

Key Takeaways

• Room-sharing, where your baby sleeps in their own safe space in your room, is recommended for at least the first six months to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  

• Unlike bed-sharing, room-sharing keeps baby on a separate, flat sleep surface (bassinet or crib) for maximum safety.
  

• Studies show that room-sharing in the first six months does not negatively impact later sleep or behavior.
  

• Some research even links early room-sharing with better long-term sleep quality and stronger emotional development.
  

Families can consider transitioning baby to their nursery after six months of age if sleep disruptions increase — every baby and home routine is unique.

Introduction: Why Parents Love Sleeping Close to Baby

There’s something deeply instinctive about wanting your baby nearby while you sleep. For centuries — and in many cultures still today — parents have kept their babies close at night. It’s not just practical; it’s emotional and facilitates the bond between mother and baby after birth. 

Hearing every tiny sigh and rustle brings peace of mind. It means you can respond to your baby’s needs quickly, whether it’s a midnight feed, diaper change, or gentle reassurance. For breastfeeding mothers, having the baby nearby makes nighttime feedings easier, helps to maintain milk supply, and can support continued breastfeeding success.

But while closeness feels right, how you share that space matters. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep in the parents’ room, but on a separate, safe surface (like a crib, bassinet, or HALO® BassiNest®) for at least the first six months. This setup balances connection and safety — allowing for bonding without the risks of sharing a bed.

(Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023)

Featuring the HALO Smart Bassinest 3.0C

What Is Co-Sleeping? (And Why It Can Be Confusing)

The term co-sleeping can be confusing because, while it is common associated with bed-sharing, the term actually covers different types of arrangements. At its simplest, co-sleeping means parents and babies sleep near each other. But there are two main forms:

Co-sleeping has been the norm for many cultures across the world for centuries. Modern research highlights that room-sharing, not bed-sharing, provides the safest way to keep your baby close to you during their overnight sleep. 

Room-sharing lets you respond quickly to your baby while maintaining a separate, firm surface for sleep. It’s the best of both worlds — comfort and safety combined.

(Source: AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines, 2023; Sleep Foundation, 2022)

The Benefits of Room-Sharing (a Safe Form of Co-Sleeping)

Room-sharing offers significant emotional and practical benefits for families — without compromising safety.

Key benefits include:

• Reduced SIDS Risk: Babies who sleep in their parents’ room (but not the same bed) have a lower risk of SIDS by up to 50%.
  

• Supports Breastfeeding: Having your baby nearby makes feeding easier and more sustainable for mothers.
  

• Easier Nighttime Care: Quick access for soothing or checking on your baby without fully waking up.
  

• Emotional Closeness: Parents feel reassured, and babies gain security knowing you’re nearby.
  

• Better Rest for Everyone: Less disruption and worry can lead to improved sleep quality.
  

HALO’s BassiNest® makes room-sharing simple and safe — keeping your baby within arm’s reach on their own separate, firm sleep surface.

(Sources: AAP 2023; National Sleep Foundation 2022)

The Risks of Bed-Sharing (and Why Room-Sharing Is Safer)

While many parents are tempted to bring their baby into bed for convenience, bed-sharing carries serious safety concerns.

Risks include:

• Suffocation: Soft bedding, pillows, or a parent’s body can block a baby’s airway.
  

• Entrapment: Babies can become wedged between a mattress and headboard or wall.
  

• Overheating: Sleeping too close to an adult or under heavy blankets raises body temperature.

• SIDS: Bed-sharing is a risk for SIDS, particularly if a baby is very young, a soft mattress is used, and pillow or blankets are nearby.

• Falls: Babies can fall out of the family bed, especially after learning the skill of rolling and crawling.
  

Parents are often very sleep deprived in the early weeks and months of life. Even with the best intentions, this exhaustion can lead to accidents. That’s why the AAP and CDC both recommend room-sharing, not bed-sharing, for at least six months.

(Source: AAP Safe Sleep Recommendations, 2023)

How to Create a Safe Room-Sharing Setup

Setting up your space for safe, restful nights doesn’t have to be complicated.

Here’s how to get started:

• Choose a separate sleep surface: A crib, bassinet, or bedside sleeper that meets current CPSC safety standards.
  

• Use a firm, fitted mattress: Avoid soft bedding, pillows, bumpers, or stuffed animals.
  

• Ensure good airflow: Look for breathable mesh sides to promote circulation.
  

• Dress baby safely: Use a HALO® SleepSack® wearable blanket instead of loose blankets.
  

• Keep it clutter-free: Remove cords, curtains, or furniture near the sleep area.
  

• Maintain a comfortable temperature: Aim for 68–72°F (20–22°C).
  

The HALO® BassiNest® offers 360° swivel access, breathable mesh walls, and a sturdy base — making room-sharing easy, ergonomic, and safe.

(Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2023)

The Emotional Benefits of Room-Sharing

Beyond physical safety, room-sharing nurtures emotional security and bonding.

• Increased parent-infant connection: Proximity helps parents learn and respond to subtle cues.
  

• Enhanced infant comfort: Babies feel soothed knowing their caregiver is near.
  

• Reduced parental anxiety: Hearing and seeing your baby brings peace of mind.
  

• Supports emotional regulation: Babies learn that their needs will be met, fostering long-term trust and resilience.
  

The rhythmic sounds of your baby breathing nearby can be reassuring — a reminder that closeness and safety can coexist beautifully.

(Source: Sleep Foundation, 2022)

When and How to Transition Out of Room-Sharing

While room-sharing is recommended for at least six months, every baby’s readiness to transition is unique.

Consider moving your baby to their own room when:

• They’re outgrowing the bassinet or starting to roll or sit up.
  
  Frequent wakings or distractions affect everyone’s sleep.
  

• You find yourself unintentionally bed-sharing due to fatigue.
  

How to transition gently:

1. Start with daytime naps in their nursery.
   

2. Make the room familiar — play, feed, and read there.
   

3. Move bedtime gradually once your baby adjusts.
   

4. Keep consistent routines and use familiar sleepwear, like the HALO® SleepSack®, to signal bedtime.
   

(Source: AAP, 2023)

Wrapping Up: Safe Closeness Matters

Room-sharing offers the perfect scenario for overnight sleep— closeness, comfort, and safety. By keeping your baby in your room but on a separate sleep surface, you can strengthen your bond, simplify nights, and lower sleep-related risks.

HALO’s mission has always been simple: to make safe sleep easier for every family. If you’re exploring options for room-sharing, the HALO® BassiNest® provides the comfort of closeness with the peace of mind of safety — for both you and your baby.

References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Safe Sleep Recommendations: How to Keep Your Baby Safe During Sleep. (2023). HealthyChildren.org
   

2. National Sleep Foundation. Room-Sharing and Infant Sleep Safety. (2022). SleepFoundation.org

3. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Infant Sleep Products Rule. (2023). CPSC.gov