When and how do I teach my child to sleep in their own room?

There may be various reasons why you want to teach your child to sleep in their own room.

Some choose to do it because they are convinced that it will ensure a better night's sleep for the whole family. Others do it because a little sister or brother is coming into the world soon. Still others do it because they have been recommended it by their health visitor.

But when is my little nugget ready to move sleeping quarters? How do we make the transition as smooth as possible? And how long will it take before my child gets used to sleeping on his own? We will cover these and other relevant questions in the article.

The Danish Health Authority's recommendation: This is how long an infant should sleep in the same room as the parents

The Danish Health Authority has previously published a booklet about children's sleep, including sleeping arrangements, which may be worth reading. In the booklet, the Danish Health Authority makes a number of specific recommendations. One of the recommendations is as follows: "The safest place for an infant to sleep is in its own bed in the same room as the parents. The recommendation applies especially in the first 6 months, but preferably throughout the first year" ( source )

You must therefore wait at least 6 months before moving your child into his or her own room if you choose to follow the recommendation from the Danish Health Authority.

Read also: Advantages and disadvantages of co-sleeping

Is my child ready to sleep in his own room?

There are various recommendations and rules of thumb on this topic, but ultimately it is up to you as a parent to assess when your child is ready to sleep in their own room. And not least when you yourself are ready for your child to sleep in a room other than yours.

Some children are ready to sleep on their own from the age of 6 months, while in other cases it makes sense to wait until the child is older to change sleeping positions.

Some will argue that it is a good idea to move your son or daughter to their own room before the separation phase begins around 8-10 months of age, but again, there is no right or wrong.

Conclusion : You should teach your child to sleep in their own room when both your child and you as parents feel ready. Avoid comparing yourself to others, and don't let yourself be pressured into moving your child into their own room if you don't feel it's the right time to do so.

How to teach your child to sleep in their own room

If you have decided that it is time for your child to sleep in their own room, you should try to make the process as easy and pleasant for all parties as possible. There is no simple recipe for how to teach a child to sleep on their own, but there are some measures that work for most people, and we would like to review these:

1. Let your child get used to their new bed

If your child is going to sleep in a crib, it is important that you show through your body language and actions that the bed is a nice and safe place to be. You can do this, for example, in the following way:

• Put your child to bed while he or she is awake
  
  
• Sing songs to your child
  
  
• Be present, smile and stay calm – it will rub off on your child.
  
  
• Play a little together

The above can be repeated over several days to help your little one develop positive associations with the bed instead of the opposite. This will often make the next phase more smooth.

Tip: To make the crib extra cozy and safe, we recommend purchasing and using a bed rail.

2. Prepare and implement a good putting ritual

We recommend preparing and implementing a bedtime ritual when teaching your child to sleep in their own room. A regular bedtime ritual can help you as a parent, as you always know how to approach the bedtime routine, and the predictability helps create security and peace for your child, as the child quickly becomes familiar with the new habits and routines.

Here is a concrete example of a putting ritual that can be used as inspiration:

1.      Get ready to put your child to bed at the same time every day.

2.      Change to a dry diaper and help your child into their nightgown.

3.      Breastfeed or bottle-feed your child (if the child is still receiving milk)

4.      Put your little nugget in the crib, turn off the ceiling light and turn on the night light.

5.      Create extra security with a cuddly teddy bear in bed

6.      Sing a few bedtime songs to your child while gently stroking their head.

The key words for all of this are time and patience . Your child will get used to sleeping in their own room, but it may take time, and you need to be prepared for that.