Should my newborn sleep in my bedroom or the nursery?

Check out our list of pros and cons on whether a baby should sleep in the crib or bedroom

Parents have different views when asked as to where a newborn should be sleeping. There are parents who want to their baby to sleep in the same room with them. On the other hand, some parents prefer their babies to sleep in a separate nursery. It can be difficult to make such a big decision as first time parents, so we help you weigh the pros and cons of both arrangements:

Co-sleeping

Pros

• When it comes to feedings, co-sleeping eliminates the hassle of having to get up and go to the other room. Since the baby is already in the same room or bed as you are, you just need to be beside your infant and feed.
• When co-sleeping, your newborn usually sleeps longer. This is because the infant feels safer with you and partner around. Your baby will feel comfortable with your familiar warmth and scent within the room.
• After a month or two of co-sleeping, the newborn should be sleeping at the same time as you do. This is a start of a sleeping cycle that’s advantageous for the both of you.
• SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is greatly reduced since you can keep an eye on your baby.

Cons

• In the first few weeks, everyone sleeping in the same room as the baby will have a hard time sleeping. You and your husband would be roused at odd hours at night every time your baby cries.
• If you have decided that your newborn should be sleeping in the same room as you do, be prepared to say goodbye to your sex life for months. Because of the baby’s presence in your room, you would feel awkward doing the deed or feel afraid of waking your baby during ‘sexy time’.
• As your baby grows older, you’ll have a hard time transferring your angel to a crib or a different room since they are so used to sleeping with you.

Here are some pros and cons of having your baby sleep in a crib

Crib sleeping in another room

Pros:

• If you have decided that your newborn should be sleeping in the nursery, any worries about room transfers will be eliminated.
• Maintaining the intimacy between you and your husband is easier since you don’t have to worry about disturbing your infant.

Cons:

• Feedings can become tiring, especially since you will have to get up and go to a different part of the house at different hours of the night.
• Cribs are an added expense to the family and would only be useful for about 2 to 3 years.
• Cribs possess a lot of potential dangers to small children. Parents end up looking in on their baby multiple times just to make sure everything is okay.

Both of these sleeping arrangements have their own advantages and disadvantages. But it is up to you to decide on which one is safer and convenient for you and your baby.

What is your opinion about these sleeping arrangements for the baby? Do you have a specific preference as to where your newborn should be sleeping? We’d love to hear from you. For more on how to make your newborn sleep in a crib, watch this video: