Sharing a room with a sibling can be one of the sweetest parts of childhood – full of whispers, giggles, and built-in comfort. But, when it comes to sleep, room sharing siblings can face some unique challenges.
From different bedtimes to middle-of-the-night wakeups, noises, and movements, it’s easy for one child’s sleep to disrupt the other’s – especially if you’re still helping a baby get comfortable with falling asleep or starting sleep training.
The good news? With the right strategies, siblings sharing a room can all get the rest they need. By setting up a sleep-friendly environment and knowing some of our sleep consultants’ tips and tracks, you’ll help your room sharing siblings settle easier – and feel more confident that their sleep will stay on track.
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Pros and Cons of Siblings Sharing a Room
If you’re planning for your children to share a room, here are some things to keep in mind. Every family is different, and these are just general pros and cons.
Pros of siblings sharing a room
- Room sharing siblings often develop a close bond.
- Builds developmental and social skills, like sharing and understanding boundaries.
- Encourages early problem-solving – there’s always a book or toy the other wants first!
Cons of siblings sharing a room
- Distractions during bedtime, especially in the first few weeks after moving in together.
- Frequent wakeups if one child is a light sleeper or the baby still needs night feeds.
- Bedtime struggles and fighting sleep, especially when one child’s routine starts earlier, overlaps, or runs later.
- Early wakeups – one child often stirs the other.
- Difficulty sleep training a baby without disrupting another child.
How to Set Up a Bedroom for Room Sharing Siblings
When siblings share a room, the setup can make all the difference. A sleep-friendly environment should be dark, quiet, safe, and an ideal temperature – but with more than one child in the room a few extra steps further minimize disruptions.
Strategically place baby’s crib
If your baby is sharing a room with an older sibling, position your baby’s crib away from the door and, if possible, away from the older sibling’s bed.
This not only reduces the chances of noise and light from the hallway waking the baby if your older child goes to sleep later but also gives your big kid their own defined sleep area.
Create separate sleep zones
Whether you have an older kid or a toddler, making their room feel calm and special can encourage the best sleep possible. If your child loves their room, they are more likely to relax at bedtime and fall asleep easier.
Some ways to do this for room sharing siblings is to let your older children choose the color of their blankets or what books to keep near their bed. For your baby who can’t yet sleep with anything but a sleep sack, you can save this tip for when they are older.
If space allows, you can also explore simple room dividers or even a bookshelf to provide a visual boundary between your children. This can be especially helpful if your kids are easily distracted by each other.
For twin sleep, many experts say that twins prefer to sleep closer to each other – however, keep in mind bed sharing or co-sleeping is never recommended.
Keep abreast of safety
Health authorities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that babies room share with their parents until they are at least 6-months-old. Some families decide to move their baby to their own room earlier, sometimes during the transition from a bassinet to crib.
You may just need to be thoughtful about the room environment and schedules and routines for each child. For many, room sharing not only helps with bonding – siblings who share a room often provide comfort for each other.
Consider staggering bedtimes
One of the most common questions is, “How can I set up a shared room for a baby and an older sibling without one waking the other?” A simple strategy is to stagger bedtimes.
Put the baby down first, then bring the older sibling in once the baby is settled. This way, the baby isn’t overstimulated by extra activity, and the older child still gets their own bedtime routine.
If you have multiple young children, take this free sleep assessment to get a personalized sleep schedule for each that can help figure out bedtimes. The Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers app can figure out the exact bedtime based on your child’s age and circadian rhythm. For room sharing siblings, this is key to help with falling asleep faster – and making bedtime easier for parents, too.
Reduce noise and light disruptions
White noise machines and blackout curtains can help block out light and sound, creating a calm environment for both children.
Also, if your children don’t go to sleep at the same time, you can perform the bedtime routine for your child who goes to sleep last outside their bedroom. For example, you can brush teeth then read a story on the couch before going up to bed.
It’s also helpful to make sure everything is in place in the bedroom before putting an awake child to sleep. For example, putting all comfort items in their sleep space before bringing them in can minimize any talking or rustling that can accidentally wake the other.
When Should Siblings Share a Room?
Can siblings share a room? Yes, but when matters. Experts recommend babies share a room with their parents until at least 6-months of age before moving into a room with a sibling.
Ideally, children should also be strong, independent sleepers before starting to share. This minimizes disruptions from night wakings, early mornings, and difficulty falling asleep.
Independent sleep skills needed for sibling room sharing include:
- Children can fall asleep without relying on each other for comfort (or a caregiver).
- If one wakes first, they won’t intentionally disturb the other.
- Each child can resettle independently between sleep cycles, without calling out for their sibling or for you.
Babies are biologically able for independent sleep around 3 or 4 months, which is also when their sleep schedule becomes more consistent and predictable. Before then, their circadian rhythms are undeveloped, meaning they sleep around-the-clock, wake often crying for foods, require lots of overnight diaper changes, and rely on external support such as contact naps and feedings to fall asleep.
Want advice for how to get your baby to sleep in their crib? Download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers app to get a custom plan to solve your baby’s sleep struggles – and get them ready to share a room with their sibling.
How to Sleep Train When Siblings Share a Room?
Sometimes siblings need to share before both are independent sleepers. Also, during sleep regressions or after a vacation or illness, even strong sleepers may need extra support. This is where sleep training comes in.
While gentle sleep training methods can limit crying, they can still be disruptive – going in and out of the room, shushing, or picking up and putting down can easily wake the sleeping sibling.
Tips for sleep training in a shared room
Once you choose a sleep training method that’s best for you and your children, consider the following to increase success when your kids share a room.
- Use White Noise: A sound machine can soften any nighttime noises from crying or parent check-ins, helping the sibling sleep through the process.
- Adjust Routines: Aim to put the baby down first, then bring the sibling into the room once the baby is settled. This reduces stimulation and helps maintain each child’s routine.
- Stay Consistent: Whatever method you choose – gentle method, chair method – consistency is key. Babies learn best when the approach doesn’t change from night to night.
- Consider a Temporary Move: If possible, set up the older sibling in another room or with a parent for a few nights while you begin sleep training. This prevents unnecessary disruptions and lets you stay consistent with both children. Even having a backup plan, just in case one child struggles to sleep, can help minimize disruptions if you must make a middle-of-the-night change.
- Remain Patient and Calm: Remember, sleep training in a shared room may take a little more patience at first. But with a calm environment, clear routines, and the right support, both children can adjust – and soon everyone can enjoy better rest.
Sleep training isn’t just for babies – you also can sleep train a toddler! Sometimes after the 18-month sleep regression or 2-year sleep regression, your toddler’s sleep may need a little extra help to get back on track. The same tips apply.
How to Manage Sleep Disruptions When Siblings Share a Room
Room sharing can be sweet and comforting, but it also comes with a big challenge: one sibling’s sleep disruptions can easily affect the other. Whether it’s late-night feedings, early morning chatter, or the baby’s crying in the middle of the night, managing these moments takes planning and patience.
- Prepare in Advance for Wakeups: Keep a nightlight and feeding or overnight diaper supplies ready to soothe the baby quickly without bright lights or noise.
- Use Soothing Sounds: White noise can help mask unexpected noises and soft https://www.smartsleepcoach.com/blog/sleep-tips/best-lullabies-to-help-babies-to-sleepcan soothe the awake sibling without unnecessarily waking the sleeping one.
- Set Expectations with the older sibling: Encourage quiet voices and tiptoeing – celebrate their role as helping baby get to sleep.
- Prepare for the Unexpected: Nightmares, illness, and sleep regressions happen. Remember that sleep disruptions are often temporary.
Final Thoughts
Sharing a room with a sibling is a common – and wonderful – way to grow up. While siblings sharing room arrangements may involve some wakeups, the right setup, routines, and tools can make a big difference.
With time, both children will adjust – and you’ll feel more confident knowing their sleep can thrive in a shared space.
