Should my newborn sleep in my room?
Share a room for at least the first six months, with your baby on a separate sleep surface nearby. This summarizes U.S. guidance.
The short answer
In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping your baby in your room on a separate infant sleep surface for at least the first six months. Ask your pediatrician about any plan.
Room sharing means a separate sleep surface
The current AAP parent guide recommends keeping a baby’s crib, bassinet or play yard in the same room as the parent, close to the bed but not in it, for at least the first six months. The AAP policy statement says room sharing without bed sharing is protective during the first year and doesn’t identify a specific age when moving a baby to a separate room before then is known to be safe.
The AAP says room sharing can make feeding and comforting easier. For every sleep, place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface designed for infant sleep.
If you might fall asleep while feeding
If you bring your baby into bed to feed or comfort them, return them to their own sleep space before you go to sleep. If there is any chance you might fall asleep while your baby is in bed, the AAP advises removing pillows, blankets, sheets and other items that could cover the baby’s face, head or neck or cause overheating. If you do fall asleep, move your baby back to their own sleep space as soon as you wake. This doesn’t make bed sharing safe or replace the recommendation to use a separate sleep surface.
The AAP also advises against falling asleep with a baby on a sofa, soft armchair or cushion. Talk with your pediatrician if you have questions about your baby’s sleep environment or a care plan.
Check the guidance where you live
This article summarizes American Academy of Pediatrics guidance for the United States. The AAP parent guide says its recommendations apply to babies up to one year unless it states otherwise. National advice and product standards differ, so check with your local health service and use an infant sleep product that meets local safety rules.
BabyDays can record a caregiver handoff, but it can’t monitor a baby’s breathing or determine whether a sleep space is safe. A log doesn’t replace supervision or safe sleep practices.
Sources and further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidance for parents
- American Academy of Pediatrics 2022 safe sleep policy statement
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.