- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Alternative Sleeping Arrangements
Where Should Your Toddler Sleep?
By Shel Franco
When Cionca's youngest child is old enough to move out of his crib, she plans to move him into the same bedroom with his big brother, Myles. She uses her own experience as basis for this decision. "I shared a room with my sister and found it very comforting to have her in the room when I was going to sleep and if I had a nightmare," she says. "If Carter or Myles decide to crawl into each other's bed in the middle of the night, due to a nightmare or other sleep disturbance, I will have absolutely no problem with it. I did the same thing as a child, and I truly believe it helped establish a bond between my sister and me."
The Burtons of Edmond, Okla., had a similar experience. "We skipped the toddler bed all together and went straight to a twin bed," says mom Sarah Burton. "We bought both of our kids twin beds, and when they were first ready to transition, we let them pick out their sheets and just put the twin mattresses directly on their bedroom floor. They loved it, and since it was so low, I never had to worry about them getting hurt rolling out of bed onto the carpet. After awhile when we knew they weren't falling out of bed at night, we put up their real beds."
Just because one scenario works for one family doesn't mean it will work for yours. To find what works, you'll have to do a bit of research first. Dr. Contey says that parents should start by asking three questions:
1. What do I need?
2. What does the child need?
3. What does the family need?
"All of these need to be considered when trying to create balanced, restful family life," Dr. Contey says.
For example, by asking, "What does my child need to sleep?" you may answer security, absolute quiet, darkness, some light, safety, another warm body and the list goes on. Your answer to that question will rule out certain sleeping arrangements – you can't expect your child to share a bed with an older sibling who talks in his sleep or rolls around if your toddler needs absolute silence to fall asleep and stay asleep.
