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Home › Articles › Sleep Issues › Little Roommates

Little Roommates

What Happens When Young Children Share a Bedroom?

By Mark Stackpole

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Despite Alec's good sleeping skills and his ability to get back to sleep if awakened, Dr. Blumberg finds that a noise machine in the bedroom is a most valuable piece of equipment. "My kids are the only children who will think that there is an ocean in Manhattan," she says.

Bonding Time
Dr. Blumberg says Alec enjoys having his baby brother in the room with him about 90 percent of the time. The time they spend together has definitely provided some social benefits. "Alec has learned to be considerate of his brother in ways that are far more mature than I would have expected," she says. "For example, we tell stories in the bath before bedtime so that going to bed is very quiet."

"Siblings often enjoy the companionship of having their brother or sister sleeping nearby," says Dr. Virginia Shiller, a licensed clinical psychologist at Yale University and the author of Rewards for Kids! Ready-to-Use Charts and Activities for Positive Parenting (Magination Press, 2003). "Sometimes, parents may even move two children into the same bedroom for that very reason – in particular to reduce night anxieties. The experience of sharing a room can bring two children closer. It may also stop young ones from wanting to climb into their parents' bed at night."

Whilethere are obvious benefits, Dr. Shiller points out that there may be some safety issues to consider. Though unlikely, an infant could be put at risk if the older sibling throws a blanket or toy into the crib. If the big brother or sister is old enough to understand, firm warnings can be issued about this type of behavior. Dr. Shiller also recommends parents consider a crib tent that is specifically designed to keep foreign objects out of cribs.


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