quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

community & groups

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

Expert Q&A

	By Susan Bartell Licensed Psychologist

Occasionally I let my toddler sleep in the crib with my infant son. Is this OK?

It is not unusual for parents to allow their older children to sleep in the crib with an infant sibling. Parents believe it will give the children a chance to bond. Others feel that it helps an older child experience less jealousy of the new baby.

Despite these good intentions, allowing an older child to sleep in the crib, even occasionally, is not a good idea. To start with, it can be dangerous for the infant. The older child could accidentally hurt the baby while moving around during sleep. There is even the possibility that the older child could roll onto the baby and suffocate him or inadvertently step on him in the dark if he stands up.

Sleeping in a crib can also pose a danger to the toddler. Many young children break their arms when they fall trying to climb out of a crib. This is why the rule of thumb is that as soon as a child tries to climb out of the crib (or succeeds in doing so) he or she should be transitioned to a bed or toddler bed.

While it is important to encourage a close relationship between siblings, this is better done during daylight hours when there is no threat of either child being hurt. Encouraging your toddler to play with, feed or otherwise help with the infant can fill that need. If your older child shows signs of jealousy toward the baby by wanting to sleep in the crib or in other ways, this too should be handled directly, rather than simply giving in to letting him or her sleep with the baby. Giving your toddler special attention at bedtime (an extra story or cuddling, without the baby present) can reduce the need to engage in the "baby" ways to get attention like wanting to sleep in the crib with the baby.

View more Q&A by this Expert