Room-sharing vs. bed-sharing
Room-sharing means a baby sleeps in the caregiver’s room in a separate sleep space. Bed-sharing means sharing a sleeping surface with another person. Both are sometimes called co-sleeping, so check the definition used in any survey.
What do studies show?
In a 2010 online survey of 29,287 infants and toddlers across 17 countries and regions, reported parental bed-sharing ranged from 5.8% in the New Zealand sample to 83.2% in the Vietnam sample. These are historical survey findings, not current national estimates; the internet-based sample, age range and survey methods limit comparisons.
A CDC report described U.S. infant sleep practices using surveys from specific years and states. Its authors emphasize the need to consider the survey population and wording. An “ever shared” response is different from a usual or nightly arrangement.
Families’ decisions can reflect culture, housing, feeding needs and exhaustion. No single percentage describes all parents in a country, and a common practice is not itself evidence of safety.
Current U.S. safe-sleep guidance
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing infants on their backs for every sleep in their own crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard with a firm, flat surface and fitted sheet. Keep the sleep area in the caregiver’s room for at least the first six months, without sharing the bed.
Keep pillows, loose blankets, toys, bumper pads and weighted products out of the infant’s sleep area. Adult beds, couches and armchairs pose suffocation and entrapment risks. The CDC’s safe-sleep guidance provides more detail.
Making a separate sleep space work
Place a safety-compliant bassinet or crib close to the caregiver’s bed if space permits. Bring the baby into bed for feeding or comfort while awake, then return the baby to their separate sleep space when the caregiver is ready to sleep. Ask your pediatrician about feeding, fatigue, preterm birth or other individual circumstances.
When shopping, verify that a product meets current sleep-product standards and fits the specific crib or bassinet. Explore Newton Baby products; Yawnder may earn a commission. No mattress or monitor eliminates the need for safe-sleep practices.
Frequently asked questions
Does room-sharing mean bed-sharing?
No. Room-sharing uses a separate infant sleep space in the same room.
Are older country estimates current national rates?
No. Check the year, sample, age range and exact definition before applying a statistic.
Is a shared sleep surface recommended for infants?
The AAP recommends a separate infant sleep surface rather than bed-sharing.