Siblings Sharing Room

I don't know if you have an "extra" room, but I didnt move my boys into the same room until the second one was ready to transition to a bed. They have been fine in the same room since we did it, they didnt seem to need any special adjustment time, and also if one cries or wakes up in the night the other generally sleeps right through it. I just found it easier to have the bay seperate for late night feedings etc. Anyway good luck, and this is from the mom of 3 energetic boys....

I have a 3 year old son and a 3 month old son and they share a room. When we first moved the baby into his room my older son would wake up when the baby cried. He would go back to sleep quickly and wasn't bothered too much. The baby has been sleeping in his room for 6 weeks now and my son no longer wakes up when the baby does. My son did climb in the crib with the baby one day but I heard him on the moniter and ran in and got him out. We just talked about how it's the babies bed and he could hurt the baby if he climbed in the crib when the baby was in there. He hasn't done it again, and he's not the most obediant kid! About the toys-we don't have any toys in the bedroom so we don't have to worry about them getting thrown in the crib. Congratulations on your new little one! Having two boys is a lot of fun!

It sounds like you have an agenda that you don't want to stray from. Maybe with the second, you'll have to have him in your room a little longer for the sake of the older child. Remember, now you have two to consider rather than just one. I think parents need to be flexible, about sleeping arrangements, about eating schedules, etc. No two children have the same needs.

D.,

I have 2 wonderful boys..you'll love it!! They now and have shared a room for about 1 yr. now. My little one is 2 1/2 and my older son is 6 1/2. When we brought our little one home he had his own room until he was 1 and then his brother wanted him in his room. I didn't put them in the same room at first as the older one would have definitely slept with the little one .. the safety issues concerned me also. However, by 9 months the little one was climbing out of his crib and so we put him in a toddler bed, then he started jumping off the bed..so it was safe enough to put them in the same room and they love it. Also, my older boy needs his sleep and so the thought of him not getting that at night made for a longer day than I already had getting up with the little one. Good luck and have fun...they're very energetic.

I have 3 kids sharing a room, and so far none of them wake up when the baby cries. I think this is natural for anyone not responsible for taking care of the baby in the night (including husbands who can't nurse a baby back to sleep!) As far as the safety issue, we have had to be vigilant with our 4 yr old as she adores her sister and loves to climb in. We have just learned that they can't really be alone together when they are awake. She's never tried to climb in at night. I'm sure all this will work out well for your boys and will go more smoothly than you might expect. Good luck!

My 2 are about 2.5 years apart and have to share a room. When the youngest (girl) had to be fed I just took her to the living room where my glider was and fed her there. The oldest (boy) did not wake up - he may have moved around a bit but was not disturbed. As to "safety issues", I never even heard some of those issues come up. :) But I assume you check on your boy before you go to bed - you would do the same with them both. You will see if anything has been introduced into the crib. He's old enough to understand that this will be the baby's special place, just like his bed is his. As far as climbing in - hum, my son probably tried (I'm fuzzy now as they are 5 and 8) but I can't remember having any real concerns. Actually, the the youngest (girl) was the one who never wanted to go to sleep when she should! She banged on the Ocean Wonders thingee alot but her brother was sound asleep.

May I offer this? Just wait and see what happens. :) Siblings can be so different from one another AND different when they become a big brother/sister. Congratulations, BTW, on having your second!

Hi there!

I would play it safe and keep your boys in separate rooms to sleep until your baby is 3 or so. You will find that even with the most careful chilren, they can do things not knowing the dangers, and potentially cause life threatening results. You'll have to decide if it's worth the risk, but I never left any of my 3 children alone together at any time while they were babies. In fact, even now they are 9, 6, and 4 and I still don't leave them unsupervised!

Congratulations on your new baby on the way! What a blessing!

I think it depends on your 4 year old. I would ask him how he feels about it first (either before or after the baby is born - or before AND after). My husband had to share a room with his baby brother and to this day he holds a weird grudge about it. He remembers waking up every time his baby brother did and getting mad at him. I think my husband is an odd ball, though, so chances are you won't have the same situation. :)

Hi, what about putting one of those crib nets over the crib to prevent your 4 year old from climbing in or putting things in the crib without your knowledge... Hope that helps! Good luck!

A.

siblings sharing a room is a great idea! it fosters close bonding between them. you know your 4-yr old son the most. if you think he can obey your instructions not to disturb, or climb into your baby's crib, i would say go ahead and let them share the room. but if you have doubts, maybe you should wait til your baby is a bit older and stronger.

I am the mother of 4 boys. Ages 6, 5, 4, 2. First, a small warning. Not every child is the same and your second could be sleeping through the night by three months or not yet ready to leave your bedroom. I had one of each. That said, I wouldn't worry about putting your baby in the same room as your first son. I used to have seperate rooms for my 2 eldest and 2 youngest. The older boys were always fighting with the younger two, really picked on the baby. Then we moved, what a blessing! Now they all have to share one room. AND THEY ALL GET ALONG, most of the time. lol By explaining to them that it was dangerous to give the baby extra toys when he was sleeping, and that they were too big for the crib to hold thier weight, etc. they were able to relax and let little Joshie become one of thier friends instead of a stranger or doll. They also became extremely helpful in getting diapers and bottles from the frige. We plan on moving agian this summer back to a 3 bedroom house. Right now, I think I'll do one a play room and one a bedroom.

I have four children and my last two were boys. My son was 4 when my youngest was born. He loved being the big brother and everything that came with that. Because we lived in an apt, the baby was with me, but by the time he was 3 months, we moved into a house, and the boys shared a room. We always dealt with big bro as it being fun - he was and is a light sleeper, so we were worried it would interrupt sleep for him - with intermittent feedings - but it never did. He was always able to sleep through. As our baby got older, our older son was helpful with things such as letting us know that the baby was still asleep but was stinky or that he was awake and playing. Sometimes, they even played together. Our older son never tried getting in the baby's crib - they always did it through the rungs. It was always adorable and we could always hear things between the monitor or being close-by. It is a great bonding time for the boys in my eyes. Good Luck and God Bless!

Hi D.-

I have 2 and 5 year old girls. When my 2 year old was born I too wanted them to share a room to save room to our house. But I had the same worries you did. I did not put them together and can't imagine it any other way! They both needed their own pace! Just 2 weeks ago my 2.3 year old starting sleeping in a toddler bed in my 5 year olds room. So now one room is a bedroom and the other room is a toy room. They LOVE it now and so do I. Just give it time and they will be together before you know it.

My 3 boys all share a room. We purchased a crib tent to go over the crib; nothing could fall in or out. Also the baby waking the boys was never a problem. My boys slept right through baby brother's feedings.

maybe try putting the crib in his room right away with out the baby in it. talk to him about what he is and isnt aloud to do with the crib. i have a friend with twin boys and they shared a room with her 3yr little girl and never woke her up. i wouldnt be worried about that your son should be ok