Room sharing or own room: when to move baby

This guide is general information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you're concerned about your child's health, or they're unwell, please see a doctor.

One of the first sleep questions new parents face is where baby should sleep, and for how long they should stay in your room. In Australia, this isn't just a preference question: it's part of safe sleep guidance. Here's what's recommended and how to think about the move to their own room.

What's recommended

Red Nose recommends baby sleeps in their own safe sleep space (a cot or bassinet), in the same room as a parent or caregiver, for at least the first six months. Room sharing, not bed sharing, has been shown to meaningfully reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected death in infancy. Even when room sharing, every baby needs their own separate sleep surface: sharing your room does not mean sharing your bed.

Room sharing also makes the practical side easier: you're more in tune with your baby's patterns and can check on them, settle, and feed more quickly overnight.

When can baby move to their own room?

After six months, moving baby to their own room is a family decision rather than a safety rule, and some families carry on room sharing for longer. If your baby sleeps in a bassinet, note that Red Nose advises bassinets are not used once baby can roll or pull up on the sides, or is over three months of age, so a cot may be the trigger to rethink the setup.

If you can't share a room, Red Nose advises placing baby in a safe cot in a room close to yours.

There's no need to rush the move after six months: if room sharing is working, keep going. Equally, some parents and babies both sleep better once separated, because you're no longer each reacting to every small snuffle and stir. If that's you, moving after the six-month mark is a perfectly reasonable choice, provided the new room keeps all the same safe sleep basics.

Making the transition smoother

• There's no single right time after six months, so watch for a natural window rather than forcing it during a regression, illness, or other big change.
• Keep the safe sleep basics identical in the new room: back to sleep, clear cot, safe sleeping bag.
• Introduce the new room for a few naps first so it feels familiar before the first night.
• Keep your bedtime routine exactly the same, so the room changes but the wind-down doesn't.

Sources

• Red Nose Australia, Room sharing
• Red Nose Australia, Why your baby should sleep in your room with you
• Red Nose Australia, Six safe sleep recommendations

Last updated: July 2026. Sources include Red Nose Australia and Raising Children Network where cited above. This guide is general information only. For individual concerns, see your GP or child health nurse.