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Sibling Room-sharing. Our Top 10 Tips
- Holly White
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Let's make shared bedrooms work for everyone!
Many families choose to have siblings share a room for practical, financial, and emotional reasons. Whether you’re working with limited space, keeping living costs down, fostering a close bond between siblings, or simply preferring the convenience of bedtime routines in one spot, room-sharing can be a smart solution. Sharing a room helps siblings learn empathy and cooperation as they navigate bedtime together, and for parents, it means fewer late-night trips between rooms when the little ones need support.
When set up thoughtfully, room-sharing not only streamlines your nightly routine but also creates a warm, secure environment where children feel connected and comforted. Ready to make it work for your family? Here are my top 10 tips for a smooth transition and a positive experience for everyone
Worried about one sibling waking the other? We cover this at the end!
Our Top 10 Tips for Siblings Sharing a Room
#1 - Discuss the Move Before It Happens
Swaddling allows your little one to feel safe, secure, and comfortable. Swaddling also assists with the startle reflex and can help your little one sleep for longer. It's the perfect first step in calming a fussy newborn.
#2 - Create Separate Sleep Spaces
Don’t push beds or cots side-by-side. Give each child their own space. Giving each child a designated area with thier own bedding, lighting, and comfort items helps them settle independently, reduces disturbances, and respects their individual needs.
#3 - Ensure the Room Is Safe
Check that each sleep area meets safe-sleep guidelines!
#4 - Consider the Environment
White-noise: Place white noise between them.
Blackout: Full-coverage blinds for consistent darkness.
Night-lights: If only one child needs it, choose a dim glow that won’t disturb the other.
#5 - Introduce an “Okay to Wake” Clock
An “okay-to-wake” clock is a simple visual cue that teaches older toddlers (around 2 years+) when it’s truly morning, and when it’s still time to stay in bed. Instead of relying on clocks they can’t yet read, these clocks use colours or images (for example, a moon icon for “sleep time” and a sun icon for “wake time”) to set clear boundaries around the night and morning.
When one child stirs, they’re less likely to call out or leave their bed if they know it’s still “sleep time.”. They also build confidence and reduce anxiety around sleep.
Try to introduce one before the move to room-sharing.
#6 - Avoid Other Big Transitions
Don’t move a child into a big bed or start potty-training at the same time. Give them space and time to adjust to sharing before layering on another change.
#7 - Combine Bedtime Wind-Downs
Streamlining bedtime by sharing wind-down activities can save time and foster sibling bonding. You might start with a bath, PJs, and a story for both. If one sibling goes to bed later, you could offer them a quiet activity while you pop the other one to bed.
#8 - Stagger Bedtimes
Put the youngest or most tired child down first. If you have a baby and an older sibling, this becomes prime one-on-one time for the big kid.
#9 - Build Independent Sleep Skills First
Working on independent sleep skills before sharing a room can make all the difference. It isn’t a dealbreaker but when they already know how to fall asleep on their own, room-sharing becomes much smoother.
#10 - Set Clear Rules & Celebrate Wins
Establish simple, consistent rules like “no talking after after lights-out” or “stay in your own bed” and stick to them so the kids know exactly what’s expected. When they follow the rules, celebrate with praise (“Great job staying in bed!”) or a small reward like choosing tomorrow’s bedtime story or a sticker. Recognising their successes, even small ones, reinforces positive habits and makes everyone more eager to stick with the shared-room routine.
“Children sharing a room create memories that outlast the walls around them.” —Unknown
The most frequently asked question - “But what if one sibling wakes the other”
When siblings share a room, especially when a baby and toddler are together, it’s tempting to do whatever you can to avoid one sibling waking the other. This is especially true when one siblings sleep regresses for some reason. It is so easy respond straight away and lay with or rock/feed the child to settle them straight away. However, this can then lead to further distrupted nights. Tackling night wakes head-on leads to smoother sleep in the long run!
Dedicate a few nights to focusing on resettling your little one and not stressing too much if you wake the other. Make a plan before bed and come prepared when it comes to resettling. Consistency is key! Yes, it may feel a bit chaotic at first, but sticking with your plan helps each child learn to fall back asleep in their own bed.
Do remember that children sleep very heavily at night and it is actually harder to wake them up than you would think.
With an older toddler, set expectations before lights-out: “If Baby Sister cries, I’ll come check on her. You’re safe, just settle back to sleep.” By pairing clear instructions with a dependable response, your toddlers will adapt, and everyone will sleep more peacefully in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Room-sharing can be a game-changer for families, blending practicality with opportunities for siblings to bond and learn from each other. By planning ahead, creating clear sleep zones, and equipping your children with the skills and routines to settle themselves, you can transform nighttime chaos into calm consistency. Remember, if one child wakes, it’s okay to address that wake fully rather than tiptoeing around the other—this upfront approach pays off in better sleep for everyone.
If you’re finding any of these steps overwhelming or need tailored strategies for your unique family dynamic, I’m here to help. Book a free 10-minute chat to talk through your challenges, and let’s explore how personalised sleep support can help make room-sharing enjoyable for everyone.
Sweet dreams,
Holly x
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