Co-Sleeping: Parenting Tips to Help Get Your Children Out of Your Bed and Into Their Own

How to get your children out of your bed and into theirs.

ByABC News
August 23, 2011, 11:33 PM

Aug. 24, 2011 — -- Parents' joy in their children can sometimes turn to frustration when those children refuse to sleep in their own beds.

There's even a name for the behavior. Experts call it co-sleeping -- when children prefer to sleep in their parents' bed.

Some parents are too embarrassed to admit their children sleep in their beds with them.

While some find nothing wrong with it, the practice has its critics. They say bed sharing can have a negative impact on a child's growth.

"There really are skills that a child needs to be able to learn from sleeping on their own, to self-sooth, to calm themselves, to clear their head," John Carosso, a child psychologist, told "Good Morning America."

In past coverage of the issue of co-sleeping, "GMA" gathered some experts' tips to help get your children out of your beds and into their own:

More Tips From Around the Web

Be tough. According to Parenting.com, after the decision is made, parents need to quit co-sleeping cold turkey. Take midnight visitors back to bed, even if they fight the journey. If there's crying, tough it out.

While some find nothing wrong with it, the practice has its critics. They say bed sharing can have a negative impact on a child's growth.

\"There really are skills that a child needs to be able to learn from sleeping on their own, to self-sooth, to calm themselves, to clear their head,\" John Carosso, a child psychologist, told \"Good Morning America.\"

In past coverage of the issue of co-sleeping, \"GMA\" gathered some experts' tips to help get your children out of your beds and into their own:

Tips to End Co-Sleeping

Have a goldfish or small pet in the room to keep children company.

Have a \"mommy\" or \"daddy\" teddy bear to snuggle with.

Spend time with children before bed. This is a good time to read to them. You can even have a \"sleep party\" with mom and dad in the child's bed before they go to sleep.

At the start, use special gifts from the \"sleep fairy,\" like the tooth fairy. If they sleep in their own bed, they get a little morning present.

More Tips From Around the Web

Be tough. According to Parenting.com, after the decision is made, parents need to quit co-sleeping cold turkey. Take midnight visitors back to bed, even if they fight the journey. 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