Now we are going to talk about Room-sharing.
Many parents or caregivers will share a room with their baby already.
Room-sharing means keeping the baby close to an adult bed but on a separate surface that is designed for infants. Pediatricians prefer this separate, but adjacent, sleep arrangement because parents or caregivers can closely monitor their infant's needs, while allowing the baby to sleep safely.
Many parents or caregivers will share a room with their baby already.
Ideally, room-sharing should be done for a year, but it needs to be done for at least the first six months. Room-sharing does not mean the baby sleeping in the same bed with the parents or guardians.
According to TAC Title 26 Part 1 Rule §749.3027
(a) A child may share a bedroom with an adult caregiver if:
- It is in the best interest of the child
- The child is under three years old and sleeps in the bedroom of the caregiver; and
- Approval is documented and dated in the child's service plan by the service planning team.
There are exceptions and other rules you should be aware of in this section of the Texas Administrative Code or TAC.
When room sharing with an infant, the caregiver can use a crib, bassinet, playpen or any other sleeping option that is safety approved. For information on crib safety, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or the CPSC at 1-800-638-2772 or visit https://www.cpsc.gov.
