The baby sleeps in your room but not in your bed.

Sometimes this sleeping arrangement is a matter of necessity. Our son Robert was living in a one-bedroom apartment when his second child was born  -- they had four people sleeping in one room! Robert and his family actually enjoyed the closeness, as do many others  -- no matter how many rooms they have in their home. Sleeping in the same room as your baby (but not in the same bed) is also considered to be the safest sleeping arrangement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, according to one of their recent policy statements. (I personally believe, however, that sleeping in the same bed can be perfectly safe if you follow the precautions outlined at the end of this article.)

Some parents wheel the crib into the bedroom, and others attach co-sleepers to their beds. Either way, sleeping in the same room has advantages and disadvantages.

Pros
You don't have far to go. When your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, you don't have to stumble down a darkened hallway or bump into doors. You can simply hop out of bed and pick up your baby before she gets upset (and makes it harder for both of you to get back to sleep). If you use a co-sleeper, it's even easier. Attached to your bed, a co-sleeper allows both you and your baby to have your own space, while still being extremely close. If the idea of sleeping with your baby right next to you on the mattress makes you a little nervous or you're a restless sleeper and don't want to wake up your tot with every toss and turn, the co-sleeper is a great option.

Your baby doesn't have to wait long for relief. Besides being convenient to you, sleeping in the same room as your child means she doesn't have to wail her lungs out before someone comes to feed or soothe her. And that's a good thing. Babies who are responded to quickly and not left to cry it out learn to trust their instincts and their surroundings, building their confidence.

Cons
Again, if you're a light sleeper, this arrangement may not work. Babies whiffle and coo at night; if that keeps you up, you might be too tired to respond when your baby actually needs you. Keeping a little space between the two of you could be a better solution. Conversely, the noises you make could disrupt your baby's sleep. Finally, if your own bedroom is simply too small to fit even a co-sleeper next to your bed, let alone a bulky crib, don't feel guilty. Get a baby monitor or simply leave your door open so you can hear your child in another room.

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