Common Sleep Terms Explained

Room Sharing

Baby is in the room with parents, but not sharing a sleep surface.

Bed Sharing

Baby and parents are sleeping on the same sleep surface

Co-Sleeping

Baby is either on the same sleep surface as the parents or baby is sleeping in the same room as the parents on a separate sleep surface.

Bed sharing and co-sleeping are often used interchangeably.  A parent who is room sharing may identify as co-sleeping and be judged for bed sharing when they are in fact abiding by AAP guidelines, which state an infant should room share with parents for the first 6-12 months of life.