How to Manage Sibling Bedrooms for Better Sleep: Tips from a Sleep Consultant
One of the most common challenges I hear from parents is how to manage sleep when young siblings are sharing a bedroom. It can feel chaotic—different sleep personalities, varying bedtime needs, and of course, late-night giggles. But with thoughtful planning and a few helpful strategies, room-sharing can actually strengthen sibling bonds and support healthy sleep for everyone involved.
Here are some tried-and-true tips to create a peaceful shared sleep environment:
1. Set Clear Bedtime Routines
Consistency is the cornerstone of good sleep, and this becomes even more important in a shared bedroom. Establish a calming, predictable bedtime routine that signals it’s time to wind down. This could include:
• A warm bath
• Brushing teeth together
• Reading books (individually or as a pair)
• A short song or gentle cuddle before lights out
Each child may need a slightly different routine depending on their age or temperament, but the structure should be the same every night. A predictable rhythm helps both children feel safe and relaxed, making it easier for them to settle—despite sharing a space.
Tip: You can also use social stories—simple picture-based stories that walk children through what to expect. These can be especially helpful for toddlers or preschoolers who need visual cues to understand the routine and expectations.
2. Create Individual Spaces Within the Room
Even if the room is small, it’s important that each child has a defined space that feels like “theirs.” This helps reduce bedtime distractions and gives each child a sense of independence and control. Consider:
• Different bedding or a comfort item unique to each child
• A small shelf or basket for their favorite books or stuffed animals
You’re not aiming for total separation—just enough of a physical and psychological boundary to help each child feel grounded and calm.
3. Establish Quiet Time Before Sleep
After lights out, it’s not uncommon for siblings to want to chat or play. While this can be sweet in small doses, it often delays sleep and leads to overtiredness (which causes more sleep issues later).
Introduce a “quiet time” concept—where the room becomes a calm, restful space. Talk with your children during the day about what quiet time looks like:
• Whispering only
• No playing or talking after lights out
• Lying still and using their imagination to fall asleep
Tip: Reinforce this with a social story that shows them what quiet time looks like and why it’s important for their growing brains and bodies.
4. Stagger Bedtimes When Needed
If one child is younger or more sensitive to distractions, it can help to stagger bedtimes. Put the younger child to bed first while the older sibling stays up a little later with a quiet activity in another room. Once the first child is asleep, gently guide the second one to bed.
This can reduce disruptions and prevent bedtime battles, especially if one child tends to rile up the other!
5. Use White Noise to Minimise Disruptions
White noise is an incredibly helpful tool when siblings share a room. It creates a consistent, soothing background sound that can mask:
• Tossing and turning
• Whispered chatter
• Outside noises (cars, barking dogs, etc.)
A white noise machine or even a fan on a low setting can be enough to ensure one child isn’t disturbed by the other’s sounds or movements.
6. Have a Backup Plan for Difficult Nights
Even with the best systems in place, not every night will go smoothly—and that’s okay! It’s important to have a temporary backup plan for those tougher nights. If one child is particularly unsettled or unwell, consider:
• A travel cot or floor mattress in another quiet room
• A “cozy corner” set up elsewhere in the house with a sleep sack and favorite comfort item
• Taking one child to your room temporarily, but always returning them to their own space once they’ve calmed down.
The key is not to view these backups as failures, but as flexible tools to support everyone’s sleep.
Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection
Every family dynamic and home layout is different, so room-sharing will look a bit unique in each household. What’s most important is that you stay consistent, adjust when necessary, and keep communication open with your children.
Celebrate the small wins—like a night without disruptions, or a successful quiet time—and remember that healthy sleep habits take time and repetition to build. With patience and a little creativity (hello, social stories!), your kids can thrive in a shared bedroom.
Need personalised support with sibling sleep dynamics? I offer bespoke sleep packages to help your family find peaceful nights again. Get in touch through my services page or book in for your free 15 min call (07919 511934).