How to Stop Co-Sleeping With a 1-Month-Old

Most parents around the world sleep with their babies, according to Ask. Dr. Sears, but co-sleeping is controversial in the United States, as many believe it puts the baby at risk 1. Still, there are several benefits to sleeping near your baby, including a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents sleep in the same room as their infant -- just not in the same bed. Take these steps to transition your 1-month-old infant out of your bed and into a safer sleeping arrangement that will help you all get a better night's sleep.

Place your baby to sleep on his back or side in his own dedicated sleeping space. This could be a crib, a cradle or a co-sleeper that is made to attach to the side of your bed. Keep the new sleeping space in your room at first.

Turn on a soft light, such as a night light. Babies are this age are going to awaken about every three hours to feed, according to WebMD, so you will need to be able to see to get to him instead of just picking him up from the space next to you in bed.

Soothe your baby without taking him back to your bed when he wakes up. This will help you avoid letting him fall back to sleep in your bed. If it isn't time for a feeding, try rubbing his back and talking to him softly without taking him out of his bed. If he needs to feed, don't feed him in your bed -- place a comfortable chair near his cradle or crib instead. Then, make sure you put him back into his bed when he is done feeding.

Move the baby -- in his new bed -- to his own room, if you desire. This might be necessary if your significant other is upset about constantly being awakened by the night feedings. Babies at this age are not very aware of their surroundings, so you can do this all at once, or slowly over time. Babies start getting more independent and demanding around age 9 months, however, so many parents choose to do it before that time, according to Parents.com.