Is a family bed right for us?

Sleeping Together: Tradition or Trend?

In many cultures, it is completely natural for the whole family to sleep together in one large bed. This creates closeness and a sense of security – and is often simply unavoidable due to limited space. Here in Germany, too, the concept of a shared sleeping space is becoming increasingly popular – we have developed a real passion for the topic and produce our own family beds in various sizes with our "Swebe" model.

But which solution is right for you? Various formats, fold-out or pull-out models, and family beds with storage all present you with choices. In this article, we explain exactly what a family bed is, what types are available, and what advantages and disadvantages a "co-sleeping bed" has.

What Is a Family Bed?

At its core, "family bed" is not a fixed term. It simply refers to the bed in which the family sleeps together. Often this is the parents' double bed – which is quickly repurposed as a family bed when the little ones come in during the night. By the time a second child arrives at the latest, a standard double bed starts to feel very cramped.

We therefore also use the term for sleeping solutions that have been specifically designed so that all family members can sleep in them comfortably – without anyone falling out or getting wedged between two mattresses. Ideally, there is one large sleeping surface where both adults and children can stretch out in any direction.

The Different Types of Family Beds

The most important criterion when choosing the right family bed is the available space. Some bedrooms are so narrow that an XXL family bed simply will not fit. Particularly in small apartments, creative ideas are called for – whether to enlarge the bed to create a sleeping space for the whole family, or to find room for clothing and bedding.

For example, there are family beds with storage in the form of under-bed drawers. You can also opt for a family bed as a bunk bed, where the parents sleep below and one (older) child sleeps in a raised section above. If more children come along, a bed extension creates space for the youngest – either as a pull-out family bed or in the form of a sidecar bed.

Family Bed – What Size?

The question of what type of family bed to choose goes hand in hand with the question of size. This comes down to two factors: the available space and the size of the family. For sleeping, you should allow roughly 70 to 90 cm of width per person. This guideline applies to toddlers as well, since young children move around more during sleep and the extra space also helps prevent heat build-up.

Standard family bed sizes range from 240x200 cm to 300x200 cm, with several increments in between – for example, a family bed measuring 240x200 cm offers comfortable space for three. A family bed in 270x200 cm provides even more room to move. By school age, most children prefer to sleep in their own bed anyway, which frees up space for the youngest family members again. And if no more children are on the way, the Swebe family bed can be converted back into a standard double bed using our extension set.

If you want to maintain the co-sleeping concept with older children, or if you have several toddlers at the same time, you should consider a really large sleeping surface. For this, a family bed of 300x200 cm or more is the right choice. A bunk-bed configuration as an extended XXL family bed is a good compromise that also gives older children more privacy.

Family Beds: The Pros and Cons

A family bed brings many advantages: parents do not have to get up in the night if the little ones cry. The children, in turn, can snuggle close to their parents when vivid dreams or loud noises wake them.

Night-time breastfeeding is also more comfortable in a family bed: the mother can simply latch the baby and doze off again. The closeness also benefits all family members and strengthens their bond. According to studies, babies wake less frequently and fall back to sleep more quickly when sleeping alongside their parents.

Potential Disadvantages

What holds many young parents back from choosing a family bed is the fear of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, no scientific studies have so far been able to prove a genuine link between co-sleeping and the occurrence of SIDS.

Aside from concerns about SIDS, there are other arguments that may speak against a co-sleeping bed. One parent may find their sleep disturbed – particularly children between the ages of two and three tend to move around a lot during the night, which can lead to tiredness and tension. Finding the right mattress can also be tricky: one partner often prefers a softer surface than the other, while a firmer base is safest for very young children. And there is the matter of bedding: sheets for a family bed always need to be oversized.

Finally, buying a family bed is also a question of space and budget. On the space front, there are various options: from family beds with a fixed sleeping surface to pull-out models and bunk beds with or without storage. Particularly affordable are family beds where the frame consists of nothing more than a slatted base on legs. For a stylish, understated solution that delivers truly restful sleep, our "Swebe" family bed in durable solid wood is a perfect choice.

Co-Sleeping Is a Matter of Weighing Things Up

Beyond these pros and cons, there may be individual reasons that speak for or against sleeping together. It is best to draw up your own list and discuss with your children and partner whether a family bed is the right choice for your family.

Family Bed? But Safely: What to Consider When Co-Sleeping

As enthusiastic as we are about co-sleeping for families, we are of course well aware that certain precautions need to be taken for safety reasons. For example, a bed guard rail is essential for the sleeping surface if one or both sides of the family bed are not directly against a wall.

This means you can leave the room in the evening with peace of mind once the little ones are asleep and you still have things to take care of. And you will sleep more soundly knowing that, however restlessly your child moves during the night, they cannot fall out of bed. A guard rail is absolutely essential once there are two young children, because to make the co-sleeping bed safe for everyone, there should always be an adult between two children – which inevitably means one child sleeps on the outside edge.

Baby Safety in the Family Bed

To keep babies safe in the family bed, it is important to avoid duvets and pillows as much as possible. The baby itself sleeps best in a sleeping bag, without any additional blanket or similar. It is also essential that the child cannot slip into a gap between mattresses, and that the sleeping surface is as firm and breathable as possible – a water bed is not suitable as a family bed. A simple wooden frame or a plain solid wood family bed is a much better choice, and also contributes to a healthy room climate.

Further important safety points:

• If a parent has consumed excessive amounts of alcohol or medication, parents and children should not share the family bed (more information here).
• Smokers should not sleep with their children in the co-sleeping bed, as children can absorb harmful substances through the air.
• Babies should sleep on their back and should not be wrapped up too warmly.
• The ideal sleeping temperature for babies is 16 to 18 °C.

The last point in particular underlines why the more space the family bed offers, the better.

Conclusion: We Like

We at ekomia are big fans of family beds. With our "Swebe" model, we have designed a bed whose minimalist style fits into any bedroom. The sturdy solid wood frame provides a stable, safe sleeping surface for both adults and children.

That said, it is clear: the decision for or against a family bed should be carefully discussed together. After all, the needs of every family member must be respected. If the decision comes down in favour of the co-sleeping bed, the next step is choosing the right model.

Smaller rooms may call for more flexible solutions – such as beds with under-bed storage, extensions, or even a bunk bed configuration. Last but not least, do take our safety tips to heart, so that even the youngest family members can sleep safely and soundly through the night.