Can I leave my baby to nap while I shower?
Short answer: The Lullaby Trust says room sharing does not mean you cannot leave the room briefly, for a cup of tea or the toilet. Your baby is safest with you close by most of the time.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Decide between audio, video and app-connected models.
- Keep cables well out of reach of the cot.
- A monitor does not replace safer-sleep advice or room sharing for the first 6 months.
What the guidance says
- The NHS advises placing your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first 6 months.
Related questions
What is a baby monitor?
An audio or video device that lets you hear or see your baby from another room.
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Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.