The nature of behaviors during sleep onset latency (SOL) at night bedtime was studied in a group of 40 hospitalized children ages 3 to 8 years whose parents did not room-in. Research questions were: (a) What is the nature of behaviors during sleep onset latency of young children whose parents do not room-in? and (b) How are these behaviors related to family structure, social status, age, gender, previous hospitalizations, and number of days hospitalized? Child subjects were observed using the Senders, Signals, and Receivers (SSR) computer-compatible system to measure SOL, distress, and self-soothing behaviors for 2-3 consecutive nights. The median falling asleep time was 26 minutes. Variations in SOL and self-soothing behaviors were not significantly related to family structure, social status, gender, age, length of hospitalization, night of hospitalization, or previous hospitalizations. Greater distress behaviors were, however, significantly related to children of two-parent families and those from middle social status.