Bed Not the Place for an Infant
I see how it can be tempting. You have a newborn baby, you are getting very little sleep and your are often awaken by your baby crying. You go into the child's room or take the baby out of the bassinet in your room and bring them to your bed. The infant is comforted and soon both of you are fast asleep in your bed, along with possibly your husband or partner.
A recent study released claims one in three infant deaths are the result of unsafe sleeping conditions. And in fact, unsafe sleeping is the second leading cause of infant deaths. The first is infections in mothers and babies. Infants sleeping in their parents' bed, can easily be smothered by pillows and blankets or have their parents accidentally roll over them.
While it may mean you receive less zzzz's, parents should make an effort to have their infant sleep in their cribs. It may be the difference between life and death.
Anne Gonnella
5:27 pm on Thursday, June 9, 2011
I'm really interested in seeing the study you refer to. From studies I've read, the unsafe sleeping conditions are usually related to alcohol or drug use, obesity, or other health problems, not simply co-sleeping. The studies frequently do not distinguish between these varying conditions when concludng that co-sleeping is a problem.
Here is a article pointing to a new book that cites many health benefits of co-sleeping.
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/07/co-sleeping-children-should-sleep-with.html
Jen Przydzial
10:57 am on Friday, June 10, 2011
A nurse named Jennifer Combs is conducted the study. Google her name and you find many hits about her and the study she is doing. And yes, she does recognize that drug and alcohol abuse sometimes, but not always play a role in the death of co-sleeping infant. As you point out, there are many different views on this subject; some that promote it and others who do not. Thanks for your comment.
Mary Kate Murray
1:29 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2011
I will cite an excerpt from the book Attached at the Heart. And I'd like to encourage a more comprehensive look at this topic. "A little historical background may help put this concern into better perspective. It's important to know that infant solitary sleep is a relatively new practice that has evolved on the Western world only within the last 100 years. Recently various professional and medical organizations have discouraged parents from sleeping with their children for fear that it contributes to an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, new research demonstrates that sharing sleep, when practiced by informed parents, can be safe and beneficial. In fact, many cultures around the world, where millions of parents routinely sleep with their children, have reported some of the lowest SIDS rates. In some of these cultures, such as China and Japan, it is virtually nonexistent."
Dr. William Sears makes the case for mother's breathing acting as a pacemaker for the very young baby. Mother/Child Sleep Researcher of the University of Notre Dame, James McKenna, has information on the subject. http://is.gd/dul0ha And his thoughts specifically on this debate is here - http://is.gd/B3ASGk
In summary, it's worth another look. And I think it's important for your readers that may be uninformed on this topic to be aware that there are many perspectives as you say. Though our views differ greatly, I thank you for brining up such an important topic.
Mary Kate Murray
1:36 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2011
One addition - there is a wealth of information online on what guidelines to follow for safe co-sleeping.