Comments on: Co-Sleeping is Safe, Despite Alarmist Media Claims

By: SIDS Doctor and Researcher Recommends Co-Sleeping

SIDS Doctor and Researcher Recommends Co-Sleeping — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:03:24 +0000

[...] of SIDS from sharing a bed with your baby as reason why baby should sleep alone in a crib. The media jumps on tragic stories of death from improper bed sharing as further evidence of the dangers of [...]

By: 26 Average US Crib Injuries a Day: Co-sleeping is Safer

26 Average US Crib Injuries a Day: Co-sleeping is Safer — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:25:28 +0000

[...] Many opponents of the family bed and co-sleeping claim it is unsafe. It is true that injuries and tragic deaths have occurred when babies are placed in adult beds, but most of the time this is the fault of parents who do not remove bedding or practice safe co-sleeping practices. [...]

By: Sleep toddler

Sleep toddler — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:24:50 +0000

Make sure that your child knows that it is time to sleep. Toddlers and babies can develop an instinct to sleep if you start putting them on bed at a fixed time and then turn on the lights.

By: SLEEP RESEARCH – Latest SLEEP RESEARCH news – Editorial: Load up on life, not classes

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:06:54 +0000

[...] Co-Sleeping is Safe, Despite Alarmist Media Claims [...]

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:43:36 +0000

I believe really passionately after 4 children of my own and watching countless other adults parent in different ways, that co-sleeping is inherently expected, needed and loved by both the baby and the mother (in the peace of mind she aquires and of course the restful sleep). I sleep well and so does the baby from birth. If there’s a moment in the night when the baby stirs or misses a breath I’m suddenly awake and there for them. The days that follow are more relaxed as both myself and the baby are well rested. Most importantly the beautiful bond we share having enjoyed the intimacy of co-sleeping is amazing.

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:28:05 +0000

I agree with “Bob”. I can’t understand how we Americans can accept some technological advancements as good and others as bad. We generally accept that riding in a car seat is much safer for an infant despite the fact that few of us adults rode in car seats and yet, we’re alive.

The adult bed in the United States is not a safe structure for an infant. The mattress that we use is generally much softer than an infant mattress. It also can have pillows, sheets, blankets, duvets, pillow toppers and all sorts of other soft bedding. Some use mattresses that are air filled and some use mattresses made of memory foam – all deadly to an infant.

Is it possible to make the adult bed less dangerous? Absolutely. Some parents, especially those committed to the theory of attachment parenting give great thought and planning to the family bed. These parents are making an informed choice to raise there children in a certain way.

However, that’s not the norm for the majority of new parents. The majority of new parents start out with all good intentions of placing their infants in cribs to sleep and then in a moment of exhaustion, they fall into bed with their infant. This is considered “chaotic bedsharing”. It rarely includes alcohol or drugs. It’s mostly exhaustion that brings on poor choices.

I work with many of the parents who have experienced the unexpected death of an infant. It’s horrible. It only takes a moment to suffocate a baby. It takes a lifetime to mourn that same baby.

As a parent, you get to decide. It’s your choice. No different that putting your child in a car seat – or not. No different that requiring your child to wear a bike helmet – or not.

By: gerti

gerti — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:23:09 +0000

Ooopsie…I meant to write “the blanket could NOT slide over his face”

By: gerti

gerti — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:22:00 +0000

Co-sleeping doesn´t always mean that the baby sleeps with you in bed as it is explained in the article. My son slept the first week next to me in bed. We did not use a pillow and made sure the blanket was under his arms so it could slide over his face. After the first week he moved into a co-sleeper bed next to my bed. This discussion should not be about what is wrong or not. Parents should be allowed to do whatever feels right for them and their baby. Why isn´t the focus on explaining to parents what to look for if you want to share your bed with your baby to make sure everything will be fine. Some mothers don´t want their newborn in bed with them which is ok as well and then you have to make sure you place your baby in a safe crib and on her/his back. Just accept each others opinion and teach parents about possible risks of either ways. It should be that easy.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:56:00 +0000

Putting babies in car seats is a relatively new practice. The vast majority of babies NOT riding in car seats suffer no harm. Therefore, people who urge use of car seats are just alarmist ninnies.

By: Grace

Grace — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:15:51 +0000

Co-Sleeping is wonderful, and the writers here are absolutely correct. Making an infant sleep alone is a relatively new practice, and co-sleeping is a natural and healthy thing to do – as long as you are informed on how to go about it. Yes, the media does like to misrepresent and make examples of any tragedy that happens, but that does not mean that family beds or co-sleeping in general are unsafe.