Should I have my baby in bed with me?
Co-sleeping has been generating a lot of media attention lately, and with convincing arguments both for and against, it's a confusing choice for parents.
Research from Bristol University has shown that more than half of cot deaths are linked to bed sharing. However, a study carried out by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) showed that a quarter of mothers doubted that sharing a bed put them at undue risk.
For a while it's been known that co-sleeping can lead to many of the conditions linked with sudden in death syndrome (SIDS), such as over-heating, suffocation from duvets and pillows and being close to parents who drink and smoke.
But there are also strong arguments that say that co-sleeping improves the bond between the parents and the baby and make breast feeding easier.
Here, two experts outline the pros and cons for co-sleeping.
Melanie Every, of The Royal College of Midwives, comes across a lot of co-sleeping mums in the line of duty. Although she can see the benefits, such as bonding and more breast-milk production, she says parents need to be aware of the risks.
'For all sorts of reasons (cultural, historical, comfort in the middle of the night, particularly when breast-feeding) women will take their babies into bed with them,' says Melanie. 'The sensible approach is to advise mums of the safest way and explain which conditions really are a total "no-no".'
By Harriet Mellor
- Next: Co-sleeping: The pros
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Obinna Ekwom, 8 months
I am of the opinion that co-sleeping with baby not only improves baby parent bonding but also allows for easier observation, mentoring and succour to the baby. It brings the family together and would even improve parenting habits and concern as the parents are likely to give up ill habits such as drinking and smoking for their bundle of joy right in the middle. My wife and i share the bed with our lovely daughter Gabriella
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Catherine, 23 days
I think it's better to for the mother/parents to sleep in their bed and to have the baby next to you in his/her cot. So if baby awakes or cries mum can be on hand there and then!
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