bedsharing
Regardless of how longstanding a practice bedsharing has been over the years, nor of how many perceived advantages it can bring for mother-child contact, it would seem that, in light of the research that has been carried out into bedsharing over the last few decades, it may be advisable to err on the side of caution and avoid bedsharing to keep your baby as safe as possible
> In May 2013, BMJ Open published an article entitled 'Bedsharing when parents do not smoke: is there a risk of SIDS?' Tis research presented the individual records of 1,472 cot death cases and 4,679 control cases across five studies from different countries conducted between 1987 and 2003. From these records, the researchers concluded that the risk of SIDS among breastfed babies under three months increased with bedsharing, even when the parents did not smoke and the mother had not consumed alcohol or drugs. As a result, the researchers called for health professionals to 'make a definite stand against all bedsharing, especially for babies under three months'. Te study also concluded that
'bedsharing for sleep when the parents do not smoke or take alcohol or drugs increases the risk of SIDS', but, perhaps most importantly, concluded that 'risks associated with bedsharing are greatly increased when
44MODERNMUM Summer 2016
combined with parental smoking, maternal alcohol consumption and/or drug use. A substantial reduction of SIDS rates could be achieved if parents avoided bedsharing'. Various organisations connected with
baby and infant safety, such as the Health Service Executive (HSE) are unequivocal in their stance on bedsharing, making it quite clear that parents should not fall asleep in bed with their baby if either parent smokes or has taken alcohol, drugs or medication that makes them sleep heavily. Tis advice also applies to sleeping with a baby on a sofa or armchair. Regardless of how longstanding a practice
bedsharing has been over the years, nor of how many perceived advantages it can bring for mother-child contact, it would seem that, in light of the research that has been carried out into bedsharing over the last few decades, it may be advisable to err on the side of caution and avoid bedsharing to keep your baby as safe as possible. „
HSE RECOMMENDATIONS:
• The safest place for your baby to sleep at night is in a cot in your room - bedsharing can be dangerous.
• Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot and keep their face and head uncovered, the cot free of soft objects and anything loose or fluffy. Make sure the cot and mattress are in good condition.
• Make sure baby does not get too hot when asleep.
• Create a smoke-free zone for your baby - do not smoke during pregnancy and don't let anyone smoke in your home, car or around your baby.
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