Hi folks,
Linda Smith posted this on another listserv and I want to make sure everyone
sees it!
NPR story slams co-sleeping
<http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=2> All Things
Considered, July 26, 2007
Infant Smothering Deaths Spike in Detroit
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12262817
Story was on smothering deaths in Wayne County, MI.
It completely conflates co-sleeping with smothering and makes it sound like
crib sleeping=safe, co-sleeping=dangerous/death. Especially appalling at
least one death the infant was sleeping with a sibling, and in another
sleeping with a non-relative... Not even sure all the deaths happened in
beds...
Jim McKenna's comments below.
If you want to respond, go to: http://www.npr.org/contact/
Here's the letter that I just sent in:
Dear Michele Norris:
I take issue with your story, "Infant Smothering Deaths Spike Detroit,"
[July 26, 2007]. As publisher of the just-released book, Sleeping With Your
Baby: A Parent's Guide to Cosleeping, by James J. McKenna, Ph.D. [Platypus
Media, 2007], we have studied the subject thoroughly. In fact, Dr. McKenna
was the first scientist to undertake sleep laboratory physiological studies
of both mothers and infants.
Dr. Carl Schmidt insists that infants should never sleep anywhere other than
a crib, yet we know that human children are dependent physiologically,
socially and psychologically on the presence of the caregiver. We also know
that babies put to sleep in CRIBS have a suffocation death rate more than
DOUBLE that of babies who sleep with a sober adult on a flat bed!
The reality is that car seats, high chairs, strollers, cribs and beds can
all be used in a safe or unsafe manner. Many children have died in car
seats, yet we don't tell parents to get rid of the car seats. Rather we
instruct them on how to use them in the safest possible manner. To imply
that all cosleeping environments are inherently unsafe is not only
simplistic, but is blatantly wrong! The solution to suffocation deaths in
not to preach the gospel of cribs.
No two families are alike, but all families should be able to determine what
sleeping arrangements are the best, and safest, for their lifestyles,
physical, intellectual and emotional needs.
Sleeping arrangements do not fit into a one-size-fits-all rule. Your story
presents a simplistic solution to a complex issue-and harms families in the
process!
Dia L. Michels
Publisher,
Platypus Media
Washington, DC
-----Original Message-----
From: <mailto:jmckenn1%40nd.edu> [log in to unmask] [mailto:
<mailto:jmckenn1%40nd.edu> [log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 5:57 PM
To: Linda J. Smith
Subject: Re: FW: NPR story slams co-sleeping
Quoting "Linda J. Smith" < <mailto:lindaj%40bflrc.com> [log in to unmask]>:
Yes, Please everyone..call in and have them NPR ask me or someone to
present the other side of an important story...Michelle Tradeau has done
wonderful
NPR programs on cosleeeping..I am certain they will be willing to do so..Can
you
get this around, Linda? Thank you..But please an avalanche of calls and
e-mail by us is required..Please send this out to any breastfeeding listserv
that
you can..This is very important.
yours
jim mckenna
_________________________________________________
Dia L. Michels
Platypus Media -- Books for Families, Teachers and Parenting Professionals
627 A Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-546-1674
Toll-free: 1-877-PLATYPS (1-877-872-8977)
Fax: 202-546-2356
[log in to unmask]
www.PlatypusMedia.com
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