Happy New Year Everyone,

I am a little behind in my reading but this is in response to Jennifer's
post about  possibly recommending co-sleeping from December 16th.

One of our new mom peditricians found herself in a co-sleeping arrangment
with her newborn out of necessity for improved sleep. She was so surprised
this occurred, since she never really thought it would,  she decided to
survey new parents from her practice. She found that of over 125 patient
interviewed that about 60% of them, had at some point co-slept it,  whether
routinely or just occasionally.

After careful review of the literature (while on maternity leave, TIC!) and
with some trepidation she opted for the bed extender that placed the baby in
close proximity to her, but in a somewhat less risky arrangement. Her take
on this was that co-sleeping apparently is something that is fairly widely
done, and that most women do not talk to their doctors about it for fear of
being told not too, and that perhaps it is something more physicians should
educate parents about. Specifically the obesity, smoking, alcohol/drug risks
that have occured in some of the deaths where co-sleeping had also suspected
to be a factor.

If asked, I generally say that if this arrangment gives every one in the
house a little more sleep in those early sleep deprived weeks, how can it be
the wrong thing to do.  I also discuss it from a cultural perspective and
say that in other cultures it is more acceptable than here in the United
States and that each parent ultimately will choose what is right for them
based on their own personal situation.

LuAnn Smith RN, IBCLC
PA
(Where winter is way too much already and I'm not so patiently waiting for
spring!)


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