There are attacks underway on a number of different fronts, aimed at co-sleeping and therefore breastfeeding.  

I think it's important to use language to protect co-sleeping in the same way we protect and define breastfeeding.  Some examples:

--  Sometimes babies die in spite of co-sleeping, not because of it.

--  It's important to protect the breastfeeding relationship and milk supply when babies are separated from mothers, for example due to employment or sleep arrangements.

--  Co-sleeping is a normal part of the breastfeeding relationship.

--  Sometimes there are sound medical reasons to refrain from co-sleeping, or to alter the co-sleeping relationship to keep it safe.

--  It is normal for healthy mothers and babies to enjoy breastfeeding, co-sleeping, the nurturing contact of cuddling and touch.  Smoking puts your baby at risk.  Drugs and alcohol put your baby at risk.  Inappropriate support and bedding put your baby at risk.  Impaired judgment posses risks for your baby in every aspect of parenting.  Responsible parents and care providers consider many factors when deciding how to best nurture and protect an individual child.

There are many ways to phrase guidance without undermining co-sleeping.  Parents are susceptible to language and other marketing tools, we all are.

How are others protecting and explaining co-sleeping?  

Breastfeeding continues to take hits on many fronts.  We keep having to explain 2 things:
1.  why breastfeeding is important
2.  what breastfeeding looks like

It's ironic we continually battle culture for the privilege of sharing biology.  Mothers who contact me want the truth, the biology, not the cultural trend.

Susan Johnson MFA, IBCLC, RLC
Salt Lake City, Utah USA



      

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