Here is my response to the latest anti-cobedding ads here in Milwaukee:


"First, let's get the terminology right.  COSLEEPING is actually recommended by 
AAP and others.  Cosleeping is having the baby close to the parents-mother in 
particular. This means in the same room or in a sleeping arrangement next to the 
parent's bed.  It is COBEDDING that is controversial.  Cobedding (or bedsharing) 
 is sharing the same sleep surface.
Now-why is there no outrage over the paternalistic approach we see here.  The 
concern should be SAFE cosleeping, not banning it altogether.  Studies have 
shown that baby is actually safer when sharing a parent’s bed SAFELY than when 
sleeping in a separate room.  (Google James Mckenna to learn more)  However, 
those in power have said that giving guidelines for safe bedsharing might be 
"too confusing" for parents.  Using that thinking, might as well say don't drive 
a car because giving guidelines on safe driving might be too confusing!
EVERY report I have seen that was blamed on co-bedding involved sleeping with 
someone other than mother, sleeping on a couch or recliner, parent had been 
drinking or on medications that affect normal sleep or pillows or blankets being 
used improperly.  Too many times headlines say "Another co-sleeping death!" and 
then go on to say "cause of death still to be determined".  Is this honest, 
unbiased reporting?  Why is it that if a baby dies near a parent, it is 
automatically a "co-sleeping death" while when a baby dies alone it is SIDS?
When James McKenna was interviewed by Channel 6 a while back he predicted the 
reporter would find one common factor in all the "co-sleeping" deaths.  Sure 
enough, when the reporter checked, it was noted that all of the babies whose 
deaths were blamed on "co-sleeping" were not breastfed.  But of course, this 
isn't brought up for fear of "causing guilt", but causing guilt not a concern 
when trying to ban bed sharing."
Winnie Mading



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