Re the query about SIDS and over-lying a baby, I noticed, but did not read
(as I was searching for something else) a ref. in PEDIATRICS (since 1990) on
the incidence of infantacide being blamed on SIDS or over-lying.  If someone
else has the time today, perhaps they can go to the PEDS electronic page and
search that article.  It may elucidate some issues which would be useful to
the LC who now must defend Dr. McKenna's position re:  shared sleep.

  I agree with  directly addressing the issue of substance abuse with
new parents when talking about shared sleep.  Alcoholism and drug abuse are
diseases which touch millions of families, and often the family is very good
at protecting that secret.  It is not easy to identify from the outside
looking in.  One of the most devastating ways these diseases affect family
members is in the impairment of decisions regarding child safety.  It can be
very hard for a mother to tell an alcoholic father that it is unsafe for him
to sleep in the same bed as the nursing dyad. Or for a sober father to
tell a prescription drug abusing or drinking wife that it isn't safe to
sleep with the baby.

 Hopefully it is helpful  to have a third party say, in a
factual, non-judgemental way: " Parents who have been drinking or using
drugs to the point of impairment should place baby safely in a crib so they
don't roll over on the baby
and hurt it."  This is a remark I make in  pre-natal classes I teach.

Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html




Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html