unfortunately heather is right, right, right, and let's have a discussion
about more specifics about how to make co-sleeping safe. i have decided in
the wake of this that i need to make "yet another" handout for my clients
about this. what does everyone recommend? barbara's post (horrifying, right?)
points out the need education about this. when i recommend to parents that
they co-sleep (everyone) i describe safe ways to do it. here are some of the
things i include:

- no waterbeds
- no adults that are "under the influence," which can include medications as
well as exhaustion, drugs or alcohol
- breastfeeding babies should co-sleep, i am not sure that non-breastfed
babies should although the health benefits would be good (i am trying to
determine why i have this idea, i never need to verbalize it because i don't
see non-breastfeeding babies, is it just a gut feeling or a bias i can't
quite describe yet? comments please)
- no fluffy blankets, no pillows or other "dangerous" bedding around baby's
face, including clothing
- no electric blankets turned on when child is unattended in bed
- no co-sleeping with adults not the parents of the child (or close relative,
grandmothers specifically invited, but what about nearing impaired?)
- if a bed rail is used, can baby slip down between mattress and rail?
- make sure baby cannot slip down between mattress and bed frame (this is
just the same as in a crib)
- make sure that if baby can fall to floor, there is no loose bedding or
other dangerous thing where the baby would fall
- read dr. sears' book about nighttime parenting

i feel sure that my list is incomplete. what else?

carol brussel IBCLC

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