This is the message I sent to my local newspaper's editorial page:

Each year in the USA 6,000 to 7,000 baby's die of crib death (what we
now call SIDS).  Each year in the USA 64 babies die when sleeping with a
parent.  Therefore, it is 100 times more likely that a baby will die
when sleeping in a crib than when sleeping with its parent.

        Of the 64 babies that died while co-sleeping, how many of the
parents
were affected by alcohol or drug ingestion?  How many died because the
baby was on soft bedding, a waterbed, or surrounded by soft pillows,
etc.?

        Doesn't it make more sense to offer suggestions to make
co-sleeping
safer rather than make a declaration against it entirely?  Namely, do
not sleep with your baby if you are under the influence of alcohol or
drugs; if you are obese; in a waterbed.  Do not place the baby on its
stomach to sleep, and remove all soft bedding, comforters, and soft
pillows or stuffed animals from the area around the baby's face.

Barb Berges BS, RN, IBCLC
Rochester, New York

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