Given the increase in posts on this - and they do concern breastfeeeding 
rates directly - I thought it might be useful to remind people that 
there is a difference between 'co-sleeping' and 'bed sharing'.

There is a tendancy for people to use the phrase 'co-sleeping' for 'bed 
sharing', as co-sleeping sounds more up to date and somehow more 'hip' 
and cool' - even more scientific. Or at least, not old-fashioned :-)

But 'co-sleeping' is not bed sharing.  Co-sleeping means baby is either 
by your bed, as in on their own mattress by your mattress, or in a side 
attaching crib or cradle.  Baby is in baby's space, you are in your 
space, and the two spaces directly connect.  In fact, a baby in a 
seperate crib, two inches from the mother, and with the mother touching 
and breathing on the baby, can be said to be 'co-sleeping'.

Co-sleeping in hospitals is quite simple affair, as a side car can be 
attached to the mother's bed.  Simple in theory, but I expect there will 
be huge fuss about how much money this would cost - plastic boxes would 
not do it.  Mother does need to be able to touch, and breathe on, the baby.

Bed sharing, on the other hand, requires mother and baby to be in the 
same bed - on the same mattress.  More care needs to be taken on the bed 
shared newborn - in terms of mattress roll, and bed covers.  However 
this care is easier for the mother, as she can lift her leg and hip in 
the apparently hard wired fashion, and keep the baby up to her head 
level by her thigh. 

Bed sharing in a standard hospital bed would not really be feasible, 
even if the mother was a skelf!  (That's Scottish for far too thin for 
her own good.)  If you're looking for bed sharing in a hospital - wider 
beds will be needed!  ;-) 

On the other hand, some maternity units in the UK have a double bed in a 
normal looking bedroom, for mother, father and baby, to cuddle and bond in.

Morgan Gallagher
(who co-slept for six weeks, until her GP reassured her she wasn't going 
to kill the baby, and then moved onto bed sharing)

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome