Well, I had to go straight to the source.  In August's Pediatrics, the
first article is by one of Lactnet's favorites, Dr. James McKenna (McKenna
JJ, Mosko SS, Richard CA.  Bedsharing promotes breastfeeding.  Pediatrics
1997;100:214-9).  I haven't had a chance to read it, but from the
abstract it appears to be the study which Dr. McKenna spoke so eloquently
about at our recent SIDS symposium (see Archives).  It's wonderful that it
got published in Pediatrics.

The second article is a one page statement from the AAP's Task Force on
Infant Positioning and SIDS (the members are John Kattwinkel, MD, Chair,
John Brooks, MD, Maurice E. Keenan, MD, Michael Malloy, MD and consultant
Marian Willinger, PhD).  The reference is: Does bed sharing affect the
risk of SIDS? Pediatrics, Aug 1997;100:272.  Essentially they reiterate
some risk factors for SIDS and they state that "recent studies have
demonstrated that bed sharing, between mother and infant, can alter and
synchronize sleep patterns of mother and infant.  These studies have led
to speculation in the lay press that bed sharing....may also reduce the
risk of SIDS.  While bed sharing may have certain benefits (such as
encouraging breastfeeding), there are no scientific studies demonstrating
that bed sharing reduces SIDS.  Conversely, there are studies suggesting
that bed sharing, under certain conditions, may actually increase the risk
of SIDS."  They also note the issue of soft bedding under the infant being
a risk factor and that adult beds are not designed to meet safety
standards, etc.  They make a few recommendations, as follows:
"Until more definitive studies evaluating the relationship between bed
sharing and SIDS become available, the following considerations appear
reasonable:
        * Unless otherwise directed by a physician, healthy infants should
be placed down to sleep supine, whatever the sleeping environment.
        * If mothers choose to sleep in the same bed with their infants,
care should be taken to avoid using soft sleep surfaces.  Quilts,
blankets, pillows, comforters, or other similar soft materials should not
be placed under the infant.
        * The bed sharer should not smoke or use substances such as
alcohol or drugs that may impair arousal.
        * Althoug SIDS is sometimes known as "crib death," caretakers
should be assured that cribs do not cause "crib death."
        * Unlike cribs, which are designed to meet safety standards for
infants, adult beds are not so designed and may carry a risk of accidental
entrapment and suffocation.
        * There is no basis at this time for encouraging bed sharing as a
strategy to reduce SIDS risk."

This is nothing new, and has been oft discussed on Lactnet. I would have
preferred if they had repeated their "Whatever the sleep environment" for
the caution about soft bedding, smoking, alcohol or drugs.  I could have
done without the reassurance about cribs, as well (smacks to me of the
"let's not make them feel guilty" stuff.
Of course, leave it to the media to isolate the negative stuff. Regards,
Alicia.