Jan asked if the AAP had a policy statement.

Actually the AAP  *does* have a Policy Statement on the topic, it can be
found at http://www.aap.org/policy/pe000272.html  entitled: Does Bed
Sharing Affect the Risk of SIDS? (RE9725).  I will include a brief excerpt
to give you the general idea...

"A variety of risk factors have been identified for sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS). Prone sleeping by infants has been
one of the most consistent risk factors for SIDS and avoidance of prone
sleeping has been the focus of several national
campaigns to prevent SIDS "Back to Sleep." Recently, scientific 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, sometimes referred to as co-sleeping, 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. Also, it should be noted that no benefits have been shown for
infants sleeping with individuals other than the
mother".

The policy statement does go on to give basic guidelines for safe sleeping
in all situations and in the mothers bed, but it concludes that "There is
no basis at this time for encouraging bed sharing as a strategy to reduce
SIDS risk."

In my groups, when I discuss the benefits of co-sleeping, I also emphasise
the ways parents can co-sleep *safely*...
I am not surprised that the media hasn't run with this yet, I know it hit
Reuters and I was frankly expecting more fallout.  I think it's been a busy
news week (tornadoes, shooting, war...) and they will scoop on it in a
month or two when things are slow.

NancyH
Nancy Holtzman RN BSN LC MOM
Great Beginnings New Mothers Groups and
Boston Breastfeeds!
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.great-beginnings.com

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