We always hear the scare stories about babies being smothered by
sleeping with parent(s).  What about the babies that are harmed by
being in mom's arms when she falls asleep sitting up?  I know of one
case where a baby got a cracked skull (no apparant brain damage at
the time) becuase mom dozed off sitting up in a chair (room had a
hard floor).  The same individuals who know about that case also
know of one where dad (who had been drinking) fell asleep with baby
and rolled over on baby who subsequently died.  Now which one is the
only one they remember?  I think once people set an opinion in their
head, they only tend to remember the incidents that prove their
pre-set opinion unless they are open to learning something new.  I
made a point to mention after the dropped baby incident that if mom
had been lying next to baby it wouldn't have happened.  (Not to the
mother who probably felt bad enough already, but to staff.)
Fortunately, we don't have a specific policy.  When I first started
at this hospital 12 or so years ago, everyone got upset when they
would find a baby in bed with a sleeping mom.  Over the years it has
become more acceptable.  We teach SAFE sleeping wherever that
occurs.  I tell moms that as long as they haven't been drinking,
aren't taking anything that makes them abnormally sleepy or unaware
of their surroundings, and aren't in a waterbed (although I know
that's debatable), they are probably safer falling asleep next to
baby than sitting up where baby could roll off the lap.  We also
point out that there shouldn't be any fluffy pillows or blankets
near baby's face.  Dress baby warmly enough that covers aren't
needed.
I can't count how many moms over the years have told the same
story-They faithfully got up for all night feedings with their
first.  Then when the second came along and they got even less
sleep, they all report a time when they started to doze off waking
in time to catch baby as she/he was about to roll off their lap.
From that time on and with any subsequent babies, they either spent
the night with baby in bed or brought baby to bed with the first
waking and either kept them there or returned baby to crib when mom
woke later.
Winnie Mading

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