Replies to '10/07 The Latest Debates'

Well, I didn't mean to imply that you have to co-sleep to breastfeed, I just know it makes it much easier for me. I also enjoy it for its cuddling aspect. I wasn't dogging those who don't do it, I actually admire your dedication to still pump in the night to keep your supply going. I also know that a lot of women who do BF are afraid to cosleep because they're just doing what they think is best and they want the best for their kids. I was so afraid to do it that I went through major sleep deprivation in the early days nursing around the clock and sitting up trying to stay awake. I also know that it's perfectly safe to do as long as you follow a few safety guidelines. And a lot of people suffer sleep deprivation or do night time bottles because they need to sleep, I just know that with cosleeping my son and I (and my husband) all get a good night's sleep every night and my son gets to eat as much as he wants, and we're still nursing at 15 months. A lot of moms I know who don't cosleep dry up prior to 1 year. I was just putting it out there as an option although I'm not trying to offend anyone or imply that it has to be done to BF. 

Also, interestingly there was a study that showed that SIDS was higher in babies who slept in cribs than in the family bed.The rate was twice as high for crib babies. While suffocation was more likely in the family bed, the non-SIDs family bed deaths were only 1.5% of the SIDS deaths. For more information on this see www dot askdrsears dot com and search for safe sleeping articles. 

I think this has something to do with breathing in more exhaled CO2, not going into the deepest state of sleep, and also the parents being aware of when the baby stops breathing and being there to assist the baby within moments.