BESC1110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: John Wiley & Sons, The Journal Of Pediatrics, Bassinet
27 Jun 2018
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Co-Sleeping and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
The issue of co-sleeping and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Kellie Duckworth
University of Notre Dame, Fremantle
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2
THE ISSUE OF CO-SLEEPING AND SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is the leading cause of post-neonatal mortality in
developed countries (Mechtild et al., 1990). One of the main risk factors for the syndrome
was the identified sleeping position. Further findings relating to this identified risk factor
went worldwide in a bid to avoid the risk-causing sleep position, otherwise known as the
“Back to Sleep”. Research shows that after the “Back to Sleep” campaign was released for
preventing the risky sleeping position, the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome mortality rate
had dropped significantly in many developed countries. This is one of the collective
approaches for the issue (Mitchell,1997). Although there is an ongoing debate about bed
sharing/co-sleeping and there are many studies that suggest bed sharing doesn’t increase
the risk factor for SIDS especially for infants but also non-smoking parents. After research
towards this study took place, it was identified that no evidence pointed towards a
decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and that all studies that have taken place
have instead found an increased risk for SIDS with bed sharing infants (Mechtild et al.,
1990).
In some studies, the risk associated with bed sharing increased when the mother
was a smoker. Tobacco smoke was found to be one of the risks that increased the child’s
vulnerability to SIDS whilst bed sharing. This can fall under the individual level of analysis
because the risk is closely associated with the mother’s habits. With Maori communities in
New Zealand posing constantly high risks and rates of SIDS mortality deaths, the simple
prevention of risk factors such as mothers smoking whilst pregnant, and bed sharing are of
significantly high importance for mothers carrying a child or mothers with an infant (Abel &
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Document Summary
The issue of co-sleeping and sudden infant death syndrome. Sudden infant death syndrome, is the leading cause of post-neonatal mortality in developed countries (mechtild et al. , 1990). One of the main risk factors for the syndrome was the identified sleeping position. Further findings relating to this identified risk factor went worldwide in a bid to avoid the risk-causing sleep position, otherwise known as the. Research shows that after the back to sleep campaign was released for preventing the risky sleeping position, the sudden infant death syndrome mortality rate had dropped significantly in many developed countries. This is one of the collective approaches for the issue (mitchell,1997). Although there is an ongoing debate about bed sharing/co-sleeping and there are many studies that suggest bed sharing doesn"t increase the risk factor for sids especially for infants but also non-smoking parents. In some studies, the risk associated with bed sharing increased when the mother was a smoker.
