This just out. An international team of researchers
have analyzed 11 studies on bed-sharing and sudden infant death syndrome in an
attempt to clarify what is known about the risks of the family bed. The studies
were selected from all studies published on the topic since 1970. The debate will continue since some
studies indicate that bed sharing does not
increase the risk of SIDS for infants of non-smoking parents. Currently some countries advise parents
simply not to bring their baby into their bed. Other counties, and Beginnings Parents Guide, advise not to share their bed in certain circumstances. These are the
circumstances in which bed-sharing is a major risk for SIDS: · Parents
who smoke: Among babies whose mothers smoke, an infant sharing the mother’s
bed is more than 6 times as likely to die of SIDS than if s/he sleeps
separately. In comparison, an
infant who sleeps with a non-smoking mother is no more likely to die of SIDS than
if sleeping alone. A 2011 study not included in the meta-analysis found a further increased
risk if both parents smoke, and demonstrated that fathers’ smoking also is a
risk. When one parent smoked, compared to none, the risk of SIDS with bed sharing increased two and half
times, and slightly more if the smoker was the father. When both parents smoked,
the risk increased four and half times. · Baby
under 3 months old. Bed
sharing with infants <12 weeks old was investigated by three studies.
Combined findings showed a greater than 10-fold increase in the risk of SIDS
when babies slept with another person. In contrast, for older infants, there
was no significant increase. · Only
occasional bed sharing. For
babies who shared a bed on the night they died, but routinely slept separately,
the special-occasion bed-sharing doubled the risk of SIDS. This may be partly explained by the
infants’ illness that was the reason for bringing the baby into the parents’
bed. Notably, for babies who routinely shared the bed, there was no significant increase in risk. Further, babies
who are returned to their own bed during the night are not at increased risk.
This suggests that temporary bed-sharing to breastfeed or comfort the baby adds
no risk of SIDS and may be beneficial. · Inappropriate
surfaces Sharing a sofa,
waterbed or other very soft surface creates excess risk of SIDS. Further the US
Consumer Product Safety Commission reports the majority of sleep-related infant
deaths are attributable to suffocation involving pillows, quilts, and extra
bedding. So the guidelines for safe crib bedding also apply to the family
bed. · Parents
using alcohol and drugs Less conclusive emerging evidence shows
the risk of bed sharing is increased when parents’ responsiveness is reduced by
alcohol or drugs. In light of the evidence, the 2012 fourth edition of the Beginnings Parents Guide will continue
to warn against bed sharing if either parent smokes or has consumed alcohol or
drugs. It will continue to emphasize use of tight-fitting bedding and no pillows, loose blankets, or
stuffed animals. It will add a warning against parents sharing their bed with a
baby under three months of age, whether or not they smoke. References Vennemann MM, Hense HW, Bajanowski T, Blair PS, et al. (2012) Bed Sharing
and the Risjk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Can We Resolve the Debate? Journal of Pediatrics 160: 44-48.
Available online at www.jpeds.com Liebrechts-Akkerman G, Lao O, Liu F, et al. (2011) Postnatal parental
smoking: an important risk factor for SIDS. European
Journal of Pediatrics 170:1281-1291 Chowdry
RT. (2010) Nursery Producut-related Injuries and Deaths Among Children Under
Age Five. Washington, DC: US Consumer Product Safety Commission |
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