Paper Sample on Co Sleeping and SIDS

Introduction

Most parents enjoy the warmth of the toddlers, especially at that tender age. Research has proven that most parents co-sleep with their babies to make them (babies) feel safe and secure. This increased body contact is satisfying and rewarding to parents, making them believe an increased relationship with their babies (Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2011). Some parents also believe that resettling and breastfeeding during the night is much more comfortable. It seems practical and convenient for most parents. Some parents also think that they get more sleep when co-sleeping with their babies (McKenna, 2019). Night nursing also extends/prolongs the child-spacing effects of breastfeeding. Most importantly, the joy of waking up next to a smiling baby is unexplainable (Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2011).

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Severe Problems

However, co-sleeping may result in more severe problems, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is characterized by an unexpected death and without apparent reasons and cannot be explained even after case investigation and autopsy. The condition has resulted in several mortalities worldwide (McKenna, 2019). Co-sleeping increases SIDS risk even more in cases where the baby is unwell and the parent is very tired or sick. (McKenna, 2019). At times the case happens when one of the parents or both are smokers/drunkards or when the baby is less than three months old or was smaller than most babies. Further, when the parent is on medication, some drugs prescribed can impair his/her alertness when asleep, and at times sleeping with the baby on soft surfaces like waterbed, armchairs, and old mattress may cause the condition. The recommended sleeping environments for the babies to prevent SIDS therefore include:

• Infants should sleep in a supine position for every sleep for one year since side sleeping is not advised.
• Supine position reduces the risk of choking and aspiration in babies.
• Babies should have a different bed in the same sleeping room with their parents.
• Soft objects and loose beddings should be kept out of the crib as it reduces the risk of suffocation.
• Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy and after birth is also one of the ways of preventing SIDS.

Conclusion

Based on the research and fact findings, co-sleeping have caused many deaths infant deaths, and therefore, I would recommend that parents sleep in the same room but different use beds with their babies to reduce the risk of SIDS from reoccurring.

References

McKenna, J. J. (2019). But What If The “Field” Is A Mother–Baby Behavioural Sleep Laboratory?. The Secret Lives of Anthropologists: Lessons from the Field.
https://cosleeping.nd.edu/

Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. (2011). SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: expansion of recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment.
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/5/1030.