Sharing a bed with a baby does not increase risk of cot death, research shows

Sharing a bed with a baby does not increase the risk of cot death, says study that could change the way infants are cared for.
Parents across Britain have been put off sharing a bed with their new babies by official advice which says it is safer for all children under the age of six months to be put in a cot in their parents' room.
This was based on research which appeared to establish a strong link between "co-sleeping" and sudden infant death syndrome – or cot death.
But the new study found that sharing a bed with a baby was only more dangerous if other factors were also involved.
Parents drinking alcohol were the greatest danger for babies who shared their beds.
Other risk factors included parents smoking or taking drugs, use of heavy bedding, adult pillows and soft mattresses, and when parents were "excessively tired" – defined as having had less than four hours sleep the night before.
The British study also shows that infants are at the greatest risk of all if they and their parents fell asleep on sofas.
However, it parents avoided all the other risk factors, sleeping in a bed with their baby proved no more risky than putting them in a cot in their parents' room.
Childcare experts said last night that the news would be received with relief by many parents, while midwives said it would help them to provide better advice.
But experts on sudden infant death syndrome urged caution until new advice was given.
Of about 300 UK unexplained infant deaths which occur each year, 45 per cent happen in beds shared by babies and their parents,
Experts have known for some time that parents' behaviours and the type of bedroom environment alter the risk of infant death among families who co-sleep, but this is the first detailed study to examine those circumstances in detail.
It concludes that once other factors are stripped out, co-sleeping does not in itself increase the risk to the baby.
Drink, drugs and extreme tiredness are likely to mean parents fall into a deep sleep, and will be less sensitive to both their body movements and the cues of a baby in distress. Heavy bedding, adult pillows and soft mattresses could squash and restrict the infant.
Childcare experts said the findings were "extremely significant," because previous studies have found that mothers who share a bed with their baby are more likely to breast-feed for longer, boosting the child's immune systems and improving their long-term health.
Researcher Dr Peter Blair, who will present his research to a conference of the charity Unicef, in Glasgow, this week, said: "This study shows that it is not co-sleeping that is unsafe, but the circumstances under which some parents co-sleep that create risks".
He said he hoped the findings would be used to give parents better and more sophisticated advice about whether or not to share a bed with their babies.
Dr Blair, from the University of Bristol, said the study of sudden infant deaths occurring in four years across the South West of Britain, was the most detailed study yet of the factors which could make co-sleeping risky.
The new research highlights the risks for mothers who follow official advice to put their babies in a cot, but find themselves falling asleep when they rise in the night to feed or comfort their babies.
"Over the past decade, the proportion of unexplained infant deaths which occur when parent and child fell asleep on a sofa has doubled, it will show.
Prof Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "It will be really useful to have research shedding light on an incredibly important area.
"Until now we have had a default position that in the absence of information about why co-sleeping appears to carry risks, it is best for mothers not to do it.
"This will allow us to give much more sophisticated advice, and it will reassure a lot of women who want to share a bed with their baby but feel anxious about it".
All the experts warned that parents should think carefully about the extra risks if any alcohol had been drunk.
"Unless further details emerge, we would have to assume any alcohol drunk by parents could put the baby at risk," Dr Warwick said.
Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust, said: "The findings sound extremely significant. We are really pleased to see that evidence about the safety of co-sleeping is building, because we know it improves breastfeeding rates.
"We also know a lot of parents prefer to do it but feel guilty because they are unsure about the risks".
She said precise information about the risks attached to type of bed and bedding would be vital for parents who wanted to safely share their bed with their baby.
In the absence of clear information about what kind of bed and bedding is safe, the NCT recommends the use of "alongside cots", a three-sided enclosed cot attached to the main bed, as a good compromise.
Justine Roberts, co-founder of Mumsnet, a web discussion group for mothers, said: "I think quite a few mums will be breathing a sigh of relief about these findings. Sharing beds can mean a better night's sleep all around, and a lot of mothers feel it is part of the attachment with their baby."
However, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths urged parents to be cautious until the new findings had been published and peer-reviewed. Director Joyce Epstein said that until the evidence had been fully considered, the charity would not change its advice that the safest place for a baby to sleep for the first six months is in a cot in the parents' room.
She pointed to other studies which found a small increase in the risk of sudden infant death when bed sharing, even when several known risk factors were excluded.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Our advice remains that the safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot in a room with you for the first six months. However, we will examine this research and its findings carefully."
Safely sharing a bed with your child – what to avoid
Parents sharing a bed with a baby under the age of six months is no more dangerous than putting them in their own cot, provided:
– Parents don't smoke
– Parents don't drink
– Parents don't take drugs
– Bedding doesn't include adult pillows
– Bedding is not heavy
– Mattress is not soft
– Parents are not "excessively tired" – defined as having had less than four hours sleep the night before.
For a safe way to bring your baby into your bed, see Baby etc’s Snugglenest.

Rear Facing Pushchairs

Choosing a baby buggy from the bewildering choice of three-wheelers, sports models and off-roaders is, for many parents, as stressful and expensive as buying a small car.
Yet children want nothing more than the reassurance of facing the person pushing them, according to research published today.
They laugh more, sleep more and have slower heart rates, indicating that they are less stressed. Those that are awake talk more.
It indicates that parents who pay a fortune for strollers that have enviable suspension, leather seats and iPod holders – but point the child in the direction of travel, like most on the market – may be wasting money.
The report, What’s Life in a Baby Buggy Like?, by Suzanne Zeedyk, of the University of Dundee, concludes: “These two studies suggest that it is more isolated than many adults realise – and may be more emotionally impoverished than is good for children’s development.
“As infants get older they are more interested in the environment around them. Outward-facing buggies are seen as supporting that interest.
“But if children do not have parents’ facial and body signals available to them, then they have no help available to determine whether things are safe, threatening, pleasant, interesting or dangerous.”
Most babies and young children spend between thirty minutes and two hours a day in a buggy, the research says. It was backed by the National Literacy Trust, was funded by the Sutton Trust, an educational charity, and claims to be the first of its kind.
More than 2,700 parents with children were observed on British high streets before researchers tested their theories in detail on 20 mothers and infants. The first study noted that the majority of buggies were away-facing.
More of the infants in these buggies were silent, fewer were speaking and more sought parental attention. Parents with strollers facing them were more than twice as inclined to talk to the infant, and more children talked back.
Also, the child was twice as likely to be sleeping, which the researchers interpreted as a sign of reduced stress levels. One observer said: “So many parents were on mobiles.” Another added: “The only communication seen today was when the child was given sweets and crisps.”
Dr Zeedyk said that previous studies had shown the importance of children seeing their mothers’ facial expressions. “On every occasion that a baby needs a communicative response but is unable to obtain it, this creates a low-level stress response in the infant,” her report said. “When such instances of stress occur repeatedly and frequently, they become damaging to infants’ neural, physiological and psychological development.”
In the second study, 20 mothers took their children out in either a towards or away-facing buggy, before swapping. Pulse rates were lower in buggies that faced their mothers, and children laughed much more. Mothers spoke more than twice as much.
The report concluded that we hold “cultural perceptions that child transportation methods are fairly inconsequential as long as children are physically safe”.
A spokeswoman for Parentline Plus, the parenting support charity, said: “This research may influence decisions about what sort of pushchair might be most beneficial. However, I’d reassure parents that this is just one small part of early parenting.”
Babyetc stocks a great range of pushchairs, many of which can be adapted to be front or rear facing. For further information see the Babyetc website.

Water Aeorobics May Ease Pain in Labour

A new study suggests that water aerobics can help with the pain women go through when giving birth.

The study was led by Rosa Pereira from the University of Capminas in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For the study, 71 mothers were split into two groups with half doing water aerobics while pregnant, and half not.Researchers then compared how many of them in each group requested pain relief while giving birth.

They found some interesting numbers, as 65% of women who did not do water aerobics ended up requesting pain relief in labour, compared to only 27% of those who did water aerobics three times each week during pregnancy.

Things which were consistent in all of the women included delivery time, size and weight of baby.

The study was published in the Journal of Reproductive Health.

Whether or not they enjoy the water themselves, many parents like to introduce their babies to swimming as early as possible. For safe, hygienic baby swim suits see the Baby etc website

Bed Bugs

Stunning new ladybird and bee sleeping bags have been launched by Babyetc.co.uk . Designed and made in France to delight Mum and Dad as well as baby, they have a 2.5 tog rating which is perfect for autumn, winter and early spring weather in the UK.

The bee-shaped sleeping bag has a yellow stripy body with wings on the back, while the ladybird version comes in contrasting pinks and has spots on the back. Both have velvety, velour insect legs sewn onto the sides, which baby will love to grab and feel.

Lined in soft jersey cotton, with cotton poplin on the outside, and filled with lightweight, easy-dry polyester quilting, these super sleeping bags have a side zip and poppers at the shoulder. They are perfect for rooms with a temperature of 16 to 20 degrees C.

Designed to be used with only a bottom sheet, sleeping bags replace traditional bedding, which can be kicked off or end up over baby’s face. They are safe for babies of 7lb (3.2 kilos) or more in weight.

One size fits 0 to 12 months, price £44.99.

For more information see Babyetc.co.uk or call 0844 888 7818.

Baby Boom to follow Bust

How do people entertain themselves in a recession?

New baby web store, Baby etc, plans to cash in on the baby boom which its directors predict will follow in the current economic climate.

The company is targeting its Marketing activity at mums and dads buying essential equipment in anticipation of their credit crunch newborns. Launched this autumn, the company sets itself apart from online competition by providing a free shopping list for new mums and dads, as well as advice for parents and gift buyers on how to select key products such as cots, clothing and pushchairs.

"Making love is one of the few forms of entertainment that’s completely free, so there’s nothing like a recession to boost people’s love lives.” says Director, Marianne Wilson. “And when junior comes along, Mum and Dad are looking for free advice and great value baby essentials, both of which we can provide.”

Baby etc plans to price keenly to meet customer expectations in the current economic climate, and endeavours to be cheaper than other well known sites.

For more information see www.babyetc.co.uk or call 0844 888 7818.