"The Anthropology of sharing a bed with your baby."

"Baby sleep research at the parent infant sleep lab at Durham University."
A white baby, a few months old, mouths a fist while lying down and ogling the camera.
Two blue straps circle their torso, with attached wires trailing offscreen.

Professor Ball explains that many parents do find they will be "accidently" bed sharing with their breast fed baby because it's easier to care for the baby in bed during the intensive night feeding phrase. Parents are not however admitting it publicly. "Parents are frightened to talk to health professionals in some instances and this is one of the things that shuts down he transmission of information on how to do it safely." 

Many of us will admit they slept with the baby in the bed at least once and I am hoping all of us know what makes it safe. 

• No drugs, alcohol or cigarettes to be consumed (or have been consumed) by anyone in the bed.
• Do not swaddle the baby, it must be free to move so it doesn't get stuck anywhere in the bed.
• The bed must be a proper firm mattress, not a couch or a folding bed.
• If your baby was small at birth or born early (before 37 weeks) bed sharing is not recommended.

"The Anthropology of sharing a bed with your baby."

What professional recommendations have you received on baby sleep? Have your providers been supportive of your choices?

In cahoots,
~Sasha