stopped breathing a couple of times in the infant ICU, the doctors recommended that we let him sleep with us on our waterbed because the theory was that the jostling of mom and dad would keep 'reminding' him to take a breath.

They did warn us that if either of us was a drinker or took sleeping pills we should not co-sleep because the automatic reactions, even when asleep, to not roll over on our baby would not be working if we were under the influence.

My doctor suggested I put a cradle next to my bed - which I did - and sleep with my hand on his back so I could feel him breathing. I did that, also (and yeah, I'm pretty sure I didn't actually sleep at night for three months).

I asked about sleeping with him and they told me absolutely not. I guess it varies by physician.

Personally, I don't think it's a good idea - too easy to not notice that you've rolled into or onto the infant, especially when you are as sleep-deprived as new parents can be, which I suspect can defeat that "automatic response". (Study on cosleeping - http://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b3666) Too easy to have a pillow or blanket shift while you're sleeping - how many times do we wake up with a pillow on the floor or halfway down the bed or the blankets twisted almost in knots? I guess some folks never move, but I think most people do.

Medical advice seems to cycle, especially when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing.

and I don't know how various family issues play into it.

I'm glad to read something about positive values associated with it.

One of the lines that comes up regularly in discussion of this topic is a story from 09 about 3 co-sleeping deaths occurred within members of the same famil (not associated with the same non-infant).

One of the horrible implied messages is that its infanticide flying under the legal radar.

That is, if docs can even come to a consensus on what's best and not change it in a year or two. I kept my infant in a bassinet near our bed with a SIDS monitor under him for extra protection. That seems to me to provide the same benefits as co-sleeping without the risks. When my husband even naps in a recliner, he sleeps so deeply that you could even throw things at him and not wake him.

so I understand how trust in information might be undermined.

For me, I don't know anything about why people might choose co-sleeping, I suspect it's that way for the republicans who have initiated this legislation.

One is the "crunchy" parents (i.e. the type who eat granola) who embrace natural and attachment parenting methods. (I consider myself semi-crunchy.) The other is impoverished parents who might not have money or space for a crib.

but I don't know. It's not clearto me if in households where the deaths occur there have usually been cribs/cradles.

their first formative months sleeping in a drawer, padded with clothing covered by a pillow case? A fair few, I think. Poverty is probably a component, though, whether or not they have a place for the infant to sleep. It would be interesting to see what the SIDS/co-sleeping statistics are - if they are kept - for nations with a higher percentage of the population living in poverty.

limiting drunk or high behavior that causes harm to only sleeping seems weird.

I just looked and saw that reckless or intentional physical harm to a childe are class H and class F felony (10k to 25k dollars and or 6 to 12 years in jail

I suppose a person could argue under existing law unintentional physical harm while impaired might in somemanner be qualify as reckless and thereby not be available for prosecution.

I'm not a lawyer so I don't know if legal practice created that kind of gap.

... which is furniture. Infants get caught between a mattress and bed frame, or suffocate in pillows or blankets.

We need better education. Co-sleeping can be done safely.

That sounds like an important thing to understand to reduce the risks

I do know someone who rolled over on her newborn. They were debating on filing charges, but I don't think they will.

because I brought all three of my girls into bed with me at night to nurse and sometimes I fell back asleep, albeit light sleep. Of course, I wasn't drunk which is probably what causes the problem here. I think most moms who aren't comatose are very aware of where their baby is.

Another thing from that article that is different from when my kids were little -- I was told to lay the babies on their stomachs rather than their backs so that if they spit up they wouldn't aspirate it. Different times, I guess. They all grew up fine and healthy, so I guess I didn't f*** up too bad.

However, though, if the studies are indeed accurate, then it may unfortunately be quite possible that a few of these people may not be motivated because of safety risks, but rather, out of bigotry.....