More than half of cot deaths occur when a baby is sleeping with a parent, with drinking or drug-taking by the adult a likely contributory factor, a study suggests.
An analysis of all unexpected infant deaths, from birth to two years old, in a four-year period in the South West showed that the majority occurred when a parent was with the child, often asleep on the sofa…
Here is the full article Times Online (14 October 2009)
I know someone who sadly this happened to recently. The husband was very tired (as normal with a new born) and had a few drinks. He fell asleep on the sofa with his five week old baby on him. Sadly the baby died. It was a complete tragedy.
However there are a few of my friends (and many mums) who do co-sleep with their babies, in bed, in a planned and safe way. The babies are generally by their mothers, on the outside of the bed. This has been happening for generations, in all countries.
I think the important message to get across, regardless of socio-economic group, is do not cosleep with your baby if you have been drinking/smoking and do not sleep on sofas with babies.
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