– How does co sleeping cause SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)?
In: Biology
Research suggests it’s caused by inner ear damage or an under developed inner ear along with higher CO2 levels. The inner ear may be responsible for the “arousal response” which basically implies the ability to gasp for air. Too much CO2 and the inability to gasp for a breath causes the infant to die.
My family doctor told me co sleeping dangers are over blown because a small number of irresponsible people do it very unsafely. Don’t drink, don’t smoke, firm mattress on the floor, it’s really not dangerous. It’s how we evolved so babies love it.
Bed sharing, or co-sleeping is now proven to *not* be a risk for SIDS except under specific obvious circumstances. A parent insensate due to drugs or alcohol, or who is morbidly obese for example. And yes, there are simple ways to keep bed linens safe.
People here saying otherwise are wrong. Their information is out of date. They are repeating a myth.
It is tragic that one of the most normal, healthy and bonding ways humans have related to their babies since the dawn of our species has been interfered with by misinformation.
The SIDS myth is based on what is now understood to have been bad analysis of statistics, that were distorted by these specific issues. Remove them, and the added risk is none at all.
Obese, drunk, dead sleeper parents essentially suffocate their babies in the night by rolling on them, covering them with heavy blankets and sheets, pushing them into corners, etc.
It doesn’t. And I assume you mean bed sharing, as co-sleeping refers to sharing a room. In cultures where bed sharing is the norm, they actually have lower rates of SIDS.
Research doesn’t show this. There is not causal evidence
There are more studies that show benefits of co sleeping g when done safely (parent is not using drug or alcohol, etc.). A couple of benefits are parents recognizing baby in distress and this is possible due to more frequent arousal in both baby and parent (while sleeping at a distance or another room may not pick up on this… also may be prone to SIDS due to overly deep sleep)…. babies who cosleep also have easier access to food, and skin to skin contact, and better positions sleeping which may actually DECREASE SIDS
Not sure where your premise comes from that Sids is increased for co sleeping babies
Why do you think that it does? There’s no evidence that it does. You don’t need an explanation for something you can’t demonstrate happens.
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