Co-sleeping and SIDS

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Austin American-Statesman
Category: Health
Level: National
This article is concerning an issue that individuals/families face.

This is important for individuals and families because SIDS can affect anyone. Knowing the risks, one of them being co-sleeping, and how to reduce those risks can save the life of an infant. It is important to raise awareness so that families may better protect their infants from SIDS.

My views:
SIDS is dangerous and can affect anyone. I appreciate that this article is raising awareness for SIDS as it is related to common family practices. Co-sleeping is pretty common and is seen as a way to better bond with the baby. However, some may not know that sleeping in the same bed as an infant may cause them harm. These annual studies are a good way to track risky sleep practices which could indicate awareness, or lack of awareness, of SIDS. Because we can't make a law that says infants are not allowed to sleep in the same bed as their parents or siblings, as if we could even enforce it, raising awareness and spreading knowledge is our best bet at reducing the number of infants that die of SIDS. It is the responsibility of the family to ensure they are practicing safe sleeping habits as well as reducing other risks for their baby. There are alternatives to co-sleeping, such as crib attachment that can attach to the side of your bed that gives the infant their own space, that still offer the convenience of sleeping with your baby, especially for those mothers who are breastfeeding. Everyone should know about these other options as well as other things they may be able to do to reduce their infants risk of SIDS.