Breastfeeding Without Bed-Sharing

Abstract

The AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing to reduce risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). The AAP also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months after birth, followed by the addition of complementary foods along with breastfeeding for at least a year, due to both maternal and infant health reasons, including a decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Healthy babies wake often to feed at night, and the majority of US mothers return to work well before the infant is 3 months of age, which can lead to exhaustion and increased import placed on sleep. Several studies have demonstrated that bed-sharing promotes breastfeeding, with the more bed-sharing, the longer the duration of breastfeeding; however, bed-sharing, particularly in certain circumstances, comes with substantial risk for a tragic event, namely, SUID. The question then becomes: Is it possible for mothers to successfully breastfeed without bed-sharing? In addition, if a mother is bed-sharing, how can we approach the conversation in a way that helps us understand the behaviors and practices such that we may be able to help mitigate risk? This chapter will highlight practical information and strategies to support breastfeeding, help identify babies at particular risk for sleep-related infant deaths, and counsel families on how to successfully breastfeed and keep their infant as safe as possible during sleep.