I love a good discussion.
Steve writes:
"While it is true that the vast majority of
people around the world co-sleep, this is usually out of necessity and not
choice."
While in some cases this may be true - my understanding from reading and
emailing people in other parts of the world is that is a "cultural" thing -
this is where babies are expected to be, after all, they don't take up a
heck of a lot of space so you can easily fit them in whatever room, or
corner of a room that you like.
Steve also writes:
"the vast majority of my patients who have kids in the bed express utter
frustration
at their inability to get a decent night's sleep, the lack of privacy, and
do not find it a rewarding or enjoyable experience."
Like all issues, you're going to hear about the people that find it a
problem. People are not going to tell their peds about something that they
are doing that works fine for them, that they don't want to change or have
judged - and parents are pretty good at telling what their peds will
disapprove of.
To G Barden:
Cars didn't have any seat belts when I was a kid either. Mom would swing
her right arm across the front seat to keep me and the grocery bags from
hitting the dashboard when she used the brake. They've studied cars and
make them safer - no reason not to expect the same for traditional bedding
and co-sleeping.
Things to think about:
-Its easier to accept the way a subject has been studied if you agree with
the conclusion.
-Sleep "problems" are a chapter issue for pediatricians [there's a chapter
devoted to them in the peds books] - if the current US system works so darn
good why are there so many problems associated with it?
and finally - Pork and Sauerkraut:
I grew up in New England and came to PA Dutch Country in my 20's. My mother
in law grew up in PA Dutch Country and had been here all her life. Culture
shock occured on our first New Years together. In PA Dutch country it's
traditional to have pork and sauerkraut for the daytime meal on new years
day to give the family good luck and prosperity. {It's actually quite good}
My mother in law was astounded to find out that not only didn't I have pork
and sauerkraut every new years - I hadn't even heard of it!
When ever I come across a cultural issue where it's so hard for people to
see any way but THEIR cultural way as being "right", I think of my dear
mother in law and her pork and sauerkaut.
Gail
Gail S. Hertz, MD, IBCLC
Resident, Dept. of Pediatrics
PSGHS Children's Hospital
Hershey PA