Have you seen the Milwaukee Department of Health Ads to “Wake Parents Up to Dangers of Co-Sleeping?”

If you haven’t let me show them to you. (images from press release)

The campaign is designed to warn parents of the dangers of co-sleeping and sites the rising infant mortality rate in their area and the increased incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).  So I thought, why not look at this campaign fuller, after all the news doesn’t (and can’t) tell you every thing.

The Health Department goes on to add “safe sleeping tips”  like:

• Put baby to sleep on their back. Babies who sleep on their backs are safer.
• Place your baby in a crib.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett told ABC News  

“If the ads make some people uncomfortable, I guarantee it’s a lot less uncomfortable than having another baby die from co-sleeping,” a cause of death that is “so preventable,” he added.

Is this campaign really serious?  I admit I’ve never been all “up in arms” about co-sleeping but I also admit that all four of my children have co-slept.  No, not every night all the time, but yes co-sleeping in my bed, following all the safe procedures that are told to parents by prominent doctors and other professionals.

There is plenty of research to indicate that co-sleeping is actually healthier for your baby and reduces the risk of SIDS.  World renowned pediatrician and doctor Robert Sears website lists many studies and research that shows that co-sleeping can be healthful – not hurtful to your infant such as:

•  Safer than crib sleeping

• Decreases risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Yes, some families co-sleep as a matter of economics.  Other families co-sleep because of the benefits.

My thoughts, (if anyone cares) is that if the City of Milwaukee wants to lower infant mortality rates why not educate their citizens?  With the money spent on this campaign why not provide health and parenting workshops. Bring in experts to talk about how to safely co-sleep.  But not just co-sleeping information should be provided.  What about providing for some basic classes caring for a newborn?

More importantly why not start and assist it’s citizens with a “Stop Smoking” campaign, even getting rid of second hand smoke can help greatly reduce the risks of SIDS?

Why not start a “No drinking” campaign, after all parents smoking, using drugs or alcohol and co-sleeping are at greater risk or injuring their infant?

But wait, this is Milwaukee, we wouldn’t want to anger anyone like oh . . . a brewing company.

What do you think? To co-sleep or not co-sleep that is the question.  Do you think co-sleeping as dangerous as this health department is reporting it to be? Did your children co-sleep?