Co-sleeping behaviors in community parents: Implications for Child Protection

1. Co-sleeping behaviors in community parents: Implications for Child Protection Ayala Y. Gorodzinsky, Amy J. Majewski, Casey M. Mertens & W. Hobart Davies University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee • Results (continued) • The most commonly reported reasons for co-sleeping were: • to help child sleep better (36%) • child was sick (34%) • child was afraid (31%) • Approximately half of the parents (53%) reported being advised against co-sleeping with their child. • There was no significant effect of receiving advice against co-sleeping on the parents’ co-sleeping behaviors (φ = 0.06, p = 0.408). Most parents (67%) who were advised not to co-sleep reporting co-sleeping, and most parents (76%) who reported co-sleeping noted receiving no advice against the behavior. • Discussion and Future Research • Despite the fact that over half of the participants reported receiving advice against co-sleeping with their child, over two-thirds of parents reported co-sleeping with their child. • Future research should assess from whom parents receive advice against co-sleeping and if this alters parents’ likelihood to follow the advice. • Future campaigns should include more effective education from health care providers to parents regarding the possible consequences associated with co-sleeping behaviors, including death. These campaigns should also take into account cultural factors which may influence co-sleeping behaviors. • Introduction • Co-sleeping is defined as an infant or child sharing a bed with one or both caregivers (Goldberg & Keller, 2007). • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently deemed this practice as hazardous as it can be deadly. • Co-sleeping has been linked to numerous psychosocial implications for children such as decreased independence in daily living and social skills. • In a recent analysis, it was found that three-quarters of Milwaukee County babies who suffocated in their sleep or died of SIDS in 2007 and 2008 were sleeping with another individual at the time of death (Milwaukee County and Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin, 2010). • Despite the severe consequences and warnings from pediatricians, this practice continues. • This study assesses community parents co-sleeping behaviors as well as their opinions of the consequences for parents whose children have died while co-sleeping. Methods • Survey questions regarding co-sleeping included: • past or current co-sleeping patterns with their child • reason for co-sleeping behavior • if anyone had advised them not to co-sleep Participants • Parents (n = 225) of children aged 2 to 6 years (M = 4.03, SD = 1.42) were recruited by undergraduate students at a large Midwestern university to complete an online survey, including questions regarding co-sleeping. • Parents were between the ages of 18 and 55 years with the majority (73%) being mothers and most parents were currently married. • Participants predominantly self-reported as Caucasian (79%), followed by African-American (7%) and Latino/a (6%). • Results • The majority of parents (69%) reported that they have co-slept with their child, with 19% reporting co-sleeping over 100 times. • There were significantly more mothers who reported co-sleeping (74%) than fathers (57%; φ = 0.17, p = 0.017). • Individuals who self-identified as Caucasian (64%) were less likely to report co-sleeping than individuals who self-identified as another ethnicity (88%; φ = 0.21, p = 0.002). Location and Situation of Co-sleeping Behavior Correspondence to gorodzi2@uwm.edu