kzyndarn

This has nothing to do with "culture". Like I said before, people can and will do what they want. I do think however new parents should be educated on the risks of co-sleeping. Let them know the real dangers of it. They'll do what they want anyway. I have just heard parents in agony telling their brain dead infant to "breath baby, breath" during brain death studies. My children did not sleep with me (and this was before I was a PICU RN) and they are happy and fine. It's a choice, just like many choices we make as parents. We live with the choices we make.

I don't know the studies, but I do have alot of experience going thru brain death criteria with babies that have slept with parents. It is always a devastating experience for the parents and staff. What's worse that it is completely preventable. People can do or say what they want. I would recommend to anyone not to sleep with their infant. Karen PICU RN

Hello, I work in the PICU and deal with dying children and grieving families frequently. There is no easy answer and it is a situation where it is not for us to decide what is right or wrong for the parents to do. You have to remember they are not educated in the medical field, so they see thing so differently. My priority is making the patient comfortable and being there for the patient and family as I see best. Make sure everyones needs are met and the family is made available the resourses they need. We have had many parents that did the same, ie didn't come to visit, etc. If this baby was in the NICU after birth for a long period of time, we see this alot. It is weird and hard to accept. We have had kids die here without family and we all take turns holding the children so they won't be alone when they die. It is a hard job, but the kids have us..and I know that makes a difference. Take care, Karen