Safe co-sleeping when mom is not breastfeeding

PhD and highly acclaimed archaeologist James McKenna mentions the importance of co-sleeping or bed-sharing even if a mother is not directly breastfeeding her child.
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Safe co-sleeping when mom is not breastfeeding

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Generally, I recommend that if you are not breastfeeding or cannot breastfeed, then a very safe way to co-sleep is practice what I call, separate surface co-sleeping. There are bassinets that connect to the bed. There are even little bassinets that are on wheels by the bed. As long as you are within sensory proximity of that baby, that baby is benefiting from your presence, and you are able to detect changes in that baby's body. While bed sharing is the most intimate form of co-sleeping and tends to maximize breastfeeding. It is always safe and always beneficial to have that baby sleeping along side your bed in a structured and/or separate surface.
BABY, Babies and Sleep, Co-Sleeping

PhD and highly acclaimed archaeologist James McKenna mentions the importance of co-sleeping or bed-sharing even if a mother is not directly breastfeeding her child.

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James McKenna, PhD

Anthropologist & Author

Professor James J. McKenna is recognized as the world’s leading authority on mother-infant co-sleeping, in relationship to breastfeeding and SIDS. In recognition of his work in 2009 he was admitted as a Fellow into the select body of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's most prestigious scientific society. That same year and in recognition of his extensive work with television, radio, and print media he received from the American Anthropological Association the “2008 Anthropology In The Media Award” one of the top three awards presented to anthropologists by the association in recognition of his distinguished work in educating the public to the importance of anthropological concepts. He received his undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1970, his Master's Degree from San Diego State University in 1972, and his PhD in biological anthropology from the University of Oregon, Eugene, in 1975. Professor McKenna has published over 139 refereed scientific articles in diverse medical and anthropological journals on co-sleeping, breastfeeding, evolutionary medicine and SIDS, and both here and abroad he gives over 20 lectures especially to pediatric groups and parents. Here in the United States he remains one of the primary spokesperson to the media on issues pertaining to sleeping arrangements, nighttime breast-feeding and SIDS prevention. He has also published two monographs on SIDS and infant sleep, and co-edited two books:  Evolutionary Medicine and Evolutionary Medicine And Health: New Perspectives. His first trade book for parents was published in 2008 entitled: Sleeping With Your Baby: A Parents Guide To Co-Sleeping, and was recently translated and available in Spanish and Dutch.

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