What Do Pediatricians Tell Parents About Bed-Sharing?
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What Do Pediatricians Tell Parents About Bed-Sharing? Paula Schaeffer1 · Andrea G. Asnes1
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2017
Abstract Background and objectives Despite the risks of bed-sharing, little is known about what pediatricians tell parents about bed-sharing with infants and whether pediatricians provide specific recommendations outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This study aimed to understand pediatricians’ opinions about bedsharing and the advice pediatricians provide to parents about bed sharing. Methods The study employed a qualitative study design and the conceptual framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. 24 primary care pediatricians from a variety of practice settings were interviewed about the anticipatory guidance they provide to families whose infants are in the at-risk age group for SIDS. Results Pediatricians’ opinions about bed-sharing differed widely both with respect to identifying bed-sharing as a topic they routinely address in anticipatory guidance as well as in what they tell parents about bed sharing. Some strongly and routinely advise against bed-sharing and identify bed-sharing as a clear risk to infants. Others believe bed-sharing to be both safe and useful. A third group allow the content of anticipatory guidance to be driven by parental concerns. Most pediatricians are clearer in their recommendation to place infants supine to sleep than in their recommendation to avoid bed-sharing. Conclusions Overall, there is considerable variation among pediatricians in the advice they provide about bed-sharing, and most advice is not congruent with the AAP recommendations. Additional efforts to educate pediatricians may be necessary to change attitudes
* Paula Schaeffer [email protected] 1
Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, 1 Long Wharf Dr. Suite 130, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
and behaviors with respect to anticipatory guidance about safe sleep. Keywords Sudden infant death syndrome · Bed sharing · Infant safe sleep
Significance Statement What is already known on this subject? The Back to Sleep campaign has reduced SIDS by 50% since 1990. Sharing a bed with an adult is a known risk factor for infant death. Recent data suggest many parents still sleep in bed with their infants. What this study add? Despite both a clear recommendation against bed-sharing from the American Academy of Pediatrics and evidence that bed sharing is common, practicing pediatricians either fail to provide advice against bed-sharing or provide advice inconsistent with the recommendation not to bed share.
Introduction Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains the leading cause of post-neonatal infant mortality in the United States(Heron 2013) despite a 50% decline in rates since 1990 (Shapiro-Mendoza et al. 2009). This decline can be attributed to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations published in 1992, which identified the increased risk of death when infants are placed prone for sleep. Since the recommendations were published, the
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