Part 1: Read the article and make at least two (2) thoughtful/reflective/inquisitive original comments and at least two (2) reactions to your classmates. Connect your comments to course material by using your textbook, course lectures and resources to help you make connections.

Question

Part 2: Answer the following prompt using a minimum of 100 words. Connect your prompt response to our course material. Use your textbook, course lectures and resources to help you make connections.Each connection must be cited properly. if you are citing information from our textbook, you will include the authors' last names and the page number (Example: Papalia & Martorell, p. 235). If you are citing information from one of the lectures, you should include the name of the lecture (Example: Cognitive Development in Early Childhood Lecture).

The article is Baby Sleep : How to bedshare if you really have to by Nalina Eggert

Answer 1

Part 1:

Comments:
1. Nalina Eggert’s article offers insight into the controversial topic of bed-sharing, highlighting the potential risks and benefits associated with the practice. It's interesting that while many health organizations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, advise against bed-sharing due to SIDS risks, cultural practices around the world support it as a norm for fostering parent-child bonding and facilitating breastfeeding (Eggert, X). This dichotomy between medical advice and cultural practices suggests a need for more nuanced, culturally sensitive guidelines that recognize the complex realities parents face in different contexts.

2. The emphasis on ensuring a safe sleep environment during bed-sharing aligns with the concept of risk reduction in public health. By identifying and mitigating factors that can increase the risk of harm, such as using firm mattresses, avoiding alcohol, and keeping pillows away from the baby, parents can be better informed to make safer choices (Eggert, X). This approach of harm reduction makes me reflect on broader public health strategies where abstinence may not be feasible, and realistic, safer alternatives are essential for effective intervention (Public Health Theory Lecture).

Reactions to Classmates:
1. I agree with your point about the cultural aspect of bed-sharing being often overlooked in Western medical advice. It reminds me of our discussions in class about cultural relativism. It's critical to consider and respect diverse parenting practices that may not align with mainstream healthcare advice but are deeply rooted in a family's cultural context (Cultural Sensitivity Lecture).

2. Your mention of the psychological benefits of bed-sharing for both the child and parent resonates with Bowlby’s attachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of proximity in developing secure attachments (Papalia & Martorell, p. 254). The reassurance and bonding time provided by bed-sharing can significantly contribute to a child's emotional development.

Part 2:
Prompt Response:
In the article "Baby Sleep: How to bedshare if you really have to" by Nalina Eggert, the author addresses the reality that, despite potential risks, some parents will choose to bed-share with their infants for a variety of reasons, including breastfeeding ease and cultural practices. The article suggests measures to make bed-sharing as safe as possible, such as removing pillows and blankets from the bed, using a firm mattress, and ensuring neither parent is under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Eggert, X). These recommendations align with the broader public health strategy of harm reduction, which accepts that while certain behaviors carry risks, these risks can be minimized through informed choices and safer practices (Public Health Theory Lecture).

The advice in the article makes me reflect on the importance of understanding the diverse contexts in which parenting decisions are made. In our coursework, we discussed Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, which posits that children's development is profoundly shaped by interactions with their social environment (Papalia & Martorell, p. 37). Bed-sharing is a clear example where cultural practices can dictate parenting choices. By acknowledging and respecting these practices, while providing guidelines to minimize risk, healthcare providers can offer support that is both effective and culturally sensitive.

Overall, this article underscores the need for a balanced approach in public health recommendations, one that considers scientific evidence and cultural context, aiming to educate and empower parents rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all stance.

References:
Papalia, D. E., & Martorell, G. (2021). Experience Human Development (14th ed.). McGraw Hill.
Eggert, N. (2023). Baby Sleep: How to bedshare if you really have to.
Public Health Theory Lecture. (2023).