The City of Milwaukee Health Department, in this feisty mama’s opinion, clearly has employees working there with their heads up their asses.
This is a media campaign they have recently implemented to warn parents about the “dangers” of co-sleeping. Really??
Look, co-sleeping is a choice many parents make, and like any other parenting choice out there that a mother makes for the well being of her child, the state, city, government needs to stay the hell out of it.
The co-sleeping debate, and yes it’s a debate, is a heated one with experts on both sides being advocates for what they feel is best. When I had my son 7 years ago, I had no idea what c0-sleeping was, but discovered that my son slept better when he was beside me and we naturally progressed into co-sleeping full time because it ensured we all actually slept.
I did my research. I learned how to co-sleep safely. I learned what behaviors are risky when co-sleeping. I also researched crib-sleeping practices and what dangers lay in a crib with a sleeping baby. And then, I made the decision that was best for our family. For my kid.
I currently co-sleep with my third baby Everleigh and happily share our experience with others.
A campaign like this does nothing to educate parents on how to co-sleep safely. If anything it scares parents into doing something they may not want to do, and to do something that goes against their core insticnt when they feel that co-sleeping is best.
The City of Milwaukee Health department created a major faux pas with this campaign. And ensured that the city goes on my list of places I’d have no interest in visiting anytime soon.
Wow! Seriously is right! I hope that photo is photoshopped – I wouldn’t want my baby used in an ad like that, that close to a cleaver! And, yes, I agree with you, do your research, be safe, but do what is right for you.
You know, I really wonder though if this is in some response to some law suit because someone said that they had not been properly educated and blah blah blah… Do you know what I mean? Probably an over reaction to “something” that came down. Or “better to tell people to not do it at all rather than go through the effort to educate”.
I LOVE co-sleeping. I love having my baby by me and knowing that my baby is safe. When I tried putting my son in the crib, I was worried the whole time. What if he rolls over, what if he covers himself with a blanket?
I’m now co-sleeping with my 3m.o. girly. I love it. But she’s more adventurous than my son is and loves rolling around. I’m thinking it’s not so safe anymore. Not too sure where to place her, as my son occupies the crib now and we have no room for another crib…
I co-slept with my first daughter… and almost 4 years later, still do! Now that I have my second baby co-sleeping isn’t an option, because my (almost) 4 year old still sleeps with us. I HAD to co-sleep, she didn’t sleep well in her crib, and I was exhausted- all the time- now THAT’S dangerous!
Mom’s with new babies are on high alert, I don’t think my daughter was ever in danger… This ad STINKS!
Personally, I co-slept for a while and loved it. People have very strong opinions on parenting. I saw to each his/her own! What an absurd campaign, though. Surely they should have better things to spent their taxpayer’s money on!