WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE -
A Milwaukee mother is going to be sentenced for the death of her baby. She didn't mean to kill her daughter, and she doesn't remember doing it. Rose Prescott was drunk, and killed her baby while sleeping on top of her.
What's outrageous is two years ago Rose Prescott did the exact same thing to her other infant daughter. Her case and other have raised concerns about parents co-sleeping with their kids. Are those concerns justified or are good parents being given a bad rap.
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages bed sharing, recommending "infants not bed share during sleep."
Jim McKenna is one of the nation's leading academic experts on bed sharing. McKenna agrees bed sharing has its dangers. But his research shows there is one thing in particular separating the safe bed sharing parents from the rest. 100 percent of the cases in Milwaukee County -- all the babies were formula fed. McKenna predicted that, saying his research shows breastfeeding vitally affects both sleep patterns and sleep position.
Dr. McKenna is so convinced breastfeeding is the key to safe bed sharing, he would never recommend a parent bed share without it.
While most bed sharing deaths are not prosecuted in Wisconsin, that may change. The County Medical Examiner's office is part of a statewide child death review project. It's gathering data to determine what's really behind each baby's death which could lead to bed sharing becoming illegal.
While they disagree on whether bed sharing can be done safely, the Medical Examiner's office, the city of Milwaukee, Dr. McKenna, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Black Health Coalition all agree there are circumstances that aggravate the risk. That includes soft mattresses, heavy blankets and adult pillows in which a baby can easily suffocate. Also a danger. having other children in the bed, intoxicated adults who aren't aware they just rolled over, and sleeping in anything other than a bed.
What's outrageous is two years ago Rose Prescott did the exact same thing to her other infant daughter. Her case and other have raised concerns about parents co-sleeping with their kids. Are those concerns justified or are good parents being given a bad rap.
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages bed sharing, recommending "infants not bed share during sleep."
Jim McKenna is one of the nation's leading academic experts on bed sharing. McKenna agrees bed sharing has its dangers. But his research shows there is one thing in particular separating the safe bed sharing parents from the rest. 100 percent of the cases in Milwaukee County -- all the babies were formula fed. McKenna predicted that, saying his research shows breastfeeding vitally affects both sleep patterns and sleep position.
Dr. McKenna is so convinced breastfeeding is the key to safe bed sharing, he would never recommend a parent bed share without it.
While most bed sharing deaths are not prosecuted in Wisconsin, that may change. The County Medical Examiner's office is part of a statewide child death review project. It's gathering data to determine what's really behind each baby's death which could lead to bed sharing becoming illegal.
While they disagree on whether bed sharing can be done safely, the Medical Examiner's office, the city of Milwaukee, Dr. McKenna, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Black Health Coalition all agree there are circumstances that aggravate the risk. That includes soft mattresses, heavy blankets and adult pillows in which a baby can easily suffocate. Also a danger. having other children in the bed, intoxicated adults who aren't aware they just rolled over, and sleeping in anything other than a bed.
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