Safe Infant Sleep

Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions

By: James J. McKenna PhD

Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Why do current medical guidelines insist that cosleeping is unsafe? What is the difference between SIDS and SUID, and are they related to cosleeping? What should parents do to make a safe sleep space for their infant? If a family chooses to cosleep, how should they respond to reproach from friends, family, or medical professionals?

In Safe Infant Sleep, the world's authority on cosleeping breaks down the complicated political and social aspects of sleep safety, exposes common misconceptions, and compares current recommendations to hard science. With the latest information on the abundant scientific benefits of cosleeping, Dr. James J. Mckenna informs listeners about the dangers of following over-simplified recommendations against the age-old practice, and encourages parents to trust their knowledge and instincts about what is and is not safe for their baby.

This book offers a range of options and safety tips for your family's ideal cosleeping arrangement. These include variations of roomsharing and bedsharing, and the book introduces the concept of "breastsleeping". This term, coined by Dr. McKenna himself, is based on the inherent biological connection between breastfeeding and infant sleep. An essential resource for both parents and professionals, this book teaches you how to confidently choose a safe sleeping arrangement as unique as your family.

©2020 James J. McKenna (P)2021 Tantor

Informative

Lately, I have felt that books on pregnancy and child care are filled with “fluff,” but this book is much better about getting to the facts, studies, etc. If I were to change one thing, I’d have him tell us how to bed share earlier in the book. I was getting frustrated, hearing the benefits but not knowing how to do it! However, he does get there, eventually.

Great information

I really enjoyed how the information was laud out in this book. A must read for anyone wanting to share a room or bed with their baby.

Best Book Ever

I loved this book. It has reassured me that my instincts were right and it guided me in how to set up a good sleeping place. Breastsleep is what came naturally to me and my baby. Everything else felt wrong and didn't really work. My mind is at ease and social pressure doesn't get to me anymore. And my baby is happy and didn't need to suffer to fit whatever society wants.

I can't thank Dr. McKenna enough for his contribution to humanity. He has singlehandedly improved my mental health.

A must read

So much practical information and research for bed sharing and breast-feeding moms. I would share with anyone looking to cosleep safely with a new baby!

The other side to the SIDS story

Dr. McKenna explains what mothers know to be true: that sleeping close to their infant is, in a word, right. He uses anthropology, biology, genetics and statistics to discredit the APA's harsh stance on bedsharing.
My only criticism of the book is not of the content, but the tone. It's defensive. I would have loved to have heard all the same information in a more positive light.

A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!!

As a first time parent I have read several books and would recommend this one as a top of your list of must reads. As a person that loves psychological and evidence based studies this one checks all of the boxes. Dr. James McKenna does a wonderful job of providing an objective approach and at the same time repeating the importance that every family and situation is different, there is no cookie cutter solution.

Easy read - Very well written!

Truly a great book to gain a different perspective on infant sleep. Well written and well narrated! Thank you, Audible; I’d like to see more books like this! So glad I read it before giving birth!

Great and informative read!!!

So thankful for this amazing resource that has evidence-based research to normalize and educate the public on how cosleeping/bedsharing can be done safely. This book has motivated me to speak up and try to help contribute to ending the stigma of this safe sleep practice since it's so often frowned upon in western culture.

Phew…Finally

I can’t say how much this audiobook made me finally feel relieved. I really thought I was absolutely crazy for having such strong instincts that were at the opposite of what people told me would be good for me…like “don’t keep your baby in your arms”, “you need to sleep train your baby as soon as possible”, etc… My baby is only 2 months old for crying out loud! Now I don’t feel ashamed to just enjoy him… Thank you Dr McKenna.

Evidence Based Practice for Infant Sleep

I appreciated how Dr McKenna explained infant sleep research in detail. He provides recommendations that are centered squarely on a foundation of research, not cultural norms or other biased approaches.