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Relationship between bed sharing and breastfeeding: longitudinal, population-based analysis

Peter S Blair1, Jon Heron, Peter J Fleming

  • 1Department of Community-Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom. p.s.blair@bris.ac.uk

Pediatrics
|October 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Bed sharing patterns in children were identified, with constant and early bed sharers showing a stronger association with prolonged breastfeeding. This highlights the link between bed sharing and breastfeeding duration.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sociology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Bed sharing is a common infant sleep practice with varying cultural acceptance.
  • Understanding longitudinal patterns of bed sharing is crucial for parental guidance.
  • Previous research has explored bed sharing but often lacks long-term, population-based data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate longitudinal patterns of bed sharing from birth to four years.
  • To identify characteristics associated with different bed sharing patterns.
  • To examine the relationship between bed sharing patterns and breastfeeding duration.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, population-based study in the United Kingdom.
  • Data collected from 14,062 live births at five time points up to age four.
  • Latent class analysis used to identify distinct bed sharing groups.

Main Results:

  • Four bed sharing patterns identified: non-sharers (66%), early (13%), late (15%), and constant (6%).
  • Bed sharing groups showed slight increases in boy/girl ratio and nonwhite ethnicity.
  • All bed sharing patterns were significantly associated with breastfeeding at 12 months, with constant sharers having the highest odds (OR: 5.29).

Conclusions:

  • Bed sharing patterns are associated with breastfeeding duration.
  • Advice regarding bed sharing should consider its relationship with breastfeeding.
  • Further research can explore the nuances of these associations for evidence-based recommendations.
Abstract

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