Swedish healthcare workers hesitate to discuss co-sleeping with new parents. This comes as national health authorities review their official recommendations. Co-sleeping helps mothers breastfeed more easily. Yet it also raises concerns about sudden infant death.
Approximately 100,000 babies are born in Sweden each year. About 13 die unexpectedly during sleep before turning one. Sudden infant death remains rare in Sweden. Each case represents one too many.
The National Board of Health and Welfare provides sleep guidance to all parents. Their advice aims to reduce infant mortality rates. Officials now examine whether current recommendations need updating.
Co-sleeping creates a difficult balance for Swedish healthcare providers. They want to support breastfeeding while ensuring infant safety. This leaves many nurses uncertain about what advice to give parents.
Healthcare professionals appear caught between competing priorities. They recognize co-sleeping benefits for breastfeeding mothers. Yet they worry about potential risks to infants. This tension explains their reluctance to discuss the topic openly.