NICE CG194 [postnatal care] covers.

Smoking cessation advice.

Discuss with parents safer practices for bed sharing:

• making sure the baby sleeps on a firm, flat mattress, lying face up (rather than face down or on their side)
• not sleeping on a sofa or chair with the baby
• not having pillows or duvets [bumpers etc] near the baby

“Strongly advise” parents not to share a bed with their baby if:

• baby was low birth weight, 
• or if either parent:
  • has had 2 or more units of alcohol [not zero tolerance! Interesting…]
  • smokes
  • has taken medicine that causes drowsiness
  • has used recreational drugs.

And that’s it!!!

Note that the word “risk” is not used, just association!  Boys as being at higher risk not mentioned!

PreBotzinger complex (preBotC) is a multi-functional neuronal network that is critically involved in the response to hypoxic and hypercapnic challenges.

Note increased brain oxygen requirement during “active sleep” cf quiet sleep.  Only apparent between 2 weeks and 5 months.  [Horne 2014].

Dutch recommendations include: (a) pre-term neonates born after 32 weeks should be placed in a supine position; (b) twins should not sleep in the same bed (‘co-bedding’); (c) use of a pacifier is recommended once breastfeeding is well underway; and (d) use of stabilization pillows is not recommended [PMID 23425715]