Staunch naysayers include the American Association of Pediatrics.

One hospital study suggests that many cases of SIDS cases involved children sleeping in the same bed as adults. [Suspicious look]

Remember this sensationalistic ad campaign from the city of Milwaukee?

However, there are many advocates for co-sleeping. I know lots of you co-sleep with GREAT success.

Dr. Sears as well as many, many parents, say co-sleeping is actually healthier for babies because it helps regulate heartbeat, breathing, blood sugar and body temperature. It also incredible for family bonding.

Regardless though, everyone agrees that precautions must be taken to ensure everyone’s safety… particularly baby’s.

Here are five safety tips for co-sleeping:

1. Always place babies to sleep on their backs.
⇒ This ensures no obstruction to their airways.

2. Make sure the sleep surface is firm.
⇒ Avoid couches
⇒ Waterbeds
⇒ Billowy surfaces
⇒ Or placing the baby’s head on a pillow

3. Avoid heavy blankets, sheepskins or other fluffy materials and quilts.

4. Make sure there are no crevices or headboards in which the baby’s head can sink down into.

5. Avoid co-sleeping if you’re on sedatives, medications, drugs or have been drinking.

If you’re cosleeping or about to, follow these 5 simple precautions for a healthy night’s sleep for everyone!

—

Next, imagine, playing hide-and-go-seek in the Lincoln bedroom.

Being served food at your beck and call.

Having your own movie theatre and popcorn machine.

Sasha and Malia Obama must be having the best childhood ever living in the White House.

But not so fast.

[There are rules! And plenty of them.]

According to Michelle Obama, the girls have limited television and screen time.

NONE during the week – unless school related.

And only 2 hours on Friday.

3 on Saturdays.

And 3 on Sundays.

But that’s only if everything else is done, such as homework and chores.

Michelle Obama said they revoke screen time privileges at the blink of the eye.

[or should we say the “roll of the eyes,” which tweens are so good at]

Malia and Sasha’s technology privileges are revoked for:

Talking back
Not finishing their chores
Whining a little bit too much

But don’t feel bad for the girls.

During sleepovers with their friends, the rules go out the window.

There’s still plenty of fun to be had at the White House.

—

Now it’s time for some community news!

First up, natural mama Cati had a water birth with her baby Evie Mae at home on February 26th, at 8:26 am.

Now, Cati had two augmented and medicated births in the hospital.  While neither of them was “traumatic,” she longed to have a natural birth. It wasn’t until she was 20 weeks pregnant that she decided to do a homebirth with her ultra cool midwife with an English accent.

Since Cati and her husband Luke knew that they would meet with opposition, they decided NOT to tell their families about the homebirth. They didn’t need any added negativity!

And mamas, she had a beautiful, albeit NOT pain-free, birth that totaled 8 hours with only 3 minutes of pushing! Beats the 2 ½ hours from her first birth.

Cati, baby, hubby and family are happy as can be with their new bundle of joy. Congratulations to you Cati and Luke!

++

Next up, first time mama Lisa gave birth to her girl Eva Jolee-Ann on December 1, 2011. Her intention was to have a natural birth with NO interventions. She labored hard for six hours – she was crawling the walls and throwing up! They checked her for dilation… She was only 5cm. She had tried everything, the tub, massage, shower, birthing ball, but she couldn’t take the pain anymore.

Epidural time.

Since she lives in a small town, she had to wait three hours. She was still only 5 centimeters dilated so she was happy to get it and felt much better afterwards. But it did slow her contractions significantly… 12 hours later the doctor on call came in and she knew she was in trouble. He gave her 3 more hours to progress… or else a c-section. 

By God’s grace, when she was re-checked, she was 10 centimeters and ready to push! Three hours later her baby girl was out for a total of 28 hours of labor. By that time, Lisa’s epidural had worn off, which she was grateful for. She was also grateful for a nurse who told her not to increase the epidural strength, otherwise she’d really increase her chances for a c-section.

Her baby was born alert and ready to nurse. They’re breastfeeding and babywearing… even daddy is in on the fun!

Congratulations to you Lisa and family!

—
Finally, Mother’s Day is right around the corner.

And most mothers, whether they admit it or not, hope for a special day filled with love and admiration… cuz being a mom is all-consuming ,self-sacrificing and sometimes thankless work!

And what happens?

Sometimes, her brood lets her down… they either forget, minimize or gift her with something that… well… isn’t exactly what she had in mind.

So for any papas watching, here are the top 10 gift ideas mothers do NOT want to receive on Mother’s Day:

At number 10 — Old Easter Candy

We’re not mother hens – avoid the peeps

At number 9 — Fake Flowers

It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature!

#8 — Infomercial Products.

Please refrain from blankets with sleeves, the thigh master, or chia-pets.

#7 – Socks

News alert from Mother Jones – mother’s don’t want socks!

#6 — Anti-wrinkle cream

We already feel like Old Mother Hubbard; Don’t remind us!

#5 – Aprons

Please don’t remind us that we may very well be short-order cook.

#4 – Gifts that hint at her insecurities

Such as diet or fitness tapes, treadmills, or anything that screams FAT

At #3 – Lingerie

Not meaning to be Captain Obvious here, but Save it for Valentine’s Day.

#2 – Surprise Pets

Snakes, puppies, kitties…..this is the motherlode of bad ideas, please don’t give us anything else that requires more care!

And coming in at #1, nothing.

While material things aren’t what’s most important, please give us something to commemorate the day… even if it’s a sweet card with heartfelt sentiment.