Book Review- Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Co-sleeping Questions
Author: James J McKenna
Publisher: Platypus Media, USA, 2020
Reviewers: Sarah Hudson & Katie Fourie
Sharing a sleep surface with your baby is, and has been, the biologically normal way for babies to sleep. In this book, Dr James McKenna introduces the term ‘breastsleeping’ and puts together decades of research on parent-infant sleep. With a background in biological anthropology Dr McKenna explains the biological basis for human infants to need to be in constant physical proximity with a carer and how this conflicts with the values of Westernised societies which has historically promoted independence at all costs. He shares his observations of the impact of cultural ideology on public health messaging and highlights the issues around the interpretation of the research. While acknowledging that “no sleeping arrangement guarantees full protection” McKenna reassures new parents that elective bedsharing (as opposed to unplanned or ‘chaotic’ as he puts it) is the safest form of bedsharing. McKenna also notes that regardless of how an infant is fed, whether breastfed, mixed fed or formula fed, parents and infants benefit emotionally, physically, and psychologically from remaining in close proximity throughout the day and night.
The book is broken into short chapters some of which, e.g. when explaining very specific research technicalities, can be a little heavy going at times. It is written in a conversational tone with his own experience of navigating this area as a parent trying to reconcile his academic knowledge, his intuition as a parent, and the conflicting messages he received from health professionals along the way. He includes a series of schematics and diagrams that make seemingly abstract concepts easy to understand. The book is well-referenced and there is a section full of resources and further reading for those who are interested in learning more. There is also an appendix of anti-bedsharing campaign posters which were absolutely heart-breaking to look at.
Safe Infant Sleep is a must read for all parents and anyone working with families with young children. It contains essential information that will help to counter the multitude of sleep books that lead new parents to doubt their intuition. It aligns well with the La Leche League philosophies and indeed, provides a scientific basis for parental behaviour promoting breastfeeding and loving parenting during the night as well as the day. We highly recommend this book for group libraries.
Compiled by Katie Fourie, BRC 2021.
Making More Milk, Second Edition
The second edition of Making More Milk by Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC and Diana West, BA, IBCLC is now in stock. Get it here
New Board and Management for La Leche League New Zealand
A new era for La Leche League New Zealand (LLLNZ) has started with the separation of governance and management. A new Board was announced on Saturday at the Annual General Meeting held in Auckland.
Earlier this year, members voted in a new constitution requiring board members to be elected by the whole membership. Previous boards have been made up of people in specific roles, who have been chosen by smaller internal groups. The new system is more open and democratic, and greater engagement from the membership in the work of the board is expected, according to outgoing Director, Janine Pinkham.
“We realised we needed this change because governing and managing need different perspectives,” said Janine. She added, “the old structure was inflexible and the workload for volunteers, doing it all, was too great.”
As a result of the new structure two key positions have been created; national coordinator and board chair. Previous Director, Janine, has been appointed as the Acting National Coordinator. Long term volunteer Janet McClean was elected as Board Chair at the first meeting of the new governance board on Saturday.
“It’s a great privilege to become the first Board Chair of the new era, and I’m delighted to be working with the new board members. We’re looking forward to taking La Leche League NZ into the future on a stronger footing,” said Janet.
While the board has changed it is business as usual for the rest of the organisation. Volunteer La Leche League Leaders are available around the country to help families seeking information and support for breastfeeding.
Contact information:
National Coordinator – Janine Pinkham, M: 027 226 9930, E: nc@lalecheleague.org.nz
Board Chair – Janet McClean, M: 027 321 8940, E: boardchair@lalecheleague.org.nz
Office Administrator – Kirsty Mos, T: 04 978 7113, E: administrator@lalecheleague.org.nz,
A: PO Box 50780 Porirua 5240, W: lalecheleague.org.nz