Sleeping together isnt the way to show love says Turia

Mothers sleeping together with their baby need to show love in other ways says Te Tai Hauauru MP, Tariana Turia.

“While we of course understand how parents love to be as close with their newborn baby as they can, the risks are just too high” said Mrs Turia.

“It is important that mothers who share their beds with their babies should be aware of situations where a baby is unsafe” said Mrs Turia.

“The advice from paediatricians is well worth listening to. Every child needs to have the very best start in life so while we may not like being told what we should do, it is important for all whanau to be vigilant in the interests of children and particularly babies”.

“I am particularly keen to promote ‘safe sleep’ after learning that Whanganui has the highest death rate from incidences resulting in death of a child” said Mrs Turia.

Whanganui paediatrician, Dr David Montgomery, says Whanganui has the highest death rate in infants of this age in the country.

“Having heard the grief from mothers where babies have smothered, it is a salutary learning for us all who have slept with our babies. The message is ‘kia tupato’