Infant bedsharing among low-income mothers in New York City: Prevalence, correlates, and added risks

While evidence of the hazards and benefits of infant bedsharing is mixed, little is known about bedsharing among low-income women in NYC. This study sought to characterize the prevalence of bedsharing and its correlates among WIC clients to develop a focused educational program. Mothers were interviewed at two WIC centers in English or Spanish (n=178). Questions assessed bedsharing practices during a baby's first three months, sources of information and attitudes about bedsharing, and demographics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of bedsharing, as well as behaviors linked to injury-related death. When asked about usual sleep locations, 19% of the mothers reported bedsharing at night and 10% during the day. In the bivariate analysis, no differences were found by race/ethnicity, education, other demographic or health-related variables. Women with a Cesarean were more likely to bedshare; 27% during the night and 18% during the day. In the multivariate analysis, no significant predictors of nighttime bedsharing were identified. Black race/ethnicity(AOR=5.2) and a Cesarean birth (AOR=3.6) were significant predictors of daytime bedsharing. Finally, the prevalence of maternal risks for infant mortality was examined. Among nighttime bedsharers, 25% were currently obese, 12% had smoked, and 9% had consumed alcohol in the last six months. Overall 41% of the nighttime bedsharers had one or more behavioral risks. While this study found limited evidence of demographic correlates with bedsharing, it did identify women with other behavioral risk factors---obesity, smoking, and drinking---whose infants may be at increased risk for suffocation or injury.