Mum who ignored ongoing advice and allowed her two children to sleep in her bed has had them taken away by a family court judge.
The boys, who are both under four, have been placed for adoption following the court proceedings, which began when authorities spotted bruises on them, reports The Telegraph.
Judge Peter Greene said the youngsters’ mother had failed to act on professionals’ advice against “co-sleeping” and continued to reject advice about feeding.
Professionals became concerned about the younger boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, after social workers had been told to supervise and support the family. Checks revealed bruises and a broken wrist when he was months old.
Social workers also said the children’s mother was “continually ignoring their advice against having him in bed with her” and rejecting advice about feeding.
In his conclusion, Judge Greene said litigation had begun after the older boy’s leg was bruised when he was a few months old.
He said that one child was unintentionally injured by his father’s use of “excessive force” and the other probably hurt as a result of the “rough, abrupt manner” in which he was handled by his mother.
He also concluded that the boys’ mother “was ignoring advice against co-sleeping”.
Judge Greene said evidence showed that the couple loved their children and would not deliberately hurt them. But he said evidence also showed the children’s mother “always thinks that she knows best”.
The judge said she was “brusque and physically forceful” with her children and dismissive of professionals.
He said he was concerned for the children’s safety and that adoption was the only realistic option.
SIDS and Kids recommend how to Sleep your Baby Safely:
1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2. Sleep baby with head and face uncovered
3. Keep baby smoke free before birth and after
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment night and day
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult caregiver for the first six to twelve months
How can I make co-sleeping safe? via Babycenter
Make sure your mattress is firm
Keep the bedding light and minimal
Never sleep on a sofa with your baby
Keep your baby warm, not hot, and dress him lightly for sleep
Don’t let your baby and toddler sleep next to each other in bed.
When is co-sleeping not safe?
Because of the increased risk of cot death, you shouldn’t co-sleep if:
•You or your partner smoke.
•Your baby was premature or had a low birth weight.
•You or your partner have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medication or drugs. This may affect your memory and you could forget that your baby is in your bed and roll over onto him. You may also sleep so soundly that you are unaware that you’ve rolled on to him.
•You are extremely tired, or have a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnoea. You may be in such a deep sleep that you don’t wake up if you roll onto your baby.
Share your comments below.
Related story: Mother charged with criminal homicide in the death of her two-month-old son.
Image shutterstock
We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
8:03 pm
10:10 pm
10:37 am
8:25 pm
3:01 pm
11:33 am
11:26 am
10:41 am
10:05 am
7:00 am
7:48 pm
7:24 pm
6:56 pm
5:09 pm
10:12 am