Opponents of bed sharing point to the safety hazards of adult beds, including the danger of falls or suffocation. Advocates say that the practice allows for easier breast feeding, makes for a stronger parent-child bond and means parents have to get up less often during the night to tend to a fussy baby. Some claim the practice even leads to more self-confident, independent children. "We found that in families who shared a bed, the children later rated themselves as more independent and loving than children who had slept alone," says Maria Goodavage, co-author of Good Nights, a primer on the safe and healthy family bed. "Those kids were also less prone to peer pressure." Although many parents worry that they might roll over onto a sleeping baby, Goodavage says this is rare and usually happens only if a parent is drunk or taking medications.
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But if you're going to share your bed with Baby, some precautions should be taken:
The mattress should be firm. Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or a water bed.
Make sure there is no space between the mattress and headboard because a baby's small head could slip between them. Cram any spaces and crevices with towels, and check them nightly.
Use only light blankets — never a duvet or a poufy quilt that could cover a baby's nose and stifle breathing.
You can find more information on safe bed sharing on the Web at www.familybed.com
DINING TRENDS
From Martinis To Mojitos
"Traditions of Spanish & Latin Flavors" was the topic at a recent three-day conference given by the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in California. It was another sign that Nuevo Latino dining has become more than just a hot scene and is starting to get culinary respect. Foodies are flocking to haute Latin spots like New York City's Puerto Rican — inspired Jimmy's Downtown. And Argentine chef Guillermo Pernot won two 2002 James Beard Awards (the Oscars of the food world) for his creations at Pasion! in Philadelphia.
Flying Free — for a Fee
Airline customers are getting used to being charged extra for everything from paper tickets to onboard meals. But now the nickel-and-diming is reaching the last bastion of airline freebies: frequent-flyer flights.
Traditionally, frequent-flyer tickets are exempt from those nasty $100 fees for a last-minute change in schedule. In the fall American Airlines began imposing a $100 fee on AAdvantage members making changes on award tickets. American also charges $50 to $75 to "expedite" the processing of any award flight purchased within three weeks of travel. (The restriction used to be just two days.) Northwest and Continental Airlines have both increased by 5,000 the number of miles required to earn a free flight. Delta is making it tougher for bargain flyers to win "elite" status (which gives them perks like upgrades to first class); passengers traveling on discounted tickets now get only half as many points toward elite status as full-fare travelers. US Airways tried something similar but backed down when its frequent flyers balked. But the airline found another way to milk its best customers. It used to send free luggage tags identifying elite flyers. Now the tags cost $10.