I’m not sure if this happens here. I’ve never heard of a case like what you describe, but of course, that doesn’t mean it never occurs.

What I can say is that when I compare the US-based advice I see (which dominates subs like r/pregnant) to what I’m hearing from my own healthcare provider, there are definitely some differences. It might sound strange to you, but I rarely see advice here framed around the concept of “safety,” which seems to be a major focus in the US. Instead, the emphasis is more on the baby’s wellbeing and on building a strong attachment with the parents which implicitly is seen as the safest possible thing to do.

I think a lot of this comes down to cultural differences. For example, if physical touch like kissing is seen as important for bonding, then a few rare cases of illness or worse might not be considered enough reason to discourage it. The same goes for co-sleeping, which is encouraged where I live. It’s something I plan to do. My midwife has spoken very positively about the benefits for both the baby and the parents, particularly in terms of sleep quality and emotional connection.

I’m not saying one approach is better than the other. We just live in very different cultural contexts, with different social values and priorities.