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Matress Wrapping and SIDS
OK - a couple of friends of mine totally freaked me out about SIDS and how it may be prevented by this method called Matress Wrapping. I went to this website called Eve's Best and read up on it and at some other sites too, and have ordered the wrapping for our crib and bassinnet. I was just wondering if anyone else has used matress wrapping or looked into it and what are your thoughts on it.
I believe the scientists in New Zealand have found the major cause of SIDS, off-gassing from chemicals used in the fire retardant in the crib mattress. They came up with a product to block those chemicals, the BabeSafe mattress cover/wrap. It has been used for 20 years (this is the year 2022). New Zealand had the highest number of SIDS cases IN THE WORLD. There has not been a single case of SIDS of the babies who have slept on a properly wrapped mattress. New Zealand went from the highest number of SIDS cases in the world to ZERO cases with wrapped crib mattresses. The BabeSafe mattress cover is the only one they use. Those statistics have been consistent for 20 years. That makes me a believer. The results speak for themselves………Highest number in the world down to Zero. That is amazing! Invest in a BabeSafe mattress cover and follow the guidelines for the bedding to use in the crib. It certainly can’t hurt. It might safe your baby’s life.
Thank you. I had my 1st 8yrs ago in October and my pediatrician was mine when I was a baby and he never told me not to use bumper pads etc. I had asked him about sids and he always told me there was not a reason just numerous things it could be. My philosphy is the world is crazy you can do everything right and still you just never know once they go to school or become teens etc. You can't live in a bubble if you love your baby all you can do is go from there! Too much worrying is invested in things that are in your control use your head and common sense it's easy.......Thanks again!
AP
AP
AP is right - there is no specific cause for SIDS. It is still something that is not fully explainable and still being researched and most likely caused by many factors. So for now experts can only give risk factors that have been determined and possible prevention techniques.
Since there isnt one single proven cause for SIDS, just read up on the info and studies available, decide what you believe, and eliminate any risk factors that you can.
Since there isnt one single proven cause for SIDS, just read up on the info and studies available, decide what you believe, and eliminate any risk factors that you can.
I am a chemical engineer and I don't buy it. I think they just want to scare moms into buying a product. My father is also a PhD chemical engineer and he also said sounds a sales pitch. Among the many things I found non convincing or misleading in their website, was also the fact that they mention only supposed studies from over a decade ago!! Isn't there any new data to support this? I am assuming not ;)
In addition, many things can contribute to SIDS or be possible causes. Smoking in household or mothers who smoke, low birth weight babies, stomach sleeping, blanket or other things in crib not allowing baby to breathe, etc....
Go to the MayoClinic website and lookup SIDS. They list causes, risk factors, prevention techniquest, etc - none of which include anything about mattress contamination.
I wont wrap my mattress because I think it is important for air circulation. I also dont like those plastic bags that go around mattresses in case pee leaks from a diaper. My mom had those bed wetting pads on the crib mattress at her house and my DD was always sweaty when she woke up. We took it out, and it was much better.
Just like everything, every mom just has to do what she thinks is best. There are so many conflicting theories and moms are faced with so many decisions. Just do what you think is best.
In addition, many things can contribute to SIDS or be possible causes. Smoking in household or mothers who smoke, low birth weight babies, stomach sleeping, blanket or other things in crib not allowing baby to breathe, etc....
Go to the MayoClinic website and lookup SIDS. They list causes, risk factors, prevention techniquest, etc - none of which include anything about mattress contamination.
I wont wrap my mattress because I think it is important for air circulation. I also dont like those plastic bags that go around mattresses in case pee leaks from a diaper. My mom had those bed wetting pads on the crib mattress at her house and my DD was always sweaty when she woke up. We took it out, and it was much better.
Just like everything, every mom just has to do what she thinks is best. There are so many conflicting theories and moms are faced with so many decisions. Just do what you think is best.
I agree with everyone here... read up and make up your own mind... oh and pediatricians are human and have beliefs, hang-ups, biaises and experiences that permeate their judgment, like everyone else... some of them don't believe in anything considered not MEDICAL... ie they're fearful of anything that cannot be explained by numbers or charts... so their advise is often great but not in an "end-all, be-all" kinda way!
Follow your gut, it's the only way to go!
Follow your gut, it's the only way to go!
I was always uderstood that there is really never been anything proving the cause of SIDS. It could be a range of things that cause the death of the infant. Yes taking precautions can help lessen your chances but there is no reason sometimes why it happens. WE all slept in cribs and cradles that had matresses and we are okay. Like a few of you have said it's all your own personal opinion. Being a good mother begins with the love of your child then you grow and go from there!
AP
Ps fill me in if I missed something.......And again you can't always believe everything you read on the internet. Ask your pediatricians girls!
AP
Ps fill me in if I missed something.......And again you can't always believe everything you read on the internet. Ask your pediatricians girls!
What frustrates me the most is the american and british medical communities having this laundry list of things that seem to help reduce the risk, but no one willl put two and two together and say WHY these things work and what the cause is... You see it in journals everywhere---"researchers are not sure *why* placing a baby to sleep on it's back..." etc etc etc... No one wants to lose their research dollars by actually proclaiming an answer.
Mumita, as far as the breastfeeding, (from the off-gassing perspective) part of why that also "helps" is because breastfed babies are fed (therefore removed from their cribs) more frequently, and left for shorter periods of time among the gases.
They also say ceiling fans are good + no bumper----the APA says "uh, we're not sure why, we just know it helps..."... Off-gassing theory says "because you're helping the gases disperse instead of concentrating on the surface of the baby's bed."
Mumita, as far as the breastfeeding, (from the off-gassing perspective) part of why that also "helps" is because breastfed babies are fed (therefore removed from their cribs) more frequently, and left for shorter periods of time among the gases.
They also say ceiling fans are good + no bumper----the APA says "uh, we're not sure why, we just know it helps..."... Off-gassing theory says "because you're helping the gases disperse instead of concentrating on the surface of the baby's bed."
I have also read that breastfeeding your baby greatly reduces the chances of SIDS. I have read it in multiple articles and books.
Just wanted to add a little note---someone (i'm too tired to scroll up and see who) asked about why the bumper may or may not be recommended.
In the mattress-wrapping/off-gassing theory, it is said that bumpers may "trap" gases given off by a mattress, and hold them like a cup. This is because the gases are heavier than air and therefore do not "rise up" and air out and blend into the air of the room. They come off the mattress and lay there within an inch or two of the surface of the mattress becoming more and more concentrated if they have nowhere to escape.
This is why the medical community's recommendation for putting baby to sleep on their backs and using a pacifier has led to a reduction (but not elimination) of sids deaths in america---because putting a baby on their back to sleep keeps their faces further from the gases.
But if you properly wrap your baby's mattress in a non-gas-permeable wrap (like the Babesafe wrap), then this circumvents the concern and you can use a bumper.
Personally, it is the only theory out there that has ever held up, and the measures used to prevent it are the ONLY ones that have ever had a 100% success rate.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and it's everyone's responsibility to form their own. Personally, I think elimination of risk is the best thing to do. Buying a new mattress will not prevent sids, regardless of where it is made. Both the US and Europe use the same chemicals in mattress production that are involved in the toxic off-gassing in mattresses. I'll be wrapping my baby's mattress and using 100% organic cotton bedding. Period. The extra few bucks is worth it to me. I think the most vital part is the mattress wrap.
Anywhoooo... hope everyone's doing great :-)
In the mattress-wrapping/off-gassing theory, it is said that bumpers may "trap" gases given off by a mattress, and hold them like a cup. This is because the gases are heavier than air and therefore do not "rise up" and air out and blend into the air of the room. They come off the mattress and lay there within an inch or two of the surface of the mattress becoming more and more concentrated if they have nowhere to escape.
This is why the medical community's recommendation for putting baby to sleep on their backs and using a pacifier has led to a reduction (but not elimination) of sids deaths in america---because putting a baby on their back to sleep keeps their faces further from the gases.
But if you properly wrap your baby's mattress in a non-gas-permeable wrap (like the Babesafe wrap), then this circumvents the concern and you can use a bumper.
Personally, it is the only theory out there that has ever held up, and the measures used to prevent it are the ONLY ones that have ever had a 100% success rate.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and it's everyone's responsibility to form their own. Personally, I think elimination of risk is the best thing to do. Buying a new mattress will not prevent sids, regardless of where it is made. Both the US and Europe use the same chemicals in mattress production that are involved in the toxic off-gassing in mattresses. I'll be wrapping my baby's mattress and using 100% organic cotton bedding. Period. The extra few bucks is worth it to me. I think the most vital part is the mattress wrap.
Anywhoooo... hope everyone's doing great :-)
well, everyone has an idea of what to do and not do... some people will even tell you that they smoked during all of their pregnancies and their kids are the picture of perfect health!
So basically, you can't rely on someone else's perception to make you decisions...
As far as mattress wrapping is concerned, there is more and more research being done on that topic and I'm talking about scinetific, peer-reviewed empirical studies, not something out of People magazine (not that it's not a great magazine)... and they seem to all agree to the different toxins in the air and mattress/bedding of a newborn and the measures that can help increase air0flow in a baby's room and crib... so they do recommend to remove all the unnecessary junk that could limit air-flow, such as the bumper which is, on another note, a choking hazard in itself, pillows, stuffes animals, anything that can block air circulation...
In the end, follow your heart and gut and don't worry about what others think of you... you make your decisions and live with consequences, but in my personal case, I've always felt that SIDS was such a tragic and unexplained event, very traumatizing, that I would do everything in my power to try to avoid it... and if it still happens, I will know that at least I was aware of the risks and made all the right decisions to prevent it... but that's just me! I'm a worryer... my best friend isn't and she had a glass of wine every other wekk during her pregnancy... she never stressed about it and he boy came out perfect! What do doctors know she tells me!
So basically, you can't rely on someone else's perception to make you decisions...
As far as mattress wrapping is concerned, there is more and more research being done on that topic and I'm talking about scinetific, peer-reviewed empirical studies, not something out of People magazine (not that it's not a great magazine)... and they seem to all agree to the different toxins in the air and mattress/bedding of a newborn and the measures that can help increase air0flow in a baby's room and crib... so they do recommend to remove all the unnecessary junk that could limit air-flow, such as the bumper which is, on another note, a choking hazard in itself, pillows, stuffes animals, anything that can block air circulation...
In the end, follow your heart and gut and don't worry about what others think of you... you make your decisions and live with consequences, but in my personal case, I've always felt that SIDS was such a tragic and unexplained event, very traumatizing, that I would do everything in my power to try to avoid it... and if it still happens, I will know that at least I was aware of the risks and made all the right decisions to prevent it... but that's just me! I'm a worryer... my best friend isn't and she had a glass of wine every other wekk during her pregnancy... she never stressed about it and he boy came out perfect! What do doctors know she tells me!
Where have I been?! I didn't know ANY of this haha - the closer I get the more I find out I don't know! I guess I'll have to read on it!
I am not really worried about our mattress. We purchased a good mattress from a reputable company - and it was not made in china ;) but in Europe. In addition, the mattress has to breathe to better allow circulation. I dont think that wrapping it or even putting those plastic covers around are good for the air circulation.
We dont put bumper pads in the infants bed (originally with our daughter we did until we saw she once got her face up under it and then I decided it needed to come out. Nor do we have l lots of toys in the bed. Plus, until our daughter was 1.5, she used a wearable blanket - sleeping bag to avoid blanket comping up over her head.
We dont put bumper pads in the infants bed (originally with our daughter we did until we saw she once got her face up under it and then I decided it needed to come out. Nor do we have l lots of toys in the bed. Plus, until our daughter was 1.5, she used a wearable blanket - sleeping bag to avoid blanket comping up over her head.
pookie - I read about it on the stop sids website and on eve's best website. If you google those things you will get the info. Basically you wrap the mattress to keep harmful gases and byproducts from the mattress from being breathed in by your baby.
AP - thanks for the reassurance. i really feel like i could be over reacting, but then there's the whole better safe than sorry bit too. i am going to use the wraps, but i'm also going to use my bumper pads - i guess basically i'm just going to pick the things that make sense. And trust me - i hope the worrying part gets better - I just really want to be a good mom.
AP - thanks for the reassurance. i really feel like i could be over reacting, but then there's the whole better safe than sorry bit too. i am going to use the wraps, but i'm also going to use my bumper pads - i guess basically i'm just going to pick the things that make sense. And trust me - i hope the worrying part gets better - I just really want to be a good mom.
Ladybug- I have used bumper pads with all my kids and I will with this one too. The thing you need to make sure of is that the crib sheet fits perfectly. You don't want it to come undone that is what makes it dangerous. Also stuffed animals should be at the bottom of the crib. Pretty much have nothing around the face or mouth. In all my experience I have not had any problems just by following those simple steps. By the time you are having your 4th believe me the worries won't be there as much.
Isabella- I'm sorry for your friend's loss. That is so awful.
Isabella- I'm sorry for your friend's loss. That is so awful.
No bumper pads? I didn't know that they recommend that? Why is that? Just thinking out loud - is it bc baby could scoot up close to it and sufficate???
yup, I have a friend who lost a 3 month old to SIDS... let me tell you that I will be wrapping the crib mattress and the bassinette
I ordered it online and will be doing everything they advise, like organic cotton, no polyester, no lining, no bumber
these measures are especially important is you are using a hand-me-down mattress or the same mattress from previous babies (I've had my mattress for over 4 years from when my son was born)... that increases the chances of SIDS
good luck!
I ordered it online and will be doing everything they advise, like organic cotton, no polyester, no lining, no bumber
these measures are especially important is you are using a hand-me-down mattress or the same mattress from previous babies (I've had my mattress for over 4 years from when my son was born)... that increases the chances of SIDS
good luck!
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