Wrapping a Crib Mattress?

[ufonium2]

I've heard that in New Zealand, wrapping crib mattresses (as well as bassinet and regular bed mattresses, wherever baby sleeps) in a certain type of plastic has drastically cut down on SIDS deaths. Anyone have experience doing this?

 

[Athaliamum]

I've not heard of it at all. I don't know if it is just me but wrapping something in plastic when my child is left there for large amounts of time on their own doesn't sound right.

I have however seen research that suggests second and third children are more likely to to die from SIDS. The believe it is because parents usually use the same mattress for subsequent babies and those mattress are usually filled with bacteria and dust mites that effect the airways of little children. They suggest a new mattress for each child.

You can however get mattresses that have their own protective thick plastic sewn into them which means any sick or leaks don't soak into the mattress because sometimes mattress protectors don't always work and which means they allow bacteria to grow in the mattress.

 

[SabrinaFair]

Crib wrapping is advocated in Britain also. Lots of recent research regarding it. It is interesting. There is a whole site dedicated to info on it.
http://www.cotlife2000.com/

and more info here:
http://www.prevent-sids.org/babesafe-mattress-wrapping-success.htm

 

[Linnis]

We have a crib mattress cover which is dust mite proof which is supposed to on top of back to sleep severely reduce the risk of SIDS.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

The only times I have seen cot wrapping advocated is when someone is trying to make money out of it.

 

[SabrinaFair]

There is a lot of needless stuff marketed out there to make money off the baby industry. lol. Like overpriced dirty diaper genies, and expensive bath tubs that get used 5 times, and walkers/door bouncers that over half my babies hated...

I'm thinking any parent who has a baby with sleep apnea, or has ever lost a baby to SIDS probably doesn't mind spending the $20-$30 on a mattress cover just incase the research is valid...

 

[Naomi4Christ]

What research?

 

[SabrinaFair]

The New Zealand stats are currently the best known source, and here is info on that- at the bottom of this article you will find a list of studies and research about it- those would be a good place to start if you are interested in getting more information.

http://www.hpakids.org/HTML/index.html?toxicgasesinmattresses.htm

 

[RoseofLima]

And it is my understanding that the mattress wrapping does not have to do with dust mites and such--but rather off gassing of the chemicals in the mattress.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Yep - it all seems about making money, based on fear and guilt, IMO.

 

[ufonium2]

Yep - it all seems about making money, based on fear and guilt, IMO.

How so? Most of the sites I've seen about it give instructions for wrapping your mattress with stuff you can get at a hardware store, in case you can't afford or don't have access to the commercial mattress wraps or wrapped mattresses (which we don't in the US, as far as I can tell). If you were just out to make money, would you tell people about cheaper alternatives to your product?

 

[Linnis]

And it is my understanding that the mattress wrapping does not have to do with dust mites and such--but rather off gassing of the chemicals in the mattress.

Oh. Well living with one asthmatic and the possibility of having another pretty soon removing as many dust mites and fibres which can be breathed in is pretty important to me.

Sorry if I was confused.

 

[Athene]

Yep - it all seems about making money, based on fear and guilt, IMO.

Doesn't really effect us though, all cot mattresses in the UK are wrapped in PVC. It makes them alot easier to clean.

 

[RoseofLima]

Oh. Well living with one asthmatic and the possibility of having another pretty soon removing as many dust mites and fibres which can be breathed in is pretty important to me.

Sorry if I was confused.

No-no--just the kind of mattress wrapping that I think the OP was referring to--the kind required by New Zealand law.

If I could afford it- I would dust mite proof all of my bedding, as I am pretty sure it is an allergy for me....but my symptoms are not severe enough to warrant the cost of all of that!

I think there are other mattress alternatives out there to--like particular foams, etc..... which are supposed to both eliminate the off gassing problem ,as well as the dust mites... I just wish it weren't all so expensive!