Mattress cover to prevent SIDS

[puppies]

MIL found that in NZ they don't have any SIDS deaths because of this plastic mattress cover that they use. Its something I am thinking of getting. Wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this. here is the link.

Totalbaby - Cot Death Prevention.

[~clover~]

IME there are so many things that can cause SIDS. My MIL lost her DS at 3 months. I won't want to go into it, but a plastic sheet wouldn't have helped.
I have however always had a mattress protector under my babies sheets.
Its sounds like a great idea, as long as everyone still follows the guidelines that are set in place now as well.

[Indadhanu]

I *think* that they say a matress cover helps prevent SIDS as there may be dust/allergins in the mattress which affect the babies airway (this is something that they believe can contribute to SIDS).

(Ok, I just read the site and this is what they are saying)

However I think... well doesn't EVERYONES mattress get like that? Not everyone has a plastic sheet cover, and not all babies die from SIDS... so it can't be as simple as popping on a plastic sheet to prevent SIDS. There are obviously a number of things that contribute, I mean the theory is there and everything, and I guess its worth a try as long as it wasn't dangerous, but I definaetly wouldn't use it and not do other SIDS prevention like sleep safe, cot positioning, etc.

[Arimeh]

TBH - and this could just be the cynic in me - but I just find it a ploy that is playing on people's emotions and fears to make someone a crap load of money.

Nobody actually KNOWS what causes SIDS. Its a mystery. Thats why there are so many recommendations to try to avoid it happening, because a baby dies from one thing, and they can't find a physical cause of death, so they point it towards the environment, yup thats another one to avoid.

I wouldn't buy it cos like Leasha said - if it was just the mattresses that was to blame - there would be a crapload more babies dying of SIDS cos the fair majority of the world sleeps of mattresses.

JMO of course.

[Pandora]

*Im not recommending these products, I have never used one*

OK that bits over!

I think its no so much that the mattresses "get like that", though i do know that the current recommendation is for a new mattress per child.

What i do know is that mattress can, and are sometimes sold before they have been cured properly, and gases etc can leak out causing health issues. I think from memory thats what this NZ doctor is talking about (I looked in to these wraps when I was pg with DS)

I know 1 adult who had this problem with her QS mattress, and it wasnt figured out that that was the problem until 3 weeks of trips to the doctors with chronic headaches, dizziness and other illnesses. Eventually they got the mattress tested and it was found to be the cause.

[Astrid]

I think its no so much that the mattresses "get like that", though i do know that the current recommendation is for a new mattress per child.

That recommendation has changed, but it is a handy excuse if someone is offering you a really awful 2nd hand mattress

http://www.sidsandkids.org/documents...nStatement.pdf

There has been recent media attention in relation to a theory that there may be a link between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Recent media reports have been warning parents not to re-use cot mattresses in the belief that S. aureus in foam mattresses is the trigger behind 50% of cot deaths.
SIDS and Kids has reviewed the research to date and has found that there is no evidence to show that there is an increased risk of SIDS for babies who sleep on their back and on a firm, clean, well fitting mattress that is in good condition.