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Continuing in the recent coverage of the possible
causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), this week we have some
interesting comments from TJ Sprott, the developer of the BabeSafe crib
mattress wrap and the author of "The Cot Death Cover-up" which
was published in New Zealand in 1996 and in Britain in 1997 (Penguin Books).
TJ Sprott: BabeSafe
has been 100% successful - not one crib death reported of a baby
sleeping on a BabeSafe cover, ever since the cover was marketed over five
years ago. BabeSafe covers are in very common use in New Zealand, especially
among the pakeha (Caucasian) ethnic group (81% of NZ population). Statement
by NZ Minister of Health about a year ago "We know that pakeha are
wrapping mattresses". Pakeha crib death is now described as "very
rare" by one prominent researcher. Unfortunately the Maori SIDS Prevention
Unit refuse to endorse mattress-wrapping (for obscure reasons) but even
so their CD rate has fallen markedly. However, while traditionally the
Maori CD rate was 4~5 times the pakeha rate, the pakeha rate has fallen
so far that Maori CD rate is 12~15 times pakeha!
Optimal Wellness Center:
A recent study showed that healthy infants tend to roll over into
the prone position (on their stomachs) more than rolling over onto their
backs (Early
Hum Dev 2000 Sep;59(3):151-8) What do you think of this finding?
TJ: The study is very
interesting and very important. Babies
can sleep safely in any position on a BabeSafe cover, because
the crib death risk is eliminated. Actually, I recommend side sleeping,
with the baby put down on alternate sides each time it is put down to
sleep.
OWC: If it is true
that healthy babies "want" to be on their stomachs, and we
are making all parents force the infants to sleep on their backs with
the current "Back to Sleep" campaign in the US, then do you
think that we may unintentionally be harming them by doing so?
TJ: This
unnatural advice IS doing babies harm. Have you looked into the
"flat head" problem? It is very serious. Many parents have
commented on how well their babies sleep on BabeSafe covers. This is
readily understandable, because there are various "emanations"
from crib mattresses. A baby's mattress (especially if previously used)
is probably the most unhygienic item the baby ever comes into contact
with.
OWC: What are your opinions of cotton crib
mattresses?
TJ: No mattress may be
used without wrapping unless it has been PROVED by expert chemical analysis
to be free from chemicals containing phosphorus, arsenic and/or antimony.
Statements from manufacturers have no validity unless supported by independent
analysis. There is another problem. Laundry soaps/detergents often contain
phosphates, and these cannot be rinsed completely from laundered items.
Urine, etc. can cause phosphate to dissolve and accumulate in the mattress,
and so provide a source of poisonous gas. EVERY mattress MUST be wrapped,
except the BabeSafe mattress, which has its own integral cover. My policy
as regards exposure to chemicals is one of "zero-tolerance".
OWC: Would you advise
getting a mattress without the flame retardant chemicals added?
TJ: I
regard flame retardant chemicals as superfluous and inherently dangerous.
Many flame retardants stifle fires but in the process generate extremely
poisonous gases. Then hazard from the gases is probably greater than
that from the fire. I am informed that in Britain, following the forced
introduction of fire retardant into cot mattresses, the number of baby
and child deaths from fires in mattresses rose sharply.
OWC: I think that
many of the cotton mattresses are being treated with boric acid for
fire protection or are being wrapped in wool.
TJ: I disapprove
of both practices. Boric acid is a toxic
compound, and wool normally contains phosphorus.
OWC: What is your
opinion on infants sleeping with their mothers.
TJ: OK, so long as the
parents' mattress is wrapped. I strongly recommend against bed-sharing
on UN-wrapped mattresses, because parents' mattresses are, by definition,
re-used mattresses.
OWC: Can your product
be used to wrap adult sized beds for when the infant sleeps with the
mother or parents.
TJ: BabeSafe
do not make adult size covers, though we have often been asked about
them. Parents should wrap their mattresses in thick, clear, polyethylene
sheeting, BUT IT IS VITAL THAT THEY USE
THE CORRECT SHEETING. Since 1995 I have provided a free testing
service for parents who wish to check on the quality of polyethylene
for mattress-wrapping. I don't like recommending sheet polyethylene
in other countries because of uncertainty about the quality of the plastic
in other countries.
BabeSafe Bassinet and Cot (Crib) Mattress
Covers
The advice to cover mattresses applies to every
mattress on which a baby sleeps (except a BabeSafe mattress) and includes:
adults' mattresses; mattresses of other children; and all mattresses made
of or containing natural products such as sheep fleeces, goatskins, kapok,
tree bark, coconut fibre, etc. The most convenient way to wrap a baby's
mattress is by means of a BabeSafe mattress cover.
BabeSafe covers are available in the following
sizes:
- Size A Fits all bassinets
- Size B 1200mm x 580mm x 75mm
- Size C 1200mm x 580mm x 125mm
- Size D 1200mm x 580mm x 180mm
- Size E 1310mm x 670mm x 125mmSize F 1310mm x
670mm x 180mm
BabeSafe mattresses are available in the following
sizes:
- Bassinet 670mm x 330mm x 75mm
- Standard 1200mm x 580mm x 125mm
- Large American 1300mm x 670mm x 125mm
BabeSafe mattresses do not require a BabeSafe cover.
The cover isintegral to the mattress.
It is imperative to use the correct
bedding on top of a BabeSafemattress or BabeSafe cover. Use
a fleecy pure cotton (winceyette, flannelette) underblanket and tuck this
in securely. Then make the bed using cot (crib) sheets and pure woollen
or pure cotton overblankets.
Do not use any of the following items in your
baby's cot (crib):
- Any form of moisture-resistant cot mattress protector
BabeSafe products carry the "Campaign Against
Cot Death" logo. This guarantees that they do not contain any detectable
phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.
T J Sprott, OBE, MSc, PhD, FNZIC, Consulting chemist,
Forensic scientist, 10 Combes Road, Auckland 5,New Zealand Phone & Fax
64-9-5231150 sprott@iconz.co.nz
For more information visit
Dr. Sprott's website: http://www.cotlife2000.com/
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