Are Toxic Gases in Crib Mattresses Causing Crib Death - SIDS?
Have you heard about toxic gases in crib mattresses causing SIDS or crib death? Basically, the theory is that toxic gases are generated from chemicals in a baby's crib mattress. If a baby breathes or absorbs a lethal dose of the gases, the central nervous system shuts down, stopping breathing and then heart function. These gases can fatally poison a baby, without waking the sleeping baby.
There is a cot (crib) death prevention campaign in New Zealand to wrap crib mattresses in a cover that blocks the gases from getting to the babies. This has been going on for the past 11 years
I was shocked when I first heard about it 10 years ago and did a lot of checking to find out what was really going on. I contacted Dr. James Sprott, one of the main scientists publishing this theory, and I have been in touch with him and other environmental scientists and continue to follow the results of the NZ crib death (SIDS) prevention campaign.
If you haven't yet heard about the toxic gas explanation for crib death or SIDS, the following article explains more:
Has the Cause of Crib Death - SIDS been Found?
Has this been scientifically proven? No, it has not. Nor has it been disproven. We definitely need more research. But when you look at the evidence we do have, it's very compelling and it makes complete sense. It even logically explains every factor already known about crib death.
What is so compelling to me is that there have been no SIDS deaths among the large number of babies in New Zealand who have slept on correctly wrapped mattresses designed to block the gases. This is quite a crucial piece of information for parents. It's the only crib death prevention advice that has ever been 100% successful! If you've read elsewhere that some babies have been found to die on wrapped mattresses, this has never been substantiated and is just not true.
Why haven't you heard about this in the news or from your doctor? Is there more research being done on this issue? No, there is not, because our government and most SIDS organizations have essentially closed the book on the toxic gas explanation. Several SIDS organizations came up with a position paper on the issue in 2004 and that's what most doctors and media go by. This position paper says there is insufficient evidence to support the claims and that parents should disregard the toxic gas information. So don't hold your breath on additional research on this issue.
What do these SIDS organizations mostly base their conclusions on? A faulty report published in 1998 that was commissioned by the British government, under Lady Limerick. But the 1998 UK Limerick Report did not disprove the toxic gas theory for cot death (crib death). In fact, Dr. Sprott says the Limerick Committee's research proved the gas generation on which the toxic gas theory is based. For information on fallacies contained in the Limerick Report, visit http://www.cotlife2000.com and click on the side heading "Limerick Report".
In addition, they focused on antimony and ignored the other numerous chemicals in mattresses that can be toxic to babies. Worse yet, in this position paper, First Candle/SIDS Alliance tells parents to continue to use vinyl covered crib mattresses! This is terrible advice - we know that vinyl (PVC) is dangerous for babies. I do understand their concern that parents trying to avoid exposure may put their babies to sleep on surfaces other than a firm, flat mattress. But there are now non-toxic, safe, firm, flat organic baby crib mattresses available that are much safer than vinyl.
So with little hope of further research, we're left on our own to figure out if we should take action or not.
What Can We Do?
Here's my take on this issue after paying close attention and following this for over 10 years:
I believe some babies are dying from toxic poisoning in their cribs. I don't think it's the only cause of SIDS since it's also known that vaccinations have caused baby deaths that have been labeled as SIDS. Most likely, in my opinion, it's a combination of the two. There could be other causes, but I do believe it's mostly a toxicity issue. There may even be some underlying medical condition, as some studies suggest, that is triggered by an environmental toxic assault.
The toxic gas issue may not be exactly as explained by Dr. Sprott. But even if it turns out that the toxic gases generated from antimony, arsenic and phosphorus are not an issue in crib death, the fact remains that typical crib mattresses do contain poisons and babies should not be sleeping on polyurethane foam covered in vinyl and loaded with fire retardants, chemical plasticizers and biocides. It's a known fact that chemical plasticizers, such as phthalates, leach out of vinyl mattress covers. Additionally, toxic fire retardants can leach out into the air. We also know for a fact that cribs are off-gassing formaldehyde and other VOCs. Toxic crib and mattress materials are known to cause neurological, respiratory, reproductive or immune problems in infants. Small, developing babies should not be breathing in these chemicals and gases as they sleep!
The bottom line is that babies should not be sleeping on crib mattresses that contain any toxic materials during their most vulnerable period of brain and immune development. Especially when non-toxic, organic baby mattresses are readily available!
In the New Zealand crib death prevention campaign, they are wrapping the baby mattresses with polyethylene, which is a gas impermeable plastic that does not do any off-gassing itself. We know that a polyethylene cover is non-toxic and safe and will block gases and chemicals from getting to the baby. So even if you don't believe the toxic gas theory of crib death, it still may make sense for you to get a non-toxic organic crib mattress to avoid exposures to the other issues I mention above.
The good news is that there are things you can do. The best action to take is to buy a non-toxic, firm, flat, organic crib mattress that does not contain any toxic materials in the first place. That way you won't have to worry about wrapping a toxic mattress incorrectly or getting rips or tears in the mattress cover. But if you simply can't afford to buy an organic mattress, then mattress wrapping with a BabeSafe mattress cover is the next best thing.
For the past 10 years, I have been thoroughly investigating all aspects of the safety and toxicity of crib mattresses. There is a tremendous amount of confusing claims and misleading information on websites about organic crib mattresses. I wrote the following report to help you distinguish facts from deception or misinformation. Click here to Learn Which Organic Crib Mattresses are Safe and Non-Toxic for Your Baby
I'm not a doctor or scientist and this is NOT crib death prevention advice or medical advice. This is simply my informed opinion after investigating this for many years. And I've spent a lot of time doing research on the toxicity of materials in baby and children's products.
I don't want to spread fear and the last thing a new mom needs is something to worry about. But when you are empowered with information and choices, you can take action to do what you can and then relax and let go of the worry. Then you can fully be there to nurture your baby.
See my free report: Protect Your Baby from Toxic Exposures
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I almost did this myself, since I had a low budget for a crib mattress (blame the economy). However, during my research I found this great resource that all parents should use before they go out to buy a crib mattress. The Crib Mattress Guide is the ultimate source for new parents who are confused by the crib mattress shopping experience...I know I certainly was before I found this great guide. I highly recommend it for all new parents who want to make sure that their baby gets nothing but the best (and safest) mattress available!