This month I want to address one of the most persistent fears of every new parent: SIDS. According to the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome refers to "the sudden death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough case investigation is conducted, including a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history." Each year in the United States over 2,000 babies die of SIDS. While the "Back to Sleep" campaign started in 1994 has likely been responsible for the decrease in infant deaths since then, researchers are still unable to draw definitive conclusions about just what causes SIDS.
Because the causes of SIDS are not conclusive, parents are subject to many theories about what causes SIDS and many ideas about how to prevent it. In my line of business, I am often asked if organic mattresses protect babies against SIDS. And while I am not a SIDS expert, I do try to stay current on the latest thinking about the topic.
Much of the research I recently looked at discussed air quality. According to Medical News Today, "Although caretakers should continue to be encouraged to place infants on their backs to sleep, other potentially modifiable risk factors in the sleep environment should be examined to promote further decline in the rate of SIDS" (www.medicalnewstoday.com). What this means to me is that we need to do more than put babies to sleep on their backs. As somebody who is committed to healthy, safe sleeping products, it is no surprise to me that researchers are also encouraging parents (and consumers) to consider the infant's sleep environment.
Some researchers believe that toxic gases from conventional mattresses or from toxic household fumes (from smoking, paint, poor ventilation, etc.) are to blame. This www.HealthyChild.org article discusses research in this area and details the success that New Zealand has had in reducing its incidence of SIDS by promoting a program to wrap conventional mattresses in order to reduce the amount of off-gassing babies inhale.
Another study from a 2008 issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine indicates that using a fan while an infant is sleeping in a room with inadequate ventilation can decrease the risk of that infant dying of SIDS (www.medicalnewstoday.com).
Finally, a report published in Lancet studied the autopsy results of 470 babies who died of SIDS between 1996 and 2005. They found high levels of hazardous bacteria like Staphylococcus and E. coli in over half the babies. Dr. Nigel Klein, co-author of the study and a professor at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children said that the levels of bacteria could also be associated with other hypothetical contributing factors to SIDS, such as a too-hot bedroom, or poor air quality. According to another researcher not associated with the study pointed out that, "The bacteria in combination with other co-factors might push these babies over the edge," said Marian Willinger, a SIDS specialist at the United States-based National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (www.buzzle.com).
Clearly, there is so much doctors and scientists still do not understand about SIDS. The research does seem to suggest, however, that sleep environment is a key factor to consider. This is where Moonlight Slumber can be of help. In the midst of this heavy, sometimes confusing onslaught of information about SIDS, I feel proud to offer mattress materials that are safe, healthy and affordable. All of our mattresses are PVC/Vinyl free, non-toxic, antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and made of the best combination of earth friendly products. All Moonlight Products are free of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony, some of the biggest toxic offenders found in conventional mattresses.
Aside from putting baby to sleep on her back on a firm sleeping surface and creating the purest sleep environment possible, there are several other things to consider and plenty of checklists to consult. You can see one of them out at http://www.creative-baby-nursery-rooms.com/sids-prevention.html. I wish you the best of luck in your quest to educate yourself about SIDS and I hope you'll take every precaution necessary to protect your little one!
POSTED BY TERRY PAUL President and Founder of Moonlight Slumber
14-Jan-10
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(2 Comments)
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Dear Terri,
If the following is of interest to you contact me at 714-357-2475
Thanks
Jacob
The AirNettress"
The AirNettress" is a revolutionary crib mattress, which greatly eliminates or reduces major factors that are believed to be main causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), has a profound positive impact on allergies, among many other benefits that provide Healthy and Safe Sleep" for children from infancy to toddlerhood.
There are several real world concerns that plague todays parents with constant worry during the early years of their childs life, and they are how to ensure Healthy and Safe Sleep" for their infant, and later toddler. Most concerning to the general population which could affect all seemingly healthy infants is the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Although there has not been a definitive cause determined for SIDS, the major medical community believes it is primarily caused by the following factors: Buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) and baby overheating. The AirNettress cleverly, and methodically was designed to reduce or eliminate these concerns, as well as tackles the not less important issues of being hypoallergenic, inhospitable to dust mites, and being one of the most hygienic crib mattresses in the market.
AirNettress is the culmination of years of research and development involving a multitude of medical professionals in respected major medical centers, as well as mechanical engineers. The solution, as any great solution is, a simple, reliable product, which addresses all concerns affecting parents today. The revolutionary AirNettress is constructed of a unique, permeable, breathable mesh fabric surrounding an all aluminum frame. The unique quality of the mesh fabric allows for comfort, strength, durability, as well as allowing unrestricted air movement, temperature regulation and fluid to flow through it.
The following explanation is how the AirNettress seeks to resolve mattress concerns parents might have:
" Carbon Dioxide build up (causing asphyxiation) In a series of experiments performed by Dr. Ephraim Bar-Yishay, at the Pulmonary Laboratory, Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel, a physiological model, whose purpose was to study and assess airflow through the mattress surface, was made of a breathing infant. The results of the experiments showed that the mesh fabric allowed free airflow through the AirNettress surface with minimal resistance and dramatically reduced the accumulation of carbon dioxide, effectively eliminating the build up all together. The results were duplicated and when the AirNettress was also covered with the AirNettress fitted sheet. In the real world, what this all translates to is that the baby should be able to be face down in the mattress and breath freely, without any build up of toxic gasses.
" Overheating Being that the baby is sleeping on a suspended surface, which is highly permeable, air is free to constantly circulate around the baby. This naturally allows for heat to be regulated around the baby. This should prevent overheating of the baby that usually occurs due to limited or no air movement between the baby and the mattress.
" Hypoallergenic / Dust Mites The AirNettress is constructed of only aluminum and child safe plastic based materials. There is no component in the product that may lend itself to allergies in any way. Furthermore, in experiments done by Dr. Kosta Mumcuoglu, in the Parasitology Laboratory, Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel, which were designed to study and assess the ability of house dust mites to survive on the mattress surface, the results proved that there was total inhibition of dust mite survival on the AirNettress. In the same round of experiments, traditional mattresses proved to be an environment in which dust mites not only survived, but thrived and reproduced.
" Hygiene Another major advantage of the AirNettress is the hygienic benefits from its inherent design. As opposed to traditional mattresses, when a baby urinates, vomits, spits up, etc on the AirNettress, the majority of the fluid will simply leak through the AirNettress and be collected on the included Underlay (either washable or disposable) which is positioned between the AirNettress and the crib mattress support frame. This allows the baby to continue his or her restful nights sleep in a far more hygienic environment than with a traditional mattress. When the baby awakens, the parent simply removes the fitted sheet, and can either wipe down the AirNettress or wash it in the shower with hot water to sanitize the AirNettress, which quickly air-dries or can be dried by the use of a dry washcloth.
" Orthopedic The AirNettress is designed with all infant and toddler orthopedic consideration in mind. The sleeping surface is firm as required for Health and Safe Sleep, however has enough give to be comfortable as a proper crib mattress should be.
" Recyclable Unlike the incredible waste generated by traditional mattresses, the AirNettress can be recycled and help save the environment.
Revolutionary is truly the best way to describe the AirNettress product line. In addition to the actual AirNettress mattress, BWR offers fitted sheets that are proprietary to the AirNettress and underlays that are absorbent non-leaking pads, which are the full size of the AirNettress and will be placed between the AirNettress and the crib mattress support frame to catch any fluids that may seep through the sleeping surface. The underlay takes the place of a traditional mattress pad.
Dr. William (Bill) Sears (www.askdrsears.com) - Dr. Sears, or Dr. Bill as his "little patients" call him, is the father of eight children as well as the author of over 30 books on childcare. Dr. Bill is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Dr. Bill received his pediatric training at Harvard Medical School's Children's Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto -- the largest childrens hospital in the world, where he served as associate ward chief of the newborn nursery and associate professor of pediatrics. Dr. Sears is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a fellow of the Royal College of Pediatricians (RCP). Dr. Bill is also a medical and parenting consultant for BabyTalk and Parenting magazines and the pediatrician on the website www.Parenting.com
Dr. Sears will be under contract to endorse the product in multiple levels of involvement:
o Produce product brochures from a medical perspective related to the AirNettress to be distributed to medical practices
o Add the AirNettress to his web site
o Present papers in related seminars that promote the AirNettress through 10 Ways to Healthy and Safe Sleep"
o Show up in a variety of TV programs such as the: Doctors, morning shows, talk shows, etc& and promote the AirNettress through his 10 Ways to Healthy and Safe Sleep"
o Be integrated into the AirNettress website, as well as the television advertisements
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the mattress comfortable?
Yes! Especially if it is used from birth the AirNettress is comfortable for your child. In our experience, the vast majority of parents whose infants used the new mattress reported that they slept soundly and quietly.
Is the mattress safe?
Yes. AirNettress is made of unique, permeable netting stretched over a sturdy frame. The special quality of the netting allows for comfort, strength and durability combined with free air, temperature and fluid flow through it. In a study performed at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, the new mattress was found to have superior properties with regard to air flow and carbon dioxide accumulation and clearance compared to known values of regularly used mattresses and bedding materials. This characteristic is important for infants during their first year of life and mainly in situations when breathing is possible only through the mattress as in prone sleep or when the face is covered by a blanket or pillow. All liquids including water, regurgitated food, vomit or urine seep through the mattress. In infants with gastro esophageal reflux (spitting up) or during periods of respiratory diseases regurgitated food and mucus seep through the sleep surface hence preventing secondary aspiration. The mattress has been tested and approved by Israel's Institute of Standards in the following areas: resistance to puncture, tear and fire and toxic materials testing.
How does it differ from other anti allergenic products?
House Dust Mites (HDM) are microscopic creatures whose optimal growth requires high humidity, moderate temperature and an adequate food source, mainly human skin. The largest numbers of mites are usually found in dust samples taken from uncovered mattress surfaces, bedding, upholstered furniture and floor carpeting. The correlations between dust mite exposure and development of allergic disease such as asthma and allergic rhinitis have been documented in many studies. In a study performed at Hadassah Hospital Medical School HDM survival on the new surface was compared to survival on standard mattresses. HDM's could not survive on the experimental sleep surface whereas the mites not only survived but also reproduced and proliferated on the standard mattresses. Standard methods require frequent vacuuming and cleaning of ordinary mattresses and sheets and use of barrier methods to prevent inhalation of dust mite allergens.
How strong is the netting?
The netting can support up to 150 Kg (330Lb) without tearing. The netting is stretched over the frame, creating high tension, thus giving the mattress unique orthopedic qualities. The netting tension is maintained for a long period of time and is recommended for infants weighing up to 20 Kg (45Lb).
What do I do if the net rips?
The net is manufactured to endure a tear, even while bearing a 100 kg weight on it without further expansion. If an accidental tear occurs, contact your closest dealer to consult about further use of the mattress.
How does the mattress promote infant development?
Motor development is seen to depend upon various factors that may reside in the infant or in the environment. Since the observation in 1992 that sudden infant death syndrome (SID) may be associated with infants sleeping in prone, parents have been urged to put their infants on their back while sleeping. Some researchers expressed concerns that the supine sleeping position seemed to delay the motor development of the infants. The taut, porous surface of the new mattress enables infants to be placed face down for long periods of time, thereby promoting infant development. It also prevents the development of skull deformities that stem from prolonged placing of infants on their back. In addition, local sagging of conventional mattresses creating "mattress memory", which may also hinder infant development, does not occur on the new mattress.
Does the baby feel cold?
No! If the baby is appropriately dressed and the room is kept at the recommended temperature (approximately 20°-22°C) the baby will not feel cold. During periods of cold room temperatures (winter), the mattress can be used in conjunction with a sleep sack thus preventing infant cooling.
How should I clean the mattress and how often?
We recommend washing the mattress in your bathtub with hot water and soap on a weekly basis. We also advise to check for dust and dirt under the mattress surface and clean the area weekly with soap and water due to the porous nature of the net. A special disposable underlay for the area under the mattress is available
What should I do if the baby spit up or wet the bed at night?
We recommend moving the baby to a dry area of the mattress and cleaning the wet area with a towel. In the morning, clean the mattress and the area under it with soap and water as recommended.
My infant has a runny nose, cough and mucus&what should I do?
Raise the mattress angle by opening its legs, use a vaporizer or humidifier and clean the secretions that seeped through the porous netting in the morning.
What sizes does the mattress come in?
The mattress comes in two standard sizes that fit infant beds. It is available in a small, crib size.
Is it possible to use standard sheets?
In order to gain the most benefit from the mattress we recommend using special netted sheets.
Is it possible to use infant breathing/movement monitors with the mattress?
Yes! An infant breathing/movement monitor can be used with the mattress efficiently. It is advisable to check with the distributor of the specific monitor you intend to use.
This month I want to address one of the most persistent fears of every new parent: SIDS. According to the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome refers to "the sudden death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough case investigation is conducted, including a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history." Each year in the United States over 2,000 babies die of SIDS. While the "Back to Sleep" campaign started in 1994 has likely been responsible for the decrease in infant deaths since then, researchers are still unable to draw definitive conclusions about just what causes SIDS.