Berkeley Parents Network: Crib Mattress

Berkeley Parents Network

Crib Mattress

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Sleep > Crib Mattress

Kolcraft vibrating mattress

Jan 2005

HI; I was wondering if anyone has tried the Kolcraft vibrating mattress? Is this a gimmick and a waste of money, or has anyone found it useful in helping babies sleep longer? Thanks. Cheryl

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Re-using a crib mattress

February 2003

I was just wondering if anyone has heard anything about how you aren't supposed to use a crib mattress for more than one baby. My brother and his wife recently went shopping for baby furniture and when they were looking at mattresses the person at the store was telling them that you shouldn't re-use one unless it is the expensive kind that is waterproof and scotchguarded and what not. She said that when the baby throws up, pees, or whatever on the less expensive ones it goes into the mattress and stays there. So even though the first kid had no troubles, the next child may not be immune to the same things and could then get sick from it. I hope I'm making sense. It sounded better when he said it. But anyways, it still kind of sounds like a load to me. It just seems a little over-cautious. Has anyone else heard this and is it legitimate? Or is the lady just trying to sell a more expensive bed? She also mentioned buying a waterproof mattress pad if you want to re-use the mattress but don't want to spring for the extras. But a water resistent mattress pad isn't good enough. Of course that's what we have. Ah well. Thanks for your input! Sarah

Sounds like a sales pitch to me, too. Urine is practically sterile; gut bacteria from feces and vomit don't survive drying out too well, and it's unlikely your baby will have his mouth on the mattress, since presumably you are using a clean sheet and pad.

Tot #2 WILL get sicker than tot #1, though--it's the sheer math of two sets of playmates coming into contact with the baby. Not to mention that with your attention divided, #2 tends to a lot more dirt and crud, too. I wouldn't blame it on the crib mattress, though.
virginia

In my opinion, you are right, that IS a load. My now 2 year old son is using the crib that was his cousin's (and her sister's before that!) I bought two new waterproof mattress pads so I can be cleaning one and still have one on - and just washed them before I put them on. Then, of course, there is a sheet on top of that. How can months-old pee, spit-up, etc even GET to the baby? It sounds like a good way to sell more mattresses to me. Go with your gut - you're probably right!
A thrifty mama

There have been two studies linking reusing a crib mattress to SIDS. Both showed a small but significant positive correlation between a reused crib mattress and the baby dying of SIDS, with a stronger correlation if the mattress came from another family. Researchers (and crib salesmen) hypothesize that the reason for this link is that bacteria get into the mattress and can then sicken baby number two, though no one actually knows why this correlation appears. The problem with these studies is that, although the second one tried to control for socioeconomic factors, it is almost impossible with a retrospective study. I mean, let's face it. How many people of limited means are going to throw out a perfectly good crib mattress just so the new baby can have an unused one? That's the main criticism I've read of the conclusion.

My opinion: I think it is premature scientifically to conclude that buying a new mattress will protect your baby from SIDS or other health problems. This is the sort of recommendation that is easy for doctors to promote, and easy for worried parents to latch onto, and it doesn't hurt that there is an entire industry benefitting from the anxiety. I'd wash the mattress cover and not worry about it.
Judith

The concern about mattresses is related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death. The theory is that some of the fire-retardant chemicals in the mattress react with naturally occuring mold (which gets a boost from moisture coming from baby). This reaction releases toxic gases. Wrapping the mattress with a water proof cover which does not contain the chemicals in question works both by keeping moisture away from the mold, but more importantly keeping gases away from babies. There is more info at the link below: http://www.johnleemd.net/articles/sids.html
safety dad

My instinct is that a used crib mattress is probably safer than a new one because it has had more of a chance to offgas. Chemicals used in the manufacture of crib mattresses are suspected of being related to an increased incidence of SIDS. We chose a crib futon instead, to avoid these toxins, but if I had to I'd use an old mattress over a new one. Here is more information: The source we got the crib futon from, admittedly biased has a bit of information on this topic... look in the crib section: http://www.whitelotus.net/
avoiding indoor air pollution!

Recommended brands

July 2003

I need recommendations for what kind of crib mattress to buy and where to buy it. I looked at previous recommendations but couldn't find any for my dilemma . The mattress that I'm using now for my 19 months old is very used (by others). The reason I want to replace it now, is because I suspect it may be the reason for her cough and having some asthma episodes. I'm not looking for a top-of-the-line kind, since I'm going to invest in a hypoallergenic cover specially made to protect from dust mites and other allergens. Thanks for any recommendation.

There's a book called something like ''Baby Bargains'' (narrow format, i think the cover was green) that recommended mattresses, among other equipment. It bases its recommendations on consumer reports and other such research. I leant the book to someone, so can't give you details. But our crib mattress is a Colgate Ultra II, and I'm pretty sure it was highly rated by the book.

By the way, I think the best part of the Baby Bargains book is not the ideas it gives for low cost shopping, but the evaluations and ratings of products. I recommend it. mary

Have you considered an all-cotton crib futon? They are foam- free, chemical-free, and naturally hypoallergenic. We got one at Matsu (http://www.matsu-store.com/) on Solano Ave., and paid only $70 for an 8-layer futon. The people who work there are really knowledgeable, and worth talking to if you're at all interested! Monica

About 3 1/2 years ago I bought our crib mattress at Toys R Us. It's a big-name one, like Serta or Simmons, and it was about $60.00 for the deluxe one, well worth the price. It's plastic covered, and is still in new condition (it's on kid #2, who is now 18 months). Heidi

The problem with baby mattresses is the material used in them. Cotton as a crop is heavily sprayed with pesticides and then cotton material is treated with chemicals to finish it, so organic is preferable. Then the mattresses are treated with flame retardant - which sounds good in theory but you may have seen the article in the SF Chron the other day about the health hazards of flame retardant and babies are just more vulnerable to that stuff. That's why I'd recommend an organic cotton mattress. Ecobaby, a San Diego based mail order business has them - on line www.ecobaby.com or call for a catalogue (sorry don't have the number handy). Unfortunately, not cheap but check it out, you may not find it too much. susan

Many crib mattresses, especially those for small children, come packed with flame retardant and for good reason too. Recent information suggests that these chemicals may be harmful to susceptible children. Dr.Lendon Lee, a pediatrician, wrote about research in New Zealand that showed that SIDs was greatly reduced there when the baby mattresses were wrapped in a special mattress cover. The cover prevented the normally occurring household bacteria from dining on the chemicals and producing toxic gas by-products that hovered close to the surface of the mattress. The article appeared in the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients and I reported this in an earlier post, which I hope can be found in the archives. You could also do a search at www.mercola.com to locate the information. Perhaps simply wrapping the mattress would be helpful for your child. Nori Hudson

When you look at the study recommended in the last newsletter a couple of things quickly pop up:
1) they are selling a product (a baby safe mattress cover)
2) the study had all folks who ''wrapped'' their mattress also placed their child on the back to sleep, which has been shown in many studies to reduce the risk of SIDS
3) No sample size was given, no longitudinal studies, nothing else was given in the Mercola article. It's very hard to figure out whether the study is relevant at all.
4) Fire Retardence clearly is one of the most cost-effective life saving interventions (see Five Hundred Hundred Life Saving Interventions and their cost-effectiveness, (Harvard School of Public Health ) and the risk that your child faces from fire is actually higher than the risk of SIDS

I think assuming that any one product can ''save'' a child from SIDS is somewhat dangerous, and is likely only to blame a parent for not purchasing a product. Public Health Educator 2001

I currently have a Simmons Baby Beautyrest Backcare IV mattress for my six month old baby. However, from day one it has always seemed so hard. We often compare it to sleeping on a wood floor. I didn't let it bother me since I felt it would be safer for her but I just can't stand seeing her sleeping on it any longer. I am looking for a mattress that is firm but still comfortable.

Also, since trying to research one on the Internet I have come across lots of information regarding the dangers of chemicals found in commercial mattresses. Is it really better or worth it for a natural chemical-free mattress or is this a lot of hype to sell expensive mattresses? Is there a place where one can go to buy these besides the Internet? Thanks for any info you might be able to offer me. Liza

Regarding the chemicals in new mattresses, I avoided them by buying a used crib mattress. Jennifer

The best crib mattresses are the lightweight ones because you change the sheets so constantly. Buying an expensive equivalent of an adult mattress is unnecessary & bad for your back. The best lightweight ones are simply foam, which can be very very firm or softer. If foam exhudes chemicals it's news to me but aren't you going to encase it in plastic anyway, then a cotton mattress cover? I'd let the plastic air for a day or two & then forget about it. Mary Ann

I did a lot of research on crib mattresses when we were decorating our son's bedroom. I found a fabulous book in the Berk. public library's downtown branch about eco-friendly, non-toxic "stuff" for children. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the book, but I'm sure you could peruse the bookshelves of the library or Cody's and find it.

We bought a Crown II mattress from Lullaby Lane in San Mateo. Very reasonable, about $120.00. Sturdy coils, and very little(1/4" foam. Foam is the material you want to avoid in mattresses. I had read it off-gasses formaldyhyde(sp?). Any mattress you purchase should be aired out for at least a few days outside before putting your child on it. Maya

I saw the posting about the recommendation to buy a used crib mattress. I would caution you about using a used mattress for your newborn or very young baby. You run into issues about mold, contamination from urine,bacteria, etc. Also, can you really verify the complete history of a used mattress? How many kids slept on it? Was it ever stored improperly? My sister-in-law cautioned me about buying a used mattress after she had read an article about the link between used/well worn crib mattresses and SIDs. Maya

I bought a 100% cotton futon for my daughter at Discount Depot in Berkeley. They will make one to fit your crib, it cost me less than $100. Ecobaby sell an organic cotton futon that is crib size but it costs about $400 plus shipping. Foam mattresses should be avoided (by both babies and adults) because of the off gassing of chemicals which you inhale while sleeping. Mary

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