Crib Mattress
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Crib Mattress
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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
[no replies received]
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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