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SIDS Part IV: How Much Do We Really Know About This Mysterious Killer of Babies?
Toxic Gases Causing Crib Death?
Learn How to Protect Your Baby
Has the cause of crib death (SIDS) been found?
Dr. Jim Sprott, OBE, a New Zealand scientist and chemist, states
with certainty that crib death is caused by toxic nerve gases,
which can be generated from a baby's mattress. Chemical compounds
containing phosphorus, arsenic and antimony have been added to
mattresses as fire retardants and for other purposes since the
early 1950's. A fungus that commonly grows in bedding can
interact with these chemicals to create poisonous gases. These
dangerous gases can poison a baby to death, without waking the
sleeping baby and without any struggle by the baby. A normal
autopsy would not reveal any sign that the baby was poisoned.
This logical explanation of crib death is backed by scientific
research and six years of practical proof, especially in New
Zealand. In spite of denial and opposition from orthodox SIDS
organizations, no research has convincingly dispproved this
gaseous poisoning explanation for crib death.
The solution is to prevent exposure of babies to the gases by
wrapping mattresses in a cover made from high-grade polyethylene
and ensuring that bedding used on top of a wrapped mattress does
not contain any phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. Dr. Sprott
specifies a fleecy, pure cotton (flannelette) underblanket, with
only cotton or poly-cotton sheets and woolen or cotton blankets
over the baby. No other bedding should be used in the baby's
crib. In particular, don't use any synthetic sheets or blankets,
nor a duvet, sleeping bag, or sheepskin.
A 100% successful crib death prevention campaign has been going
on in New Zealand for the past six years. During this time, there
has not been a single SIDS death reported among the over 100,000
New Zealand babies who have slept on mattresses wrapped in a
specially formulated polyethylene cover (BabeSafe®). Prior to
the commencement of mattress-wrapping, New Zealand had the
highest crib death rate in the world (2.1 deaths per 1000 live
births). Following the adoption of mattress-wrapping by many
parents in New Zealand, the New Zealand crib death rate has
fallen by over 48%, and the Caucasian (non-Maori) crib death rate
has fallen by about 60%. The New Zealand Ministry of Health has
stated that there has been no reported crib death among those
babies who have slept on correctly wrapped mattresses.
So why isn't this profound and critically important information
making the headlines of major newspapers or all over the evening
news? Why aren't crib death researchers in the United States
telling parents to wrap babies' mattresses? Why are the
manufacturers still adding fire retardants and other chemicals
to mattresses?
There are various reasons, but one important reason is that
mattress manufacturers are allowed to use phosphorus, arsenic
and antimony through government regulations. Admitting that these
chemicals are causing deaths would mean admitting to major
liability. Furthermore, crib death research has been a
significant source of funding for medical researchers in the U.S.
Unfortunately, the ongoing complex and expensive research that
leads to the discovery of "risk factors" for a so-called
"syndrome" has pushed aside the simple and inexpensive solution
of mattress-wrapping; a solution that can do no harm.
The Cot Death Cover-Up? (Penguin books, NZ, 1996 - order from Healthychild.com), by Dr. Jim
Sprott, reveals the amazing story of denial on the part of crib
death researchers and the medical community, and the failure of
these powerful entities to accept such a simple explanation.
Dr. Sprott first suggested a toxic gas theory for crib death in
1986, and in 1989 Barry Richardson of Britain, acting
independently, publicized outstanding research proving the
finding. However, researchers and organizations responsible for
advising parents have vigorously denied the toxic gas explanation
for crib death. In the intervening period, many thousands of
babies have died of crib death. But the New Zealand experience
shows that those deaths were avoidable, easily and cheaply - and
that raises another prospect of legal liability for babies' deaths.
Eight babies continue to die every night in the United States
from crib death. Even though the SIDS research organizations
consider the toxic gas theory "unproven", I strongly believe that
parents have a right to the information about toxic gases so they
can decide for themselves whether to make use of an inexpensive,
easy, common sense solution that can certainly do no harm and may
prevent a devastating tragedy.
The main orthodox crib death prevention recommendation is to put
babies to sleep on their backs. We know that babies do still die
when sleeping on their backs (although face-up sleeping does
reduce the risk). However, no babies have died sleeping on a
properly wrapped mattress. This is crucial information for
parents, regardless of whether or not the toxic gas explanation
has been 100% "scientifically proven". Therefore, I feel
compelled to make this information - and the mattress covers -
available through my newsletter and website.
Parents can then decide for themselves whether they want to wait
for the SIDS research organizations or the government to endorse
mattress-wrapping or to "play it safe" as many parents have done
in New Zealand. An inexpensive, non-toxic protective cover can
certainly do no harm.
For more information, and to order the BabeSafe® mattress cover
click here.
PLEASE NOTE: Toxic gases are present in adult beds as well as
babies' cribs. Due to adult physiology, adults and older children
are not in danger (except, perhaps long-term toxicity that's not
been studied). But many babies sleep with their parents on
adult-sized mattresses. Unfortunately, only bassinette,
crib-sized and co-sleeper mattress covers are available at this
time. So you need to know that your baby is not protected in your
bed if your mattress is not wrapped correctly. The manufacturer
of the mattress covers is looking into the prospect of making
adult sized mattress covers, but in the meantime is recommending
against babies sleeping in adult beds.
This recommendation is disturbing to me since I am an avid
supporter of attachment parenting and "the family bed". But crib
death does happen in adult beds due to the presence of toxic
gases and the only way your baby would be protected from these
gases is if your mattress is properly wrapped. Face-up sleeping
helps reduce the risk of exposure to the toxic gases (a baby does
not breath in as much gas if he or she is face up), but does not
prevent crib death. If your baby is going to sleep in your bed,
please see the following instructions for wrapping the mattress
on your bed.
ALERT: It is of the utmost importance that the correct material
is used. There have been two baby deaths in New Zealand because
people used the wrong plastic. DO NOT USE PVC AND DO NOT USE THIN PLASTIC SHEETING!
Only high-grade 125 micron, clear, colorless polyethylene
sheeting will protect your baby. (125 microns equals 5 mils,
the same as 5 thousandths of an inch).
HOW TO WRAP A BABY'S MATTRESS FOR CRIB DEATH PREVENTION
The advice to wrap mattresses applies to every mattress on which
a baby sleeps (except a BabeSafe® mattress) and includes:
mattresses of other children; adults' mattresses; and all
mattresses made of or containing natural products such as
sheepskins, goatskins, kapok, tree bark, coconut fibre, etc.
The most convenient way to wrap a baby's mattress for crib death
prevention is by means of a BabeSafe® mattress cover. These
covers are manufactured in six sizes and are available at
babycare retail outlets throughout New Zealand and by mail order
in some other countries, including the US, Canada, Australia,
England and Scotland. As an alternative, parents can make mattress wraps for their own
beds using the specified polythene sheeting. If this option is
selected, the following instructions apply:
- Use thick, clear (not colored) polythene sheeting. The thickness of the polythene must be at least 125 microns. DO NOT USE PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) FOR MATTRESS-WRAPPING!
- Place the polythene over the top of the mattress and down the ends and sides, and secure it firmly on the underside of the mattress with strong adhesive tape. Dr. Sprott recommends 3M Scotch tape, super clear, 2 inches wide.
- The polythene on the underside of the mattress should not be airtight. It must be airtight on the top and sides of the mattress.
It is imperative to use the correct bedding on top of a
BabeSafe® mattress, BabeSafe mattress cover or
polythene-wrapped mattress. Use a fleecy pure cotton underblanket
and tuck this in securely. Then make the bed using sheets and
pure woolen or pure cotton overblankets. DO NOT use any type of
moisture-resistant mattress protector, sheepskin, sheepfleece
underlay, acrylic blanket, sleeping bag or duvet.
THESE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT OTHER BEDDING ARE VITAL!
BabeSafe® mattresses, BabeSafe® mattress covers and
polythene-wrapped mattresses should be cleaned by wiping with
pure soap and water. Do not use chemical bleaches or sterilants
Dr. Sprott emphasizes that the above instructions must be
followed exactly, to the letter. Note that polythene is a trade
name for polyethylene. However, Dr. Sprott strongly encourages
parents to use BabeSafe® crib mattress covers for babies' cribs.
He is concerned that parents might use incorrect plastic sheeting
for their babies' mattress.
Jane Sheppard has been a researcher/writer in the healthcare field for over 14 years, with an emphasis on nutrition and alternative medicine. She is the editor of Healthy Child Newsletter and Healthy Child Online, providing in-depth information to parents about children's nutrition, natural health and alternative medicine, vaccinations, herbs, breastfeeding, strengthening a child's immune system, environmental and medical concerns. Visit http://www.healthychild.com for database of articles, free newsletter, parent's forum, recommended books and more. This information is provided as a service to My ParenTime's visitors, and is for informational purposes only. Please consult your child's pediatrician for questions regarding SIDS.
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