Parents who know about SIDS may think of it as their worst nightmare. Sudden infant death syndrome is known as SIDS or crib death. It’s when a baby 12 months or younger dies during sleep with no warning signs or a clear reason. Although there is no 100% way to prevent SIDS, there is a lot you can do lower your baby’s risk. Since the American Academy of Pediatrics issued its safe sleep recommendations in 1992 and launched its "Back to Sleep" campaign in 1994, the SIDS rate has dropped more than 60%. In fact, between 1990 and 2013, SIDS rates declined from about 130 deaths per 100,000 infants to about 40 deaths per 100,000. Your baby’s risk of SIDS is much higher any time he sleeps on his side or stomach. (A baby placed on his side can roll over on his stomach.) These positions put your baby’s face in the mattress or sleeping area, which can smother him. So, every time you put your baby in his bed to sleep -- for naps, at night, or any time -- lay him down on his back.
Tell anyone who takes care of your baby how essential it is to lay your sleeping baby on his back each time. That includes grandparents, babysitters and childcare providers, older siblings, and others. They may think one time won’t matter, but it can. When a baby who usually sleeps on his back is suddenly laid on his stomach to sleep, the risk of SIDS is much higher. If you’re worried your baby might choke while sleeping on his back, don't be. Choking is very rare, and healthy babies tend to swallow or cough up fluids automatically. If you’re concerned, ask your pediatrician about elevating the head of your baby's bed. Once your baby can roll over both ways, which usually happens around 6 months, he may not stay on his back. It’s fine to let him choose his own sleep position once he knows how to roll over. Crib & Changer $229.99 Montville Convertible Crib& Changer Set "Burlington offered the best price over competitors and was amazed at how quickly it was delivered!"
Shop Cribs & Baby Beds at Baby Depot Your baby’s crib, it’s the most important piece of nursery furniture you can buy. Not only will your baby be spending most of his or her time sleeping in their new crib, but it also sets the tone for your nursery’s décor – everything from color choice to design revolves around this cornerstone piece of furniture. Luckily, Burlington has baby cribs to fit everyone’s taste and budget! Convertible cribs, that grow with your child from newborn to toddler and beyond, to a mini crib that makes a sensational choice when your nursery space is tight, you will find all these cribs and so much more at Burlington. Plus at Burlington you can also save big on all the extras that you will need – complete crib bedding sets, crib mattresses, changing pads and more.The absolute safest crib baby mattresses you’ll find on the market are made from plant-based materials that were grown without the use of pesticides. The plant fibers would not have been treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process.
And the final product (including the mattress’s core, padding and cover) also would not have been treated with chemicals. Instead of chemicals, natural materials would be used to comply with fire safety regulations, resist bacteria and water-proof the mattress from sweat, urine and saliva. One issue with truly safe crib mattresses is that they can be prohibitively expensive for many parents. If a healthier crib mattress isn’t in the budget, consider asking close friends & coworkers to chip in toward a collective baby shower gift. Another option is to buy the safer crib mattress second-hand or accept one from a friend, who no longer needs it. However if you do, please be aware there are some important issues to consider with used crib mattresses. A second issue is that parents can be mislead into thinking some crib mattresses are safer for their baby and the environment than they really are. Parents should be aware that crib mattresses claiming to be safe and healthy, sometimes are not.
In a misguided attempt to make “natural crib mattresses” more affordable, manufacturers will often create just the core of the mattress from natural materials… but then use petroleum-based fabrics to cover and pad the mattress. They may also use chemicals, rather than safe and natural solutions, to address flammability, water-proofing and bacteria resistance. These manufacturers may label their seemingly safer product with deceiving buzzwords such as “eco”, “green”, “healthy” or “non-toxic”. And they can do this legally, because there are are no standards or regulations to define what these terms mean. If you find a crib mattress that claims to be made from natural materials, check that it is also covered in wool, rather than dipped in chemicals, to address fire safety regulations. Parents concerned with bacteria buildup from sweat, saliva or urine should look for a mattress core that addresses waterproofing with natural latex rubber, which comes from the rubber tree.
If the label says synthetic latex rubber (or sometimes just “latex”), then it is made from petroleum and is not the healthiest or most eco alternative. If it’s in the budget, opt for mattresses that are certified organic to ensure the natural materials that went into the mattress were not grown with pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Just because the label states that a chemical is “not known” to be dangerous, does not mean that it safe. It just means that it has not yet been tested. For example, several chemical fire retardants have been phased out in response to consumer demand or because they have been banned by the government. However, many of these fire retardants have been replaced by other toxic chemicals that have not yet been tested and therefore not yet proven to be unsafe. Densely woven wool is a natural fire retardant and does not require added chemicals. While rare, some babies are allergic to wool. Natural latex foam comes from the rubber tree and is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, bacteria, and mites.
While rare, some babies are allergic to natural latex. (Do not confuse natural latex with synthetic latex. Synthetic latex is made from petroleum.) Conventional cotton (i.e. not organic) is heavily sprayed with pesticides. Choose organic cotton if you can. Boric acid or silica is sometimes added to wool mattresses and may not be listed on the label, so be sure to ask. These natural additives are safer than chemicals, but may cause temporary eye or respiratory irritation. Most bamboo fabrics on the market are not a natural alternative. Turning durable bamboo into a soft material requires such heavy processing, that it is mostly synthetic by the time it has become a fabric. If the label says the bamboo has been processed “mechanically” (or is labeled as “bamboo linen”), then it is a safer and more eco-friendly alternative. However bamboo linen is expensive, so most bamboo fabrics on the market today are chemically produced. Soybean foam is not a natural alternative.