Babies who sleep on mattresses previously used by another child face a significantly higher risk of cot death, according to a new study.Saliva, urine or milk soaked into the mattress produces potentially toxic bacteria which can lead to the death of a baby, particularly if the infant is already suffering from an acute viral infection, say researchers.The finding will fuel the debate over cot death which claimed the lives of 231 babies in England and Wales last year. Campaigners say the number of deaths was at least 95 higher because of the increasing number of infant deaths registered as "unascertained".Researchers at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow studied 409 babies of whom 131 died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and 278 remained healthy.More than half (54 per cent) of the 131 babies who died were placed on used mattresses. Of the 278 babies who stayed healthy, 28 per cent slept on used mattresses. David Tappin, senior lecturer at the Scottish Cot Death Trust, based at the hospital, said: "Most child mattresses are made of foam blocks, like sponges.
Two thirds of the mattress is completely covered in plastic, but the top third is often covered with a mesh. If a baby is sick, the vomit soaks straight into the foam and stays there."Bacteria can remain in foam for a long period, and so if more saliva and vomit enters the mattress, say from another baby, the bacteria warms up and multiplies."The research found that the risk of death increased if the mattress was from another home, and was particularly high if the infant was sleeping on the used mattress at the time of death.The research is published in this week's British Medical Journal. Cot death remains the biggest cause of death among babies aged one month to one year.Dr Tappin said: "Our research does not prove a definite risk but to avoid potential risk, parents should use a new mattress for each infant."The right bedding for your baby It is important to ensure that you only use light blankets in your baby’s cot: overheating can increase the risks of cot death. Use one or more layers of light blankets, depending on the room temperature.
Remember that one blanket doubled over counts as two blankets. If you choose to use a baby sleeping bag, choose one that doesn’t have a hood. Ensure that you choose the right size for your baby, so that your baby can’t slip down inside the neck. It is also important to choose the correct “tog” value for the time of year. You will find details about the tog value on the packaging. Different brands will have different tog values, so it is important to to read the packaging carefully before you use the sleeping bag. You don’t need to use any other blankets if you use a sleeping bag. Cot mattresses should be firm, not soft. Mattresses which are “ventilated” with large holes are not recommended as it isn’t possible to keep the inside clean. Research shows that there is an increased risk of cot death for babies sleeping on a mattress that was previously used by another baby. This risk was very small if the other baby was an older sibling in the same family but higher if the mattress was second hand from another home.
It is recommended that a new mattress is used for each new baby. However, if you are not able to do this, use the one you have as long as it is completely covered with a waterproof cover (e.g. PVC) and that the cover has no tears, cracks or punctures. Ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned and dried. You should never place a baby to sleep on a pillow, bean-bag, water-bed or pillow, and you shouldn’t use hot water bottles or electric blankets. Babies under 1 year old should not have pillows, duvets, bumpers, positioners or soft toys in their cot, as these are all suffocation hazards. Do not place a hat on a baby’s head when putting them down to sleep, unless it has specifically been recommended for medical reasons. Return to Reduce the Risks guidelinesThere's no doubt about it: having a baby is expensive. After buying a stroller, crib, clothing, feeding supplies, diapers and other essentials, your wallet can quickly empty out. It's natural to begin looking for ways to save money on all the items you need for baby, and one way is by buying used items.
While some used items are good news for your wallet and your new baby, there are some safety concerns to consider; this is especially true when it comes to used crib mattresses. When buying a used crib mattress, you cannot be 100 percent sure of the care or abuse it went through while being used previously. An infant can be particularly dirty due to diaper leaks or spilled milk; all of these things can collect on a crib mattress and lead to moisture and mold growth if not cleaned properly. In addition, if the crib mattress was not kept in a cool, dry place, moisture can seep into the mattress, harboring bacteria and fungi growth. If you have a crib mattress that was used for an older child in your home, and you know that it was well cared for and stored properly, it likely poses no risk to your baby. While the standard crib mattress is at least 27 1/4 inches by 51 5/8 inches and no more than 6 inches in height, not all cribs are made to these exact specifications and an ill-fitting crib mattress can pose a significant health risk.
, a proper-fitting crib mattress should not have enough space between the mattress and the sides of the crib to fit two fingers snugly. A crib mattress should be firm to properly support your baby and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A used crib mattress might lose some firmness and could develop dips and bulges due to improper use or storage. Additionally, the condition of the mattress is vital. Do not use a mattress with tears, exposed springs or filling, or one that smells of mildew or dampness. In the November 2002 “British Medical Journal,” a study was published by Scotland researchers that provided a possible link between the use of a pre-owned crib mattress and infant death from SIDS. The study found that an infant was up to three times more likely to die from SIDS when using a secondhand crib mattress. While the study did not find a firm cause-and-effect relationship between the use of an old mattress and SIDS, it did find sufficient evidence to warrant concern when accepting a used mattress from someone else’s home.
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