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Interview with T.J Sprott About SIDS Prevention Continuing in the recent
coverage of the possible causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS), this week we have some interesting comments from TJ Sprott,
the developer of the BabeSafe crib mattress wrap and the author
of "The Cot Death Cover-up" which was published in New
Zealand in 1996 and in Britain in 1997 (Penguin Books). Optimal Wellness Center: A recent study showed that healthy infants tend to roll over into the prone position (on their stomachs) more than rolling over onto their backs (Early Hum Dev 2000 Sep;59(3):151-8) What do you think of this finding? TJ: The study is very interesting and very important. Babies can sleep safely in any position on a BabeSafe cover, because the crib death risk is eliminated. Actually, I recommend side sleeping, with the baby put down on alternate sides each time it is put down to sleep. OWC: If it is true that healthy babies "want" to be on their stomachs, and we are making all parents force the infants to sleep on their backs with the current "Back to Sleep" campaign in the US, then do you think that we may unintentionally be harming them by doing so? TJ: This unnatural advice IS doing babies harm. Have you looked into the "flat head" problem? It is very serious. Many parents have commented on how well their babies sleep on BabeSafe covers. This is readily understandable, because there are various "emanations" from crib mattresses. A baby's mattress (especially if previously used) is probably the most unhygienic item the baby ever comes into contact with. OWC: What are your opinions of cotton crib mattresses? TJ: No mattress may be used without wrapping unless it has been PROVED by expert chemical analysis to be free from chemicals containing phosphorus, arsenic and/or antimony. Statements from manufacturers have no validity unless supported by independent analysis. There is another problem. Laundry soaps/detergents often contain phosphates, and these cannot be rinsed completely from laundered items. Urine, etc. can cause phosphate to dissolve and accumulate in the mattress, and so provide a source of poisonous gas. EVERY mattress MUST be wrapped, except the BabeSafe mattress, which has its own integral cover. My policy as regards exposure to chemicals is one of "zero-tolerance". OWC: Would you advise getting a mattress without the flame retardant chemicals added? TJ: I regard flame retardant chemicals as superfluous and inherently dangerous. Many flame retardants stifle fires but in the process generate extremely poisonous gases. Then hazard from the gases is probably greater than that from the fire. I am informed that in Britain, following the forced introduction of fire retardant into cot mattresses, the number of baby and child deaths from fires in mattresses rose sharply. OWC: I think that many of the cotton mattresses are being treated with boric acid for fire protection or are being wrapped in wool. TJ: I disapprove of both practices. Boric acid is a toxic compound, and wool normally contains phosphorus. OWC: What is your opinion on infants sleeping with their mothers. TJ: OK, so long as the parents' mattress is wrapped. I strongly recommend against bed-sharing on UN-wrapped mattresses, because parents' mattresses are, by definition, re-used mattresses. OWC: Can your product be used to wrap adult sized beds for when the infant sleeps with the mother or parents. TJ:
BabeSafe do not make adult size covers, though we have often been
asked about them. Parents should wrap their mattresses in thick,
clear, polyethylene sheeting, BUT IT IS VITAL THAT THEY USE THE
CORRECT SHEETING. Since 1995 I have provided a free testing service
for parents who wish to check on the quality of polyethylene for
mattress-wrapping. I don't like recommending sheet polyethylene
in other countries because of uncertainty about the quality of
the plastic in other countries. The advice to cover mattresses applies to every mattress on which a baby sleeps (except a BabeSafe mattress) and includes: adults' mattresses; mattresses of other children; and all mattresses made of or containing natural products such as sheep fleeces, goatskins, kapok, tree bark, coconut fibre, etc. The most convenient way to wrap a baby's mattress is by means of a BabeSafe mattress cover. BabeSafe covers are available in the following sizes:
BabeSafe mattresses are available in the following sizes:
BabeSafe mattresses do not require a BabeSafe cover. The cover is integral to the mattress. It is imperative to use the correct bedding on top of a BabeSafemattress or BabeSafe cover. Use a fleecy pure cotton (winceyette, flannelette) underblanket and tuck this in securely. Then make the bed using cot (crib) sheets and pure woollen or pure cotton overblankets. Do not use any of the following items in your baby's cot (crib):
BabeSafe products carry
the "Campaign Against Cot Death" logo. This guarantees
that they do not contain any detectable phosphorus, arsenic or
antimony. T J Sprott, OBE, MSc, PhD, FNZIC, Consulting chemist, Forensic scientist, 10 Combes Road, Auckland 5,New Zealand Phone & Fax 64-9-5231150 sprott@iconz.co.nz For more information visit Dr. Sprott's website: http://www.cotlife2000.com/ |