According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year in the U.S., about 3400 seemingly healthy babies die unexpectedly without obvious cause. Thus, their death is declared Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). So, it would be wonderful if a product like the Newton breathable crib mattress could prevent SIDS.
I still remember how terrified I was by the CDC data. I immediately started looking for products that could prevent SIDS. But can a baby product, like the Newton breathable crib mattress, prevent SIDS?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk.
While following safe sleep practices was and still is the best way to reduce the risk of SIDS, some baby products may also help. These products can help reduce the chances of certain conditions associated with SIDS occurring.
Does the Newton breathable crib mattress prevent SIDS?
It’s important to note that no product or method can completely prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)!
So, the real question should be whether a Newton breathable crib mattress can reduce known SIDS risks. Even the AAP’s safe sleep recommendations focus only on risk avoidance and can not 100% prevent SIDS!
The Newton breathable crib mattress underwent rigorous testing and is one of the safest and most breathable crib mattresses on the market! That is a fact!
With its 100% breathability, the Newton crib mattress certainly helps reduce the risk of suffocation caused by rolling onto the stomach while sleeping. Because suffocation may cause some deaths marked as SIDS, the Newton breathable crib mattress help reduce the risk of SIDS but can not prevent it!
Of course, breathability alone is not enough to be the safest option for your baby. The crib mattress must also fit in the crib, be firm, non-toxic, and offer a perfect blend of support and comfort.
This mattress has all the above features. You can see the details in our Newton Baby crib mattress review, or continue reading for a SIDS and AAP’s safe sleep practice explanation.
What is SIDS?
If a seemingly healthy baby suddenly dies during sleep, and they can not determine the cause, the infant’s death is declared Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is a rare condition most common in infants between 1 and 4 months of age.
SIDS is the diagnosis of exclusion used if we don’t know how to classify an infant’s death in the crib. Meaning the death scene investigation, an autopsy, and a clinical history review didn’t get conclusive results.
What causes SIDS?
The exact cause of SIDS is still unknown! Some research suggests that a combination of physical, environmental, and genetic factors may contribute to its occurrence, but nothing is scientifically proven yet.
Some of the factors associated with an increased risk of SIDS are:
- Abnormalities in the part of the brain that controls breathing and arousal from sleep.
- Impaired respiratory function due to a respiratory infection or other illness.
- Overheating from too many layers of clothing or bedding or sleeping in a room that is too warm.
- Sleeping on the stomach or side rather than on the back.
- Exposure to cigarette smoke, both during pregnancy and after birth.
- Prematurity or low birth weight.
- Lack of prenatal care or inadequate prenatal nutrition.
- Genetic factors may make some infants more vulnerable to SIDS.
Newton breathable crib mattress reduces the risk of rebreathing
Rebreathing occurs when the baby inhales their own exhaled carbon dioxide that has remained trapped around their face. It can happen if a blanket, pillow, or other soft materials cover the baby’s face and mouth or if they press their face to an unbreathable crib mattress. Even worse, if the crib mattress is soft and their face sinks into it. Luckily, the Newton crib mattress is breathable and firm enough!
By rebreathing, the baby’s bloodstream accumulates more and more carbon dioxide, causing a decrease in oxygen levels. This can be dangerous and potentially fatal and may increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in infants.
And this is another reason why high breathability, like on the Newton breathable crib mattress, helps reduce the risk of suffocating and potentially helps decrease the risk of SIDS.
Newton breathable crib mattress reduces the risk of overheating
If you overdress your baby during sleep, set the room temperature too high, or use blankets, a non-breathable crib mattress, crib sheet, or mattress pad, you may put your baby at risk of overheating.
Baby overheating occurs when a baby’s body temperature rises above normal levels, which can be dangerous and lead to serious health problems.
When a baby sleeps on a non-breathable mattress, their body heat can become trapped inside it, causing the temperature around the baby to rise. A breathable crib mattress, such as Newton Wovenaire, helps prevent this by allowing air to circulate through the mattress and dissipate the baby’s body heat.
However, while a breathable crib mattress can help regulate the baby’s body temperature and reduce the risk of overheating, following other safe sleeping practices is even more important. Those are using a breathable crib mattress sheet, proper room temperature, and keeping your crib bare.
You may also like: How To Clean The Newton Crib Mattress? | Care & Use
AAP safe sleep recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following safe sleep practices for babies sleeping in the crib to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, and other sleep-related accidents:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep until they are 1 year old.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet.
- Keep the crib bare. Any soft object in your baby’s crib (pillows, blankets, plush toys, bumpers, etc.) can increase the risk of suffocation or strangulation.
- Ensure your crib meets current safety standards, with slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and no missing or broken slats.
- Place your crib away from any hazards, such as windows, cords, or blinds, that could pose a risk to the baby.
- Maintain a comfortable room temperature between 68°F and 72°F to prevent overheating.
- Dress the baby in lightweight and snug-fitting clothing.
Other safe sleep recommendations:
- Using a pacifier at nap time and bedtime has been linked with reducing the risk of SIDS.
- Avoid exposing the baby to smoke, alcohol, and illicit drugs before and after birth.
- Consider breastfeeding as it may reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Share a room with the baby for at least six months, ideally for the first year of life, without bed-sharing.
Summary
The Newton breathable crib mattress can reduce the risk of suffocation and overheating, which are two factors associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
However, it is important to note that no product or method can completely prevent SIDS. So, the best way to reduce the risk of SIDS is to follow safe sleep recommendations and buy a crib and crib mattress that meets and exceeds all required safety standards.
The Newton breathable crib mattress is undoubtedly one of your best choices for a crib mattress. And for a crib, you can look at our list of the safest cribs on the market.