AboutMary Pat, R.N. Expertise I am happy to answer general non-diagnostic questions on infant & child care, infant & toddler feedings, discipline, illnesses, and how to access resources for the child with special needs.
Experience I am a pediatric R.N. with 40 years experience first as manager of a community hospital pediatric department & 11 years working in a private pediatric practice. I have managed more than 100,000 phone calls from parents in private practice.
Expert: Mary Pat, R.N. Date: 7/20/2005 Subject: Baby Mattress
Question Good Evening,
I am going to be a new mom as of Sept 7th and am really having a difficult time with choosing a baby mattress. I understand that firmness is important to prevent sids. I really want to have peace of mind seeing this is my first time. I am sure lots of women experience the same uncertainties, therefore any information you can pass along would be a huge help.
I was looking into that Halo Active-Airflow crib mattress. This is the desc:
Reduce the risk of re-breathing while providing your baby a comfy place to sleep! The Halo Active-Airflow Crib Mattress is designed with a built-in fan to circulate air up through the mattress and bedding. The Halo Active-Airflow is the only mattress on the market that's been clinically proven to reduce the risk of re-breathing.
Here are the features:
# Pediatrician recommended (as published in Pediatrics, April 2000)
# Fits any standard crib
# Filter removes over 90% of airborne allergens
# Wrap-around mattress pad offers a secure fit
# Hum of fan soothes your baby to sleep
# Exceeds federal mattress flammability standards
The only thing is, I do not see any information about coils, etc..so even though it says it is a good crib to prevent sids, there are not many reviews on it because it's new to the market.
Again, I appreciate any assistance you can give to me and hope you are having a nice week.
Warmest Regards,
Heather Watkins
Answer Dear Heather:
This is such an exciting time in your life don't be obsessed with finding a mattress advertised the best to prevent SIDS.
I would not recommend your investing a lot of money in this type of mattress. I would be concerned about the filter in side of it and what could be growing in it in the way of bacteria and molds and how one would one clean it.
The best advice I can give you is to buy an extra firm, washable surface crib mattress perhaps made by Simmons and a nice hypo allergenic mattress pad with very secure tight fitting crib sheets.
I have never heard of the mattress you have mentioned and at the same time am suspicious that it costs a lot of money and personally, a mattress I have suggested to you is the safest of all.
Crib bumpers should be made of cloth and be able to be snugly secured to the crib slats. I do not recommend canopies or canopy ribbons hanging down.
Go with something less complex, simple, firm and safe.
