Campaign Against Crib Death - SIDS . 

We now offer 100% Cotton Crib Bedding.

Two scientists working independently, Barry A. Richardson, in England and T. James Sprott, PhD in New Zealand, have shown that the cause of Crib Death is toxic gases that are generated from elements found in commonly used baby mattresses and bedding materials.   Statistics show that by covering baby mattresses with non-toxic plastic and using all cotton bedding materials, the occurrence of Crib Death, or what is called SIDS in the U.S., can be drastically reduced and probably totally eliminated.  Information gathered by the New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS) shows a significant decline in the instances of Crib Death since a nationwide campaign was begun in 1994 to inform the public about the cause and prevention of Crib Death.  During the ten years for which the NZHIS has gathered information, not one instance of Crib Death, i.e. SIDS, has been reported for infants using the non-toxic BabeSafe mattress covers and bedding materials that were recommended. 

Mr. Richardson and Dr. Sprott found that most baby mattresses and some bedding materials contain small amounts of phosphorous, arsenic, and/or antimony which are used as fire retardants and as agents to make the plastic softer and more flexible.  In addition, a normally harmless fungus (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis) often grows on the mattresses.  Separately, none of these elements are dangerous but when the fungus interacts with the phosphorous, arsenic, and/or antimony, extremely poisonous gases are produced that affect the baby’s breathing and heart.   These toxic gases are heavier than air and therefore tend to linger inside the baby’s crib, thus causing the baby’s breathing and heart to stop.

Dr. Sprott developed a very simple and cost effective solution to this problem.  Simply wrap the mattress in a polyethylene BabeSafe cover which does not contain phosphorus, arsenic, or antimony and use only 100% pure cotton bedclothes on the crib.  Using Dr. Sprott’s specifications, BabeSafe safety mattress covers were developed and are now available to you at reasonable prices through our distribution center.

Click Here to Enter our Picture Gallery for a demonstration on how to wrap your mattress. 

Click Here to Enter our BabeSafe store. 

Crib Bedding:

  It is essential to use the correct bedding on a BabeSafe wrapped mattress.  Only 100% pure cotton or wollen may be used on top of a wrapped mattress.  In order to help you obtain the 100% pure cotton bedding which is required to prevent the toxic gases from forming on top of your BabeSafe mattress cover, we offer the following products:

1. 100% pure cotton flannel overblankets in 5 pastel colors with sewn edges without binding (28"x40").
2. 100% pure soft cotton flannel overblanket with binding (30"x42").  The binding is satin and approved by Dr. T.J. Sprott.
3. 100% pure soft thick cotton printed flannel in two patterns (40"x50"). 

This website has been dedicated in memory of Patrick who died of SIDS at 6½ months of age.

Patrick Jay McDonnell - Sept 21 2001 to April 9 2002

I didn't know Patrick very well.  I worked with his mother Marla, who is a nurse.  But, I will never forget the memory of his funeral and then reading shortly afterwards about Dr. Sprott's work in NZ.  Since then I have kept Patrick's memory alive as I have worked to spread the word to parents about how they can protect their babies from what happened to Patrick.

Barb Knoll CNM

Although I am a Nurse-Midwife, for legal reasons I am not able to dispense any medical advice.  My only purpose is to share the knowledge in this website with moms and dads and grandparents or any caregiver of infants. It is my desire to provide you with a safe environment for your baby.

NOTE: Use the information provided here as an educational resource for determining your options and making your own informed choices.  Baby Mattress Covers,LLC does not claim that mattress-wrapping has been 100% scientifically proven to prevent SIDS.  However, we believe that the fact that there have been no SIDS deaths among the vast number of babies in New Zealand who have slept on correctly wrapped mattresses is crucial information for parents.  This fact cannot be denied and should not be suppressed.  The evidence supporting this explanation is very compelling, and we believe that parents should be informed and have easy access to an inexpensive, non toxic, protective cover that is safe for babies and can certainly do no harm.