memory foam mattess topper and SIDS?

Question

so we recently bought a 2inch thick memory foam mattress topper for our bed. both my babies have slept in our bed with us. i was wondering what if anything anyone knows about these memory foam matress toppers in relation to SIDS.

im not asking for your opinion on co-sleeping. obviously if it isnt safe with the topper i wouldnt put her in my bed, but if it isnt a problem i would like to keep it on. if it isnt safe she will actually be sleeping in a bassinet next to our bed. if you all read the whole question i asked what do you "know" about the safety aspect of it, not what do you think...

Answer 1

I learned about this in my human development class. It does increase the risks for SIDS. Studies show that the mattress should be firm. After the researchers got the word out, SIDS decreased by 30%. If that tells you anything. Without the topper, co-sleeping is fine. I sleep with my little one.

Answer 2

i also had a memory foam topper when my son was a newborn, and after seeing the way the foam formed up around his face, i was terrified to let him sleep on it. rather than remove the mattress topper, i slept with him on my chest for about 4 weeks (that was just my preference), and then when he got heavier, moved him to a firmer co-sleeping surface that my husband and i kept between us. there are lots of great products available for that purpose, with little ventilated walls to keep baby safer.... or you could just take off the topper for a few months. but i really wouldn't let a newborn sleep on it.

i am glad to see some positive co-sleeping comments in this forum ... it is a personal decision for each family, and there are definite benefits, especially for nursing moms! the majority of the cases of SIDS with co-sleeping occurred with moms who were drinkers or smokers.

good luck to you!

Answer 3

First off we have three beautiful children and they all slept with us while they were babies. Since I was a nursing mother it just felt like the right thing to do. I didn't want my baby to be in a bed all by him/herself. I don't like sleeping alone. I love having hubby beside me. Now, all of you can yell at me for saying all this but I believe if you are a fairly light sleeper you are not going to roll over on your baby. HONESTLY!!! Do you roll over on your husband? As far as your question goes YES take that off until the baby is at least a year. It can form to the babies face and stop them from breathing. Weather your baby sleeps with you or not is a very personal decision and nobody has a right to tell you you are wrong.

Answer 4

I wouldn't let them sleep in the bed with you no matter what kind of mattress it was. The risk of SIDS is higher when they're sleeping with you then when they are in their own crib because you could roll over on them and suffocate them, they could get smothered in a blanket, or get their head stuck under a pillow. It's much more dangerous then laying them in a crib with no blankets or pillows. Get a bassinet to go next to your bed (if they are still small enough) or put the crib in your room.

Answer 5

if you have to ask the question then you should not use it. Actually you should put your baby in its own bed. Just laying against you can cause sids. But its your baby. If you want to take the chance it is your baby.

Answer 6

I heard they are bad because the baby could suffocate from the foam fitting her face.

Answer 7

Why would you risk it? I am assuming you would rather have your baby alive, so stop endangering his/her life and put them in a crib.

Answer 8

i wouldnt take that chance.. take it off for now. its softer and definitely not worth the risk

Answer 9

Go to www.babysake.com.