FAQ: Can Organic Bedding Truly Prevent SIDS? - Reducing Toxins Found in Baby Bedding and Beds May Reduce Chances of Crib Deaths.

Can organic bedding truly prevent SIDS?

Unlike traditional bedding, organic bedding is completely free of harmful chemicals and other toxins and may have some other properties that can reduce the risk of SIDS.

What Do We Know About SIDS? 

One of the most tragic facts about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is that the cause is still unknown. However, the Mayo Clinic states that based on their research, SIDS is most likely caused by a combination of three factors: some biological vulnerability such as a minor defect in the brain or heart that would likely escape detection, a critical developmental period and an environmental stressor. In many cases, it is believed that this environmental stressor could be the pesticides and other chemicals present in the baby's mattress and bedding.

What is Traditional Crib Bedding Made Of?

Traditional baby bedding is often made out of non-organic cotton and chemically-based synthetic fibers such as polyester. Cotton growers generally use large amounts of chemical fertilizer and pesticides throughout the growth process; these chemicals stay in the cotton indefinitely and build up in the human system over time. Polyester is oil-based and highly flammable and so has to be treated with chemical fire retardants.

How Can Organic Baby Bedding Reduce the Risk of SIDS?

The chemicals in traditional bedding are known to cause disruption of the endocrine system, at a critical development period this could be especially hazardous; organic bedding has none of these harmful chemicals. In addition, organic fibers breath better to help regulate body temperature so the baby will sleep better and not have the stress of overheating (another possible contributing factor of SIDS).

Does Organic Bedding Help Prevent SIDS?

Simply put, we don't know. There is no way at this point to be certain what really causes SIDS so there is no way to know what prevents it. What we do know is that our most acute exposure to chemicals which are proven to be harmful, and that can be introduced through breast milk or even in utero, is through our bedding. By switching to organic crib bedding we further reduce a new baby's exposure to these dangerous substances, which WILL help the baby's overall health and may very likely significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.