Vinyl crib mattress

[sunshinestarr]

We have one already. We've had it for a while now.

DS is 4 months and DH just put it together - it's in my (home) office so he can nap in it when I'm in there.

Anyway, I digress. The mattress is vinyl, which I hear is pretty dangerous and may even cause SIDS. Is there anything to do now that I have one already? Right now it's just airing out, not inside the actual crib, but lengthwise against the wall. Should I beat on it?? Is there any way for the chemicals to come out?? Since we're not using it at night, I don't mind letting it just air out for a while.

If we were going to do this again we'd get an organic one. But we can't do that now. Anyone have any ideas?

TIA!

[Bartock]

Originally Posted by sunshinestarr

We have one already. We've had it for a while now.

DS is 4 months and DH just put it together - it's in my (home) office so he can nap in it when I'm in there.

Anyway, I digress. The mattress is vinyl, which I hear is pretty dangerous and may even cause SIDS. Is there anything to do now that I have one already? Right now it's just airing out, not inside the actual crib, but lengthwise against the wall. Should I beat on it?? Is there any way for the chemicals to come out?? Since we're not using it at night, I don't mind letting it just air out for a while.

If we were going to do this again we'd get an organic one. But we can't do that now. Anyone have any ideas?

TIA!

I have never heard vinal contibutes to SIDS? Both my boys used and are still using vinal mats and along with everyone else that has babies, never heard of this are you sure you info is right? Not trying to be rude I have just never heard this.

[sunshinestarr]

nak

Shoot. I hope I'm not spreading false info. I'm going to try and find those sources and get back to you.

In the meanwhile - any way to get the present chemicals out?

ETA:
(still nak)

linky

try to get more later.

[3girlmom]

From what I've learned, the chemicals in mattresses are probably one of the dominant factors in SIDS. I didn't know this with the first batch of kids, but once I read more about it, I got rid of the old crib mattress and purchased an organic one for this child. The chemicals in regular mattresses do not come out, as the mattress breaks down, new chemicals are released. Because children have such a fast rate of cell turnover, organic mattresses and sheets are particularly important for them.

I know, boy, do I know, how expensive it is. Maybe a new mattress and only two flat sheets as a Christmas present??? Ebay can be good with this.

Sorry to be the bearer of expensive news.

[sunshinestarr]

Are you kidding?! No..!!! There has to be another way.. I don't live in the US and it would be very hard for me.

[3girlmom]

I dug around a bit and here's what I found for you.

http://www.savvysleeper.com/PDFs/Che...using-SIDS.pdf

It is so easy to drive yourself crazy trying to create a low or toxin-free environment for your family. I really wouldn't make yourself too crazy over the mattress if it's not possible for you to replace it. After all, as a pp said, most people are still using these mattresses. We're all doing the best we can.

[sunshinestarr]

Thanks so much 3girlmom! I think I'm going to try and get one of those covers for it. In the meanwhile, I'm going to just use a bassinet that we have. (Which is probably made of other evil stuff) You're right - it's so easy to get wrapped up in this. If it were up to me, there'd be no plastic, polyester, etc in the house at all! Hehee.

Thanks again.