[KermitMissesJim]

my parents brought me their sheepskin that was on their rocker all my life. It's not shorn and I need to clean it. I googled "sheepskin in crib" and found a baby mattress manufacturer's website that said sheepskins increase the risk of SIDS. I was under the impression that a sheepskin was the perfect thing to put baby on to sleep, as it keeps them cool in summer, warm in winter and does well with urine.

So is it not good?

 

[Ruthie's momma]

Today, the AAP (and other bodies of "authority") advise against placing a sheepskin in baby's sleeping area. It is feared that it can increase the risk of SIDS. The fluffy nature of sheepskin may lead to suffocation. I am not sure if covering the sheepskin with a fitted sheet would reduce this risk. Maybe other mommas can help...

Now, this is not to say that a sheepskin is not a great addition to your baby's essentials. It is great for helping to regulate your little one's body temp, during both cool and warm weather. Plus, it is just a super cozy surface for your LO to spend time on! You could use it in a variety of applications:

*Placed in a moses basket (or on the couch!), it would be great for naps (this way, you can always keep an eye on your babe)

*Use it as a massage mat

*It is perfect for floor time. Your baby will be able to hang out on a super comfy surface.

*Plus, you could lay it in a jogging stroller. It would be perfect in helping keep your little one comfortable on long walks or runs.

A lot of NICUs use sheepskins because of their many benefits, too.

 

[diamond lil]

I have a hard time accepting the notion that "things" cause SIDS. My sister is a good one for this. She told me that crib bumpers cause SIDS. No, crib bumpers can cause suffocation if a baby rolls up to it and cannot breathe. That is not SIDS. That is suffocation.

Personally, I believe that SIDS is a term that was invented to cover vaccine-related deaths.

I think your sheepskin will be fine. In fact, I have been looking online for a sheepskin for my 3 month old's co-sleeper.

 

[ema-adama]

I had a sheep skin as a baby and wanted to use one with DS. People got really freaked out and worried me. I found that he did sleep better on the sheepskin, with a cotton sheet spread over it...

 

[Twinklefae]

If a fluffly sheepskin is going to cause suffocation, then the baby died of suffocation, not SIDS.

I'd use it, if I had one.

 

[aylaelise]

My 7 mo old loves his and am so glad he can stay cozy and warm on it! I just have to figure out how to clean the thing besides shaking it out and leaving it in the sun.

 

[trancechylde]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aylaelise My 7 mo old loves his and am so glad he can stay cozy and warm on it! I just have to figure out how to clean the thing besides shaking it out and leaving it in the sun.

When I asked this question a few months ago a helpful Mama told me to put it in the washing machine on the wool cycle with no detergent, just a few drops of Tea Tree Oil.
HTH

 

[lilylove]

I don't understand the thickness leading to sids argument. Are they thinking a newborn will plant themselves face down and suffocate? (yes I know totally different then sids anyway!) How thick and dense do they think these sheepskins are and who lets a baby snooze that way anyhow? I'm very skeptical of that theory, and would want to see an independent, well done study.
I used sheepskins for Ds and now Dd, we love them.

 

[Momma2DoubleCuties]

I've used sheepskin on all my babes, they love them!! Wool contains lanolin a natural "cleaning agent" so you don't really need to wash them unless they get poop or something equal as dirty. Whenever my babes pee'd on their I'd just blot it dry, I've never had any trouble with them. I've only washed them 2 times in about 3 years. We love ours! I wish I had one giant one to sleep on. It's gotta be so comfy!

 

[baileyann3]

where_do_you_get_these_magic_blankets

 

[KermitMissesJim]

Since my parents' is 28 years old I think I will run it through the wash with some TTO. I guarantee it never got cleaned while they had it.

I know it's not to be put in the dryer, rather laid flat to dry and brushed with a wire brush a couple of times during the drying process.

 

[KermitMissesJim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileyann3 where_do_you_get_these_magic_blankets

Well, you can order them online. I know you can buy them in Santa Fe but that doesn't really help you.

 

[wannabe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamond lil I have a hard time accepting the notion that "things" cause SIDS. My sister is a good one for this. She told me that crib bumpers cause SIDS. No, crib bumpers can cause suffocation if a baby rolls up to it and cannot breathe. That is not SIDS. That is suffocation.

No, crib bumpers cause SIDS and suffocation

Sheepskins cause SIDS

Quote:

Sheepskin bedding and the sudden infant death syndrome. New Zealand Cot Death Study Group. Mitchell EA, Thompson JM, Ford RP, Taylor BJ. Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, New Zealand. We carried out a nationwide case-control study, comparing 393 case patients with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with 1592 control subjects, in order to examine sheepskin bedding as a risk factor. Sheepskin use was similar for case patients and control subjects (both, 42%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% CI = 0.92, 1.79). Sheepskin use among the control subjects was associated with socioeconomic advantage. The relative risk for SIDS with sheepskin use was significantly increased in the infants placed prone to sleep (adjusted OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.08, 2.67), but not for infants placed in the supine or lateral position (adjusted OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.45, 1.48). An interaction between sheepskin use and bed sharing was also found. Sheepskin use was associated with a decreased risk of SIDS among infants sharing beds (adjusted OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.38, 0.99), but an increased risk among infants not bed sharing (adjusted OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.32, 3.86). We conclude that if an infant needs to be placed prone to sleep for medical reasons, a sheepskin should not be used as underbedding. However, for infants placed supine to sleep, sheepskins are not associated with an increased risk of SIDS.

 

[Tizzy]

I have sheepskins for both my boys, the toddler still uses his in bed.

I did not use them when they were newborns, the fuzziness bothered them when they turned their head to the side. I'll have to remember the sheet over top trick for the next one!

Both boys LOVE them. They are perfect too for the warmth and coolness factor.

As for cleaning? I just throw them in the wash with everything else. They come out just fine. If I need it right away I'll even throw it in the dryer with no issues.
If they get a little matted down, I use a dog brush to fluff them up.

As for where to find them? My MIL picked these ones up at the local farmers market.
They are called "infant care" sheepskins. It should be easy enough to order them online.

 

[kim.mpls]

I bought mine at IKEA (smaller size $29). (And I still have the one I had as a kid). We use one under her co-sleeper sheet, and one on the floor/in the swing/in the pack and play.