Using a simulated six-month-old mannequin, the suffocation-risk test measures the blockage of the infant’s airway when face-down . The mannequin is placed on the mattress being tested and pressure is applied to the back of the mannequin’s head.
If the mattress is soft, the head will compress into the surface and block the infant’s nose; if the mattress is firm, the infant’s nose will not be blocked.
In reality, all firm crib mattresses will pass this test–even crib mattresses with plastic covers! Imagine breathing for any extended period of time when your head is face down on a plastic surface and you understand why this test is not reassuring. It’s not measuring the right risk!
SIDS experts believe carbon dioxide rebreathing is the common risk factor associated with infant sleep related deaths, not blocked airways. Carbon dioxide can suppress breathing if inhaled over a period of time making it toxic.
Carbon dioxide rebreathing occurs when an infant has something impeding the dissipation of their exhaled air, such as a blanket over their head, or lying with their face close to a bumper pad, or lying on their tummy with their arm or hand near their face. Something is blocking the bad air from moving away from the infant’s face.
Most infants when rolling onto their tummy will turn their head to avoid rebreathing. But some will not, and we don’t know how to identify these infants.
An infant takes a breath every 1-2 seconds. It takes, on average, two minutes for carbon dioxide to dissipate on most crib mattresses. For some crib mattresses that claim to be “breathable”, it takes as long as three minutes, meaning carbon dioxide will always be present for baby to breathe in.
Carbon dioxide dissipates in less than half a second on the SafeSleep® Breathe-Through Crib Mattress, meaning the carbon dioxide on the SafeSleep® Breathe-Through mattress is gone before your baby takes their next breath– even if face straight down.
We give you scientific data and study references, not false claims! Scientific Data & Peer Reviewed Study References >
The Science of Safe Sleep Continues to Advance, and We are Pleased that We Have Been Able to Accelerate the Progress!
Results: The SafeSleep® Crib Mattress has a 10 fold decrease in carbon dioxide accumulation compared to a firm crib mattress. It takes 2 minutes for carbon dioxide to dissipate on a firm crib mattress with a tight sheet; it takes less than 1/2 a second for it to dissipate on the SafeSleep® Crib Mattress. An infant takes a breath every 1-2 seconds, meaning the carbon dioxide (poisonous gasses) would be gone before the infant takes their next breath of air – even if face straight down.
Our testing is based on the most recent US ASTM standards. However, we pride ourselves that we go beyond, using more stringent international testing standards.
OEKO-TEX® Certified Fabrics
The fabrics used for SafeSleep® products are all tested using STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. OEKO-TEX® certified fabrics means textiles were tested for harmful substances.