| |
| |
|
Babies & Toddlers Information |
|
|
|
How to Protect Your Baby from SIDS
What do These Things Have in Common: An Epidemic of Baby Deaths in 1890, An Ambassador's Sudden Illness, Swamp Gas, and Old Mattresses? The Answer Could Save Your Baby's Life! All of these are clues which have brought scientists to the startling answer to the question, "Why do babies die of SIDS?" For unknown reasons, parents of healthy babies wake only to find to their horror, their babies have died in the night. This was called Crib Death in the U.S.A., or Cot Death in the U.K. It is now called by the acronym SIDS for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Little is known of this tragic malady except for statistics:
It was a New Zealand pediatrician who discovered this last statistic while questioning the mothers of SIDS babies. Using this statistic alone, he recommended infants be put to sleep on their backs instead of their stomachs. This works beyond a doubt. Countries who have adopted this "Back to Sleep" recommendation have seen a 38% drop in the rate of SIDS. The problem with this recommendation: Clues to a Present Epidemic from a Past One In Italy in the 1890's more than one thousand babies died in a mysterious epidemic. A green pigment called Paris Green was all the rage at that time and was used extensively in fabrics in Italian homes. This pigment was made from a chemical process which contained arsenic. Arsenic, when in contact with mold or mildew produces a heavier-than-air gas called arsine. This gas collected on the floors where the Italian babies crawled. They died without outward symptoms. 60 years later, in 1955 this knowledge helped diagnose the sudden illness of the American Ambassador to Italy, Claire Booth Luce. She became seriously ill while sleeping in her room at the embassy. She was suffering from arsine poisoning. Mildew feeding on arsenic in her wallpaper's paste and ceiling paint had created the gas which made her seriously ill, ending her career. In 1989 an English chemist, Dr. Barry Richardson studied the mattresses on which 200 infants had died of SIDS. He was searching for gasses thought to be causing these deaths. Being a renowned chemist with 247 published scientific papers to his credit; Dr. Richardson knew mildew and mold feeding on chemicals often produces gasses. The most common being ammonia created from microbes feeding on nitrogen. Phosphorus is a common element. Its gas, called phosphine is commonly created in swamps by microbes feeding on the phosphorus found there. This gas sometimes is ignited by methane rising from the swamp and creates a phenomenon known as "swamp fires." The suspected gasses in the SIDS deaths were; arsine from arsenic, phosphine from phosphorus, and stibine from the element antimony. The lethal effects of arsine are well known due to the disastrous epidemic in Italy. Phosphine has properties similar to mustard gas. The Technology Transfer Network Air Toxics Website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says of phosphine, "Phosphine is used as an insecticide for the fumigation of grains, animal feed, and leaf-stored tobacco. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to phosphine may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, burning substernal pain, nausea, vomiting, cough, labored breathing, chest tightness, pulmonary irritation, pulmonary edema, and tremors in humans." The U.S. Dept. of Labor's website lists the symptoms of stibine as: "Headaches; weakness; nausea, abdominal pain; lumbar pain; hemoglobinuria, hematuria; hemolytic anemia; jaundice; lung irritation." The Health effects: "Acute Systemic Toxicity." An Idea + A Simple Invention = Lives Saved In 1986 Dr. J. T. Sprott, a New Zealand Chemist, suggested SIDS deaths were caused by poisoning from gasses which were generated from chemicals in the babie's mattresses. He developed a mattress cover which is free of the suspected chemicals and impermeable to gasses. Although he was ridiculed for his lack of scientific data and his lack of "blind studies," NO BABIES who have slept with their mattresses covered with the cover Dr. Sprott developed have died in New Zealand. Finally an Explanation for the Statistics! Mildew and mold need two things to thrive: warmth and moisture. Both are found in abundance in crib mattresses with the infants supplying both. The longer a mattress is in use the more time fungus spores and microbes have to take hold and grow. Modern mattresses, usually made of polyvinyl chloride burn readily and break down into their original components, releasing gasses. This is called out-gassing. Arsenic, antimony, and phosphorus, along with even more chemicals are added to mattresses to slow this breakdown and as a fire retardant. Dr. Sprott, Dr. Richardson and other scientists surmised that molds and mildew in the infant's mattresses were feeding on the added chemicals causing the formation of toxic gasses. The babies were breathing in these gasses. Not being able to move away or lift themselves, they died. This explains why:
Dr. Richardson's research on the 200 SIDS related mattresses released to him by local coroners showed every mattress infected by the Scopulariopsis brevicaulis fungus from the babies' sweat and other body moisture. Every mattress had at least one of the chemicals, phosphorus, antimony and arsenic. He found also that 95% of these mattresses had been used by a previous baby. Why isn't this shouted from the rooftops? Critics of Richardson's theory argue that there has been no controlled study on this subject so therefore there is no scientific evidence backing it up. Dr. Richardson used newspapers and television to warn of his findings before he published a paper on it. This led to his being accused of unscientific behavior, i.e. "unnecessarily frightening mothers." Dr. Sprott also found himself at odds with the scientific community for much the same reasons. He blatantly claimed his protective covering prevented SIDS. This infuriated the medical establishments. As a rebuttal: The use of phosphorus and antimony as fire retardants in mattresses has not been scientifically proven to be safe, especially for infants. The answer to the accusation of no controlled studies: No ethical person in his right mind would use infants as guinea pigs in a controlled study of this subject. The proof, as with the proof of the benefits of the "Back to Sleep" campaign, comes with time. How Can You Protect Your Baby? No matter what controversy surrounds this theory, no matter if the theory is untested, if is wrong, or if there is something else in these mattresses causing these deaths, the action for a responsible parent to take is clear:
Whether Dr. Richardson is right or not, these steps will cause no harm to your precious baby, and may just save his life. References: *Baby's Bedding: Is It Creating Toxic Nerve Gases? By Joanne B. Quinn, RMA, PhD. Midwifery Today Newsletter. Crib Death Cause and Prevention by DR. J.T. Sprott http://www.babymattresscovers.com//images/crib_death_synopsis.pdf Dr Sprott's website for baby mattress covers. http://babymattresscovers.com/ Website for natural, organic wool pillows and bedding for infants and adults. www.WoolieBeesOnline.com U.S. Dept. of Labor's website. http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_267900.html Technology Transfer Network Air Toxics Website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/phosphin.html National SIDS & Infant Death Program Support Center http://www.sidsalliance.org/health/health_human.html Biography of Claire Booth Luce http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/luce-cla.htm The Italian Epidemic http://www.criblife2000.com/gosio.htm Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved SharpWriting.net This special report has been brought to you by WoolieBees Online. See our selection of pure organic woolen bedding made from 100% New Zealand wool. WoolieBeesOnline.com Suzy Sharpe, copywriter and author is always asking why. She has a need to know the reason behind something and isn't satisfied until she finds out. When hearing the "Back to Sleep" campaign was saving babie's lives she needed to understand the reason. This report is the result of her research.
MORE RESOURCES:
Babies - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Family Baby Showers The addition of baby number 2, 3, or 10 is an occasion to celebrate for any family.Just think how exciting it must be for your littlest one who is used to always being the younger brother to find out he's going to be a big brother!Though baby showers have traditionally been held for mommies-to-be only, times are changing and many people are having baby showers to celebrate the new baby's whole family-to-be. Benefits of Making Your Own Homemade Baby Food Making your own homemade baby food will ensure that what your child is eating is fresh, nutritious and free of additives. By making your own baby food, you'll be saving money. Welcome an Adopted Baby into the Family with an Adoption Baby Shower The addition of a new child to a family is a wonderous occasion! An adopted baby is just as much a miracle as any other and should be celebrated as such.And all babies need "stuff", even an adopted child, so having an adoption baby shower for this child is not only acceptable, but necessary. Baby Shower for Second Baby Having a shower for second baby used to be considered greedy and unacceptable. But now it is not only acceptable, but it is actually necessary for some families to have a baby shower for second baby. Baby Girl Clip Art The online baby girl clip art images help you to design attractive invitation cards and e-greetings easily. The World Wide Web is a great storehouse of information on any subject matter (we too are aiming to contributing to this store). 10 Items of the Well-Stocked Diaper Bag Does your diaper bag have everything you need in it? Of course, you have the basic items: diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. But are you equipped for any "baby situation" that could possibly arise? It may seem like a lot of gear, but if you bring along the following baby paraphernalia when you head out, you'll be ready for just about anything. Baby Shower Decorations When decoration for a baby shower, there are a few key aspects that should be considered:1) Will your baby shower adhere to a theme?Visit our baby shower theme for ideas about selecting a theme. If you are using a theme, then it is good to be consistent. Baby Slings - Comfort for Both the Child and the Parent Baby slings are one of those things that have been in existence for thousands of years but have only just recently made a comeback in modern society. It's hard to imagine how previous generations of mothers manage without something like baby sling carriers to help them carry their babies. What to Do if the Baby Shower Guests Dont Know Each Other A baby shower is a simple celebration of family and friends to celebrate the upcoming birth of a new baby. It is a great tradition around the world in many religions and ethnicities. Weaning A Baby Onto Solid Food The best time to wean your baby onto solid food is at about age 6 months. This is because your baby's mouth will start to change around that time to help her cope with the transition. Baby Strollers - Frequently Asked Questions Baby Strollers are one of the major purchases you will make for your baby. There are different types of strollers and in each category there are a variety of models. New Parents Rely on Other Moms & Dads to Prepare for Baby When most new parents are preparing for the arrival of baby this Spring, more often than not, they will not be sure what they will need as the dizzying array of options can be overwhelming. Rather than relying on recommendations by corporate America, many new parents and their loved ones are turning to products invented by other moms and dads that were created to solved real-world parenting challenges. Perfect Baby Shower Idea List for Necessity Type Baby Gifts Perfect Baby shower idea lists for necessity type baby gifts. By necessity type baby gifts, I mean items which every expecting mother needs. Helping Your Baby Develop Character How Can We Help Children Learn about Character?Children learn about strong character when parents and other adults in their daily lives· set a good example through their own behavior and actions,· set and communicate high standards and clear expectations,· coach them on how to be responsible and kind, and· use literature to reinforce the values of strong character.Set a Good ExampleWe are always teaching our children something by our words and our actions. Baby Shower Favors to Spice up Your Baby Shower Baby Shower Favors should be at every baby shower for its guests. Cute little items, items that are easily available, are perfect for your baby shower. Potty Training After a Divorce or Separation Many parents share custody of their children, which presents a unique problem when it comes to potty training. It's best to discuss potty training and agree on a strategy before you start. Creative Potty Training When I was potty training my two young boys, I discovered this method of potty training that made it an enjoyable, yet very effective way to potty train toddlers.First, make sure your child is ready for potty training, shows interest, wants "big kids pants" etc. Learning Activities For Your Baby Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 year Sharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and to start him on the road to becoming a reader. What You Need Cardboard or cloth books with large, simple pictures of things with which babies are familiar Lift-the-flap, touch- and-feel, or peek-through play books (For suggestions, see Resources for Children,What to Do?Read to your baby for short periods several times a day. Shared Dancing has Benefits for Babies and New Moms Alike Every parent knows the calming effects on their baby of rocking and gentle motion. After all, who among us has not paced the floor at 2 am trying to entice a little one back to sleep by rocking, bouncing or swaying?While you may not be able to do much about those late night pacing sessions, you can capitalise on your baby's love of rhythmical movement to benefit both of you in many other ways as well. Special Considerations for the Premature Baby Every parent hopes and prays that their newborn will be healthy and safe. Normally a pregnancy lasts nine months.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
