Research shows new cot mattress helps to keep baby ‘thermo-neutral’

With heat stress in babies shown by many studies¹ to be a contributory factor in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), new research² from a leading UK Professor of Infant Health has found that an innovative hollow cot mattress, used in conjunction with a sleeping bag, is better at keeping a baby in ‘thermo-neutral' conditions.

The year-long laboratory studies of normal infants by Peter Fleming, Professor of Infant Health and Developmental Physiology at Bristol University, demonstrate that the new PurFlo mattress, used alongside a sleeping bag, was effective in allowing infants to keep their core temperatures higher in cooler environments, than they could achieve when sleeping on conventional mattresses, thus helping babies to maintain their temperature more effectively. 

Professor Fleming says: "These results suggest the range of room temperatures in which the baby is in thermo-neutral conditions is wider for a baby in a sleeping bag on a PurFlo than on a conventional mattress. Thus babies are less likely to become too cold, and may be less likely to become too warm when using a sleeping bag on this mattress than on a conventional mattress."

Kathleen McGrath, paediatric nurse and director of the Medical Advisory Service says: "These findings underscore what we instinctively knew - that mattress choice is important for optimum baby sleep. Maintaining a sleeping baby's temperature is a common problem and thermal stress  is one of the contributory  factors to SIDS. And all new parents want their baby to sleep well - but we know from dealing with helpline enquiries that new parents are not prioritising mattresses when buying for a new baby. This research highlights the importance of changing the emphasis from the latest must-have designer baby item, to buying something that will genuinely improve a baby's health and wellbeing."

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths charity recommends a comfortable temperature of between 16-20C, which can be particularly difficult to maintain in the hot summer months (May to September) when temperature variation can be as much as 8.9C. July 2006 saw the year's greatest temperature fluctuation with a 10.8C swing in average outdoor temperature over one day- between a high of 23.3C and a low of 12.5C - and 2007 has seen equally erratic temperatures.

Designed by parents for parents, the PurFlo mattress was the brainwave of new mum Gail Whale who became concerned about her daughter's safety after watching the 1994 ITV Cook Report which suggested that fire retardant chemicals in baby mattresses might be linked to cot death (a theory subsequently shown to be incorrect). Dissatisfied with the baby mattresses on the market, Gail took matters into her own hands and designed a foam free version - permeable, fully washable and hollow - consisting of a mesh sheet fitted over an aluminium frame. After 10 years of development and rigorous testing, the matress was launched in early 2007.

Gail Whale says: "Temperatures have varied greatly this year - from the hot weather in April to the cool temperatures throughout June - and it is difficult for parents to know how best to keep their baby's temperature stable as they sleep. What to dress them in to sleep and what bedding to use is a minefield. We hope the PurFlo mattress helps give parents peace of mind that they are doing the best they can to provide an optimum sleeping environment for their baby."

In addition to the benefits of temperature control, the PurFlo is also the first-ever hygienic baby mattress - as it is fully washable and foam-free - so when washed at 60°C all dust mites are removed, preventing the harmful build-up of allergens which are known to aggravate childhood allergies such as eczema and asthma.

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For further information about PurFlo please contact us on tel. 01788 891 890 or to speak to Professor Fleming please contact Barry Taylor, University of Bristol on 0117 928 8867

Research

¹A. Sawczenko, P.J.Fleming.  Thermal Stress, Sleeping position and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Sleep 1996; 19: S267-70

² ‘Is the mattress important in helping babies keep warm? Paradoxical effects of a sleeping surface with negligible thermal resistance' was published in Acta Paediatrica, February 2007. Professor Peter Fleming, Professor of Infant Health and Developmental Physiology, Institute of Child Life & Health, University of Bristol

³ Met Office 2006 Monthly Weather Summuary -

Notes to editors

•·         For further information about PurFlo visit www.purflo.com

•·         The PurFlo range includes a cot mattress, cotbed mattress, sleepsacs and sheets

•·         For a store locator visit www.purflo.com