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Posted By Jane Ling
It's been one of those days today when I keep getting asked questions on unusual subjects.
We operate a small temporary (the tenancies not the houses) housing unit of furnished flats for homeless people including one family flat.
I have just been asked what the requirements are regarding the provision of a cot for babies. Someone has suggested that we may need to purchase a new cot for each new baby living in the flat as a prevention against possible cot death. The tenancies could last anything from one day to six months.
My questions are:
(a) Is this the case?
(b) If so do we need to change the whole cot or just the mattress.
Any advice on this welcomed. The manager of the unit is going to phone a hotel chain to see if they have any information.
Thanks
Jane
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Posted By Mike Draper
This is, without doubt, a sensitive issue.
If I may suggest a starting point, it would be prudent to discuss this issue with a medical practitioner (GP, paediatrician or midwife) and enquire exactly what are the principle risk factors that must be taken into account with respect to cot death.
However as a parent, I would be very surprised if the discussion even considered cot selection. Bedding might be a consideration (blankets v quilts, etc).
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Posted By Ron Impey
Hi Jane,
'Research has linked the use of cot mattresses with ventilated portions with SIDS (Sudden Infantile Death Syndrome). If vomit soaks into the mattress, large numbers of potentially harmful bacteria can breed, and subsequently become airborne and inhaled by the infant, causing a severe, life-threatening infection. Cot mattresses should be fitted with a PVC cover that completely covers them to prevent this from happening, or other suitable and effective measures taken. The PVC cover should be regularly sanitised. Many are suitable for machine washing at 60 degrees C.'
If the mattress complies with the above, and the cover has prevented contamination, there should be no need to change it between users.
For more information visit:
http://www.mattresskleen-canada.com/SIDS.htm
http://www.familymedicine.co.uk/sids.htm
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Posted By Jane Ling
Thanks to both of you for your replies.
Ron, thanks for your detailed response and the helpful references they are exactly what I'm looking for.
Jane
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Posted By Adrian Watson
Dear Jane,
This is a very emotive, but otherwise non-issue. The causes of SIDS are to a very large extend unknown! Whilst there are hypothoses about causation, there is little in the way of facts.
The simple solution is to remove the cot between occupant, sclean it, disinfect it and place it in a store until it is needed. If you try to discuss this on a rational basis, you will lose the argument as the other person will be coming from a emotive basis. From their point of view anything you say will be a means of avoiding paying for a new cot, "as your baby isn't using the cot, are they?"
Regards Adrian Watson
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Posted By Jonathan Breeze
Jane,
Adrian has a point here, Cot Death is a very emotive subject and one which is probably beyond the competencies of most Safety Practitioners (myself included.)
However, here is a link, via the BBC website, to some recently published research or the latest theory on Cot Death which I recently read:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4708086.stm
From what is reported, this study focusses on the breathing reflex in babies, rather than mattresses or vomiting etc.
I hope it helps.
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