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doris
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| Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 9:48am | IP Logged
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I've always laid my newborns down on a sheepskin -- one in their Moses basket and one to play downstairs. They've all been good sleepers and it worked especially well when away from home as the sheepskin was something familiar.
Now I'm preparing for my new little one and doing some reading, and I see that some places advise that sheepskins shouldn't be used because of increased risk of SIDS. Having looked further in to it, it seems that the cases of SIDS that have occurred after the baby is on a sheepskin have often also had the baby to sleep on its front. And I really don't believe the argument that sheepskins cause babies to overheat -- they really kept my guys cool in the summer as well as warm in the winter.
Bottom line is, I can't imagine laying a baby down on a (relatively) cold sheet instead of a lovely cosy sheepskin. But of course if there really is an increased risk of SIDS, I won't do it.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me? My pregnancy brain is seriously addled and on top of that, my hormonal state means that I can't be at all objective...
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Home educating in London, UK with dd (2000) ds (2002), dd (2004), ds (2008) and dd (2011).
Frabjous Days
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 10:05am | IP Logged
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Elizabeth ~ getting close now!!
I haven't read the studies and such, but all of my children have slept on a lammie for the first year ~ on their bellies even. They sleep within arms reach of me at night, and I firmly believe that cuts the risk of SIDS tremendously.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
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Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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chicken lady
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| Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 10:15am | IP Logged
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My son died of SIDS nearly 2 years ago. Since then I have heard and read every possible reason under the sun. Bottom line from my research, they have NO idea! For example: it has commonly been assumed smoking, bottle feeding, immunizations, sleeping on the tummy, have all been directly linked to SIDS. We had none of these factors.
As a parent of a SIDS baby, please don;t drive yourself crazy looking for answers, I have done it enough for you. As for the sheepskin, all my babies EXCEPT Oliver had their own new "lambie" to sleep on. I intend to buy one for this baby.
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asplendidtime
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I read about the mildew mattress theory, and this was a study done in New Zealand I thought... The theory is that there are chemicals they use as a flame retardant, that actually cause a mold to grow, which is also naturally present in sheepskins.
In New Zealand they say that they removed this chemical from baby mattresses, but Native peoples there who use sheepskins, are notorious for having a higher rate of SIDS.  And their rates of SIDS have not decreased...
The governments in the UK and New Zealand have been concerned enough about the chemical to ban it's use...
Sounds like a snopes.com article doesn't it? 
Well here is the info, Criblife 2000
I have a friend in New Zealand and she says that they really have eliminated this chemical from baby mattresses.
HTH, we do put babies on their backs and do not use sheepskin or lambskins.
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Rebecca~Mama to
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mary theresa
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| Posted: Jan 19 2008 at 4:09pm | IP Logged
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I have heard of the SIDs and sheepskin link, but really, isn't Sids linked to many many things that may or may not be the cause?
I've actually heard that sheepskins are really "breathable."
FWIW, 7 of my 8 brothers and sisters slept face down on "softies" (as we called lambskins) and my 22mo has her own too, as does my 3 wk old. I lay her on her side now, but when her neck is a bit stronger, I'll put her on her tummy like I did with my last.
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Mary Theresa
mother to 3 little girls --March '06, Dec '07 and Jan '10
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c_rob
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| Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 5:02am | IP Logged
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My first three children all slept on lambskins and I used a lamb's fat based lanolin onmy nipples when breastfeeding. All had chronic asthma and my respiratory physician told me that extensive Australian research had linked the two. I used neither with my fourth and he is asthma free.
Perhaps the SIDS concern is linked to respiratory impairment.
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Christine, in Australia
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doris
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| Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 2:44pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much for the info and opinions. My problem is that some of these sites are far from unbiased. I've come across a couple now which appear to give impartial advice, but then up pops a link to buy an indispensable mattress cover to guard against SIDS.
It does seem that the bottom line is, no-one really knows.
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Home educating in London, UK with dd (2000) ds (2002), dd (2004), ds (2008) and dd (2011).
Frabjous Days
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: sheepskins and babies
