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Plastic wrapping of cot mattresses: results from a pilot study
E A Mitchell1, K Subramaniam, J Blackburn
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland. e.mitchell@auckland.ac.nz
Aim:
To assess the prevalence of plastic wrapping of cot mattresses and their thickness.
Methods:
Mothers of infants less than six months attending Plunket clinics in Central Auckland were interviewed. The thickness of the plastic was measured.
Results:
99 of 110 (90%) mothers invited to participate were visited at home. The sample was socioeconomically advantaged. Most infants were breastfed and few slept prone. The prevalence of plastic wrapped cot mattresses was 23.2%, of which sixteen (out of 23) used BabeSafe and seven used other types. The mean thickness of the BabeSafe was 0.15 mm (range 0.12-0.19 mm) and the other types were 0.10 mm (range 0.04-0.13 mm). One sample of plastic was 0.04 mm.
Conclusion:
Thin plastic wrapping is being used and is potentially dangerous.