Plastic wrapping of cot mattresses: results from a pilot study

Aim. To assess the prevalence of plastic wrapping of cot mattresses and the ir thickness. Methods. Mothers of infants less than six months attending Plunket clinics in Central Auckland were interviewed. The thickness of the plastic was meas ured. Results. 99 of 110 (90%) mothers invited to participate were visited at hom e. 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(R) and seven used other t ypes. The mean thickness of the BabeSafe(R) 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 plas tic was 0.04 mm. Conclusion. Thin plastic wrapping is being used and is potentially dangerou s.