A Landmark ASTM Paper on Infant Sleep Products
Recently, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) published a groundbreaking paper entitled “Airflow, CO₂ Inhalation and Firmness Characteristics of Commercial Infant Products.”
The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate to the infant sleep product industry that, to provide infants with the safest sleeping environment possible, products must be tested for all three conditions:
Airflow
CO₂ Inhalation
Firmness
At Breathe Easy Baby, we’ve long emphasized this same message: the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can best be described as a perfect storm. It is not enough to test for just one condition. Preventing the likelihood of SIDS requires considering all three risk factors together.
While congenital conditions may play a role, many experts now believe SIDS results from these factors occurring separately or in combination. Tragically, once a baby succumbs, it is incredibly difficult—if not impossible—to definitively determine the exact cause.
The Impact of the “Back to Sleep” Campaign
One thing is certain: since the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) launched its Back to Sleep campaign in the mid-1990s, the SIDS rate has been reduced by roughly 50%.
This campaign taught parents that placing babies on their backs is the safest sleep position. However, it also revealed an ongoing risk:
Babies who roll over and prefer sleeping on their stomachs face a greater risk of suffocation.
The campaign was designed to prevent stomach-sleeping suffocation — and it has been effective.
Study Findings: Just 15 Degrees Can Save a Life
The ASTM study highlighted an important point: babies who roll onto their stomachs and sleep face-down are at greater risk of suffocation.
However, researchers found that with just a 15-degree head rotation, babies could access enough air to prevent suffocation. This small difference—just 15 degrees—can mean the difference between life and death.
The study also reiterated the AAP’s stance: the safest environment for infants is a firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet.
Where We Differ: The Case for a Breathable Mattress
This is where Breathe Easy Baby respectfully diverges from the paper’s conclusions. On a highly breathable mesh sleep surface, like the Breathe Easy Baby mattress, infants can breathe normally right through the mattress—even if they roll over and sleep face-down.
From our perspective, the safest crib mattress is the one that removes the possibility of suffocation entirely, rather than relying on head positioning or mattress firmness alone.
So, the question remains:
Is a non-breathable, firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet truly the safest choice for your baby?
Why Breathability Matters for Infant Sleep Safety
There is no doubt that the AAP’s recommendations have saved lives. However, the fact that nearly 4,000 infants still die each year from SIDS shows that more must be done.
Science continues to show that a highly breathable crib mattress provides babies with a superior level of safety compared to a traditional non-breathable mattress. In fact, it is only a matter of time before breathability standards become mandatory for all crib mattresses.
When that regulation is implemented, we will finally see another meaningful reduction in the SIDS rate.
The Problem With “Breathable” Marketing Claims
Unfortunately, the word “breathable” has become a marketing catchphrase in the crib mattress industry. Until official regulations are set, parents must decide for themselves which mattresses truly provide safe breathability.
A simple test can help:
Press your face against the mattress and try to breathe.
If you can breathe normally, your baby can too.
If you can’t, neither can your baby.
Why Choose the Breathe Easy Baby Crib Mattress?
The Breathe Easy Baby crib mattress has undergone more independent, third-party scientific testing than any other crib mattress on the market. These voluntary tests consistently demonstrate that our mattress provides the highest level of safety available.
With its highly breathable mesh design, the Breathe Easy Baby crib mattress gives parents peace of mind, knowing that their baby can breathe safely—even if they roll over during the night.
