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As new parents (or parents of young children), we all share one ultimate goal - keeping our babies safe. But ensuring a safer sleep for infants goes beyond just picking the right cot or sleep routine. It’s about understanding the critical elements of what makes a sleep environment truly safe. One of the key figures leading the charge in infant sleep safety is Dr Ron Somers.
Dr Somers has dedicated decades to public safety, with his pioneering work undoubtedly saving countless lives. One of his key contributions, Australia’s mattress firmness standard, has made a lasting impact. Yet, his research reveals more work needs to be done, particularly around CO2 rebreathing, an often-overlooked but life-threatening risk for babies.
Here, Dr Somers shares with us how he became interested in infant sleep safety, what drives his passion for the cause, and what he believes new parents should know about infant sleep safety.
What initially sparked your interest in baby sleep safety and research into areas like CO2 rebreathing?
I was the Director of Epidemiology at South Australia Health, and my special area of interest was injury prevention, ever since first joining a Danish injury-prevention research team in 1979.
Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired your focus on infant sleep safety?
Yes. I was attending a meeting in Sydney of the then Standards Australia technical committee for infant cots. I asked the other members why we didn’t include in our safety standard any advice about the mattress, and instead focused solely on the cot frame.
I was told that around the world no one worries about specifying the properties of the mattress. When I returned to my office I found lots of good research reporting the danger of an overly soft infant mattress, but no translation of this insight into national safety standards.
My team and I then went on to invent the world’s first firmness test method that could be applied to any infant mattress. This method now underpins mandatory regulations in the USA and Australia.
What drives your commitment to helping improve safer sleep for babies?
I have interviewed the parents of infants who have died under preventable circumstances.
For new and expectant parents who might not know much about CO2 rebreathing, can you explain what it is and why it poses a risk to infants?
Firmness is not the only important issue for infant sleep safety. We also need to take account of the amount of CO2 exhaled by the baby that gets captured by the mattress and released back to the baby when they re-inhale. This is called CO2 rebreathing, and it can contribute to suffocation. Careful design of the mattress can greatly reduce this hazard.
Why is testing for CO2 rebreathing so crucial when it comes to baby mattresses and other sleep products?
Mattress testing is required, because it is impossible to assess the CO2 rebreathing risk by merely inspecting the mattress.
Why is it important for companies to not only meet existing safety standards but to also advocate for more stringent regulations?
Published safety standards are only voluntary for industry, but regulations are mandatory for industry.
As Australia moves toward potentially making CO2 rebreathing tests mandatory for all baby mattresses, what would you say to parents about the importance of this shift?
If this were to happen, parents could definitely be more relaxed about the purchasing decisions that they make. They could have greater faith that the products sold in the market are generally safe.
If you could offer one key piece of advice to new parents regarding safer sleep, what would it be?
Always use a mattress protector under the sheet that covers your baby’s mattress. Mattress protectors are good for hygiene, and also good for minimizing exposure to CO2.
What excites you most about the future of infant sleep safety and the work you're doing?
There is a lot of further good work that needs to be done, but fortunately it can be approached in a step-wise sequence. The level of interest and cooperation in the Australian infant-furniture industry is greater than that found overseas. Australia is in a position to lead the world in addressing the remaining infant sleep hazards.
Dr Ron Somers’ groundbreaking research has reshaped the landscape of infant sleep safety, but his work is far from over. As parents, understanding risks like CO2 rebreathing can help us make more informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right sleep products.
At BabyRest, we don’t just acknowledge these risks; we take action. Our mattresses are designed and tested to meet the highest standards of safety, and we’re campaigning alongside experts like Dr Somers to make CO2 rebreathing testing a mandatory requirement for all baby mattresses in Australia.
Our ultimate vision is simple: a safer sleep for all babies. We believe that every parent should be able to lay their child down to sleep with the confidence that their sleep space is as safe as possible.
This October, during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, let’s remember the importance of these conversations and continue to advocate for change. Because safer sleep shouldn’t be optional - it should be a given for every baby and toddler.
