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Asthma and Infant Bedding
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Content created MAR 2005
Content updated MAR 2005

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Next Back What type of bedding is best?

For some time it was recommended that people who have asthma (or who are more likely to develop asthma) avoid feather bedding and choose synthetic materials (eg foam, polyester or dacron) as they withstand frequent washing. This is now not thought to be the case.

New studies have shown that not only does synthetic bedding have higher levels of house dust mites and their allergens than feather bedding, it may also increase the risk of infants developing wheeze. This may be because the synthetic materials give off substances that irritate the airways and make them more susceptible to allergens.

Again, this is an area where we have much to learn. In the meantime, it seems sensible to use low allergen bedding for infants and children at high risk of allergy or asthma. Where possible, use encasings for mattresses, pillows and doonas, rather than plastic covers.

Low allergen bedding should be used. Feather bedding pillows and quilts have substantially lower mite allergen levels than synthetic bedding.

The use of bulky items such as pillows and quilts (feather or synthetic) is not recommended for infants under 12 months because of the increased risk of SIDS.

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