Unrestricted heat transfer and aeration through the Nettress mesh surface prevents sweating and keeps infants cool

The mesh of the Nettress sleep surface enables unrestricted heat transfer between both sides thus preventing overheating of the infant lying on the surface. Overheating and hyperthermia may be an additional factor in the etiology of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In 2005 the New South Wales Child Death Review Team reported that almost 60% of babies who died suddenly between 2000 -2002 were found with their heads or faces covered at the time of death. Studies suggest that death could be attributed to obstruction of the airways, rebreathing of expired air or thermal stress (overheating). Infants regulate their temperature through the head, particularly the face. In a heavily wrapped infant 85% total heat loss is through the face. If this normal method of heat loss is restricted by bedding covering the face, wearing a hat or prone sleeping (partial face covered by mattress and/or bedding), there is a tendency for thermal stress to occur. Heat loss in infants sleeping in the prone position is 60% less effective than for infants lying in the non-prone position with the same insulation values for clothing and bedding. This may explain why researchers found that prone sleeping in combination with increased body insulation increased the risk of SIDS.

The unrestricted heat transfer via the meshed surface of the Nettress, enables proper heat transfer via the face even when the infant's head is covered and is sleeping in the prone position.

The unlimited heat transfer raises a concern regarding the possibility of cold stress to an infant sleeping on this sleeping surface. In a study on a mattress that incorporates a meshed netting, with negligible thermal resistance, the thermal balance of infants, sleeping in sleeping bags whom were placed on a study mattress (Purflo mattress, Sleepsafe Ltd. Maidenea UK) was compared to infants sleeping on conventional mattresses in two different room temperatures. The conclusion was that axillary temperatures were lower in infants sleeping on conventional mattresses than on the study mattress also when room temperature was lowered form 19-22°C to 15°C. Cold stress can be avoided on the Nettress sleep surface, in cold room temperatures, by the use of a "sleeping bag" type of clothing.
In conclusion, the new sleep surface enables unrestricted heat transfer between both sides thus preventing overheating of the infant lying on the surface and proper infant dressing in cold temperatures prevent cold stress.