Why do relatively few crib deaths occur among babies over six months old?
An older baby is more able to respond physically to the initial distress which is caused the exposure to the toxic gases. An older baby experiencing this distress (e.g., the initial headache which occurs) can take action by flailing around in the crib , throwing off bedding, or sitting or standing up in the crib. This attracts the attention of adults. It also disperses gases from around the baby; or physically removes the baby from the gases (if the baby sits or stands up in the crib), since these gases are more dense than air.
