Worth buying a second hand cot? Any advice?

[rainand]

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a second hand cot off gumtree, but just not sure whether it is worth it? Did you buy one or consider buying one? Would you use a second hand mattress? (I'm not keen on that - will probably buy a new mattress)

Any advice/suggestions?

[noblegiraffe]

I got given one, but then I knew it came from a good home. You must buy a new mattress, old ones are a SIDS risk.

[Bunbaker]

DD had a second hand cot and a second hand pram, but I bought new mattresses for both.

[BinarySolo]

I got a second hand cot bed for £10 and just bought a new mattress. Also got a lovely swing crib from a charity shop for £8 and again just got a new mattress.

[cyclecamper]

Mattresses are the only thing I am getting new (unless I get a windfall in which case a Chariot bike trailer is the other thing!), since I am relying entirely on friends and ebay for baby goods.

[Snowflakepie]

Got a lovely mothercare play bead style cot for £30 from a colleague of my mum. A few scratches but fully functioning. Just got new mattress then. It's going strong and will do DC2 nicely! Then I will probably sell it on for a similar amount, they don't get used that much. Ask for good pictures of the sides which can get chewed, if you can look at it and test any moving bits that would be a good idea IMO. Being able to move the base to different heights and having a drop side were the only things that mattered to me.

[rainand]

I've found a new cot at mothercare that works out with mattress for £84 (after voucher and cashback). Now wondering whether to go for that instead?

[Kelerina]

Why are used mattresses a SIDS risk??

We got given a crib from work colleagues, know it's come from a good home and looks new.....wasn't planning on getting new mattress as it looks immaculate?

Got new bedding for it?

[ineedtochange]

I bought the first second hand and when that turned into a toddler bed and DD2 came along we had one from Mothercare given to us. I bought new mattresses for both but it worked out so much cheaper and I've never had a problem with either of them. I am a firm believer in second hand.

[mrsyattering]

There is nothing wrong with going second hand for most baby things. I would buy a new mattress though, if you don't know where it's come from. Although our ds slept on the same mattress as our dd. Our crib has been used by at least 10 other babies, and is getting another outing in August as another friend is borrowing it :)

[Bejeena]

I intend to only buy new matresses too, everything else we want second hand if possible. This isn't so much for the saving of cost but for the saving on waste and impact on the environment. If everyone bought a new cot and consequently threw it away after 2-3 years would be carnage.

Oh and of course I won't put second hand shoes on my child, no matter who they are from as everyones feet are different.

[Paradisefound]

I was told a 2nd hand mattress is a bad thing because they have the imprint of the previous owners baby, which will be different to your baby and as a result your baby may end up in a awkward position as the mattress wont be flat and may not be able to breathe. .... Anyone else heard that??

I would go around the nearly new sales, rather than buy 2nd hand online for the cot. Good to see before you buy.

[ReallyTired]

"Why are used mattresses a SIDS risk?? "

I was told that people sometimes store cots/ cot mattresses in the loft. If there are fungus spores caused by damp then that can increase the risk of cot death.
With the cot frame its easy to see any fungus spores and wash them off, but it is much harder if its inside a mattress.

We got our cot second hand for £25. I am prepared to give it away for free to anyone who is prepared to collect. (We live in herts). It takes a 60X120 mattress.

[12ylnon]

Yes. Totally worth it. Cots don't need to be fancy or expensive. They definitely need to be sturdy and not rattle, so bear that in mind.

We bought this ikea cot www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00115751/ for £35 and it's fantastic. Really sturdy, nice and clean looking, very easy to put up and cheap! They go for next to nothing on ebay too.

I wouldn't buy a second hand mattress though. Ikea ones are meant to be very good. Have been recommended this one www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40152874/ but we've decided to go with this one from boots www.boots.com/en/Rochingham-Stars-Moon-Kumfy-Spring-Core-Baby-Cot-Mattress-120-x-60-x-10cm_53181/ .

[ng1412]

I got my cot and loads of baby clothes, toys etc from Freecycle. I bought mattresses from new of course.

Saved a fortune!

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Second hand cot, new mattress is the way to go. I have a cotbed going for a song if you are in the south east....

[glossyflower]

I picked up a 'second hand' cot but hadn't actually been used as the couple who had it got two for some reason.
I also got a mattress from them, for the same reason, unused and still packaged, both for 40 pounds.
The only problem we found was putting the cot together as the instructions had been lost, but we got there eventually and it's perfect!