Do I need to buy a new matress for the new baby?

[LadyPenelope]

What is the latest advice re. matresses for babies? With dd we bought a coconut fibre (ie natural fibre) matress - it was in a matress cover and is in good condition as far as I can tell. It's 4 years old ... she used for 2.5 years and since then it's been in plastic under our bed. Is it safe to use for new baby?

Also, same question for matress for the moses basket ... used that for about 8 weeks and since lent to a friend. It's got a plastic cover I think.

TIA!

[lowcalCOD]

no never did for al of mine

[beansprout]

I was told it is best to buy a new one (but not exactly sure why). Not sure if that helps!

[flatmouse]

didn't for cot, did for crib - but that was cause old one was foam and cat slept on it for a while (after DS moved into Cot!)

[lowcalCOD]

in fact kids sleep on MY old one at parents
all stil a live

[gingerbear]

Personally I would not buy a new one. If it is in good condition, doesnt smell mouldy and hasn't had may wees or sick on it, then I would put on a new cover and use it.

[gingerbear]

Did anyone see the article about the asthma and bunk beds theory? My mum said that asthma has been linked to sleeping on the bottom bunk - due to dust mites and droppings falling onto the occupier from the bunk above. Will have to google, but I bet it was in the daily mail.....

[strawberry]

I was also wondering about this. I think now it's crossed my mind to get a new one, I will have to, just in case.

[handlemecarefully]

Yes - that's the SIDs guidance and who are we to argue?

[dinosaur]

Well, I didn't buy a new mattress for DS2 or DS3 BUT our cot mattress has a removable, washable cover and the mattress itself is in good nick.

I think if it hadn't had a removable washable cover, I would have binned it and bought a new one.

[aloha]

It's fine to use it. I'm not buying a new mattress for my baby due in Feb.
This is the official advice from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths:

What kind of mattress should I use?
It doesn?t matter whether the mattress is new, as long as it?s firm, not soft, doesn?t sag and shows no sign of deterioration. Keep it well aired, clean and dry. Use a mattress completely covered with PVC or another wipe-clean surface. Ventilated mattresses (with holes) are not necessary. Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot. Never sleep your baby on a pillow, cushion, bean bag or water bed. Never sleep together with your baby on a sofa or settee.

[handlemecarefully]

It's changed then. It used to be new mattress new baby.

[Tinker]

I'm wondering about this. Have 8 year old mattress, has been stored in a wardrobe/cupboard thing but not in plastic. Good mattress but wondering if it woudl be too dusty.

[Merlin]

Does the advice stand for cotbed mattresses? My DS (4) has just moved to a proper single bed - should I replace the mattress for new baby? Has had a few 'wee' accidents!, but one side is PVC.

[LadyPenelope]

Thanks everyone - think I'll go with dd's mattresses for new baby. And Aloha - thanks for the info from SIDS site which helps put my mind at rest.

[aloha]

You're welcome. Researched it as wondered the same thing.