Second hand mattress for toddlers?

[safesleepfortoddlers]

DD (18months) is quite large for her age and we’ve moved her into a larger cotbed. I’ve purchased the frame secondhand and the seller has given me the mattress and several waterproof covers as well. I already had the mattress (purchased new) so don’t reckon I need this one, but it is of better quality than the one I initially purchased for DD.

I know secondhand mattresses are not recommended for babies due to SIDS risk but is this also true for toddlers? The cover is removable and has had an additional waterproof cover on top. (Mattress is immaculate, firm, etc). I did suffer from anxiety with my first and the idea of SIDS is absolutely terrifying to me, though I don’t know if there is any risk at this age.

I may be fussy but I would never use a second hand mattress, regardless if it was for DD or myself.

Yes for me it’s the safety aspect for her in most concerned about. (If there is one?) I reckon she sleeps on shared/used mattresses at nursery and at my in-laws but somehow having it as her own primary mattress makea me nervous?

With the waterproof covers I'd be happy to use it.
I had a similar situation and used the extra mattress as padding on the floor when mine got a bit older through fear of them climbing out. I stored it under the bed the rest of the time.

What is the science behind this out of curiosity? I’ve not heard of it. Why can’t I let my son have his older sister’s cot when he is born? And then her toddler bed when she grows out of it. As you say, he will sleep in a nursery cot…

I’d be more reassured using a new mattress.

i have used this company for custom mattress sizes and would highly recommend https://babymattressesonline.co.uk/

This. What is the difference between a new mattress and a second hand one in perfect condition that may only have been slept in a few times?

If we're applying logic to the situation, if there's an extra risk from a second hand mattress, you also wouldn't be able to go on holiday as those mattresses have been slept in by countless other DC or do things like DC sleep at grandparents houses if they have other grandchildren that do the same.

Sounds like a load of bunkum to scare people into throwing out perfectly good and safe mattresses and buy new ones.

I read this too but did use the same mattress etc for dd2.

I think it's a case of abundance of caution and that we don't know what causes all cases of sids and so they have to say something

I guess when they are little the risk of SIDS is high and not knowing what kind of mattress it is or how it’s been looked after, cleaned, whether anyone has smoked around it is hard. By the time they are a toddler this wouldn’t be a risk in the same way.

I also wouldn’t be super excited as an adult using a mattress from a stranger but if it looked clean, smelt ok and I knew 100% it had come from a clean home where no one smoked then maybe? If it had belonged to a friend or family then yes I would. I would just apply that same to a toddler

The risk of SIDS increases if you use a secondhand mattress from outside the home according to the lullaby trust. I expect you're fine using it from one child to the next.