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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give away my three year olds mattress and buy one for the new baby

45 replies

bleurghblah · 23/07/2014 14:52

You are supposed to buy new but the mattress looks as good as new and has never ever had poo or wee or sick on it. Would anyone want it or does everyone buy new mattresses?

I don't want to ask anyone in real life as I suspect if I offer it to anyone whilst saying it's not good enough for my next baby then I will not come across very well. I hope I don't come across as an a hole now it just seems ridiculous to Throw away something which looks as good as new.

Be kind, I am heavily pregnant and hot and prone to tears anyway

OP posts:
Bannakaffalatta · 23/07/2014 18:49

Yep my mums church youth leader took my second hand baby car seat for refugees/younger single mum etc. As it happens it was a cabriofix with base and in great condition and no accidents etc but I can see what you mean dashoflime. Having said that some v cheap seats new are 'do not buy' on which guide.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 23/07/2014 18:51

Just use it for your next dc.

YABU to say you want a new mattress due to SIDS risks and then offer it to someone else (who may well not be aware of the risks of a srcond hand mattress).

Just use it for your next dc.

NobodyLivesHere · 23/07/2014 18:53

There is NO like between SIDS and second hand mattresses, there was, a few years ago a company in australia or new zealand who said this, but it was a fake marketing ploy. a second hand mattress is fine as long as its in decent condition and not torn etc.

NorksEnormous · 23/07/2014 18:59

I'm a member of a free site on Facebook and cot mattresses do come on from time to time and they do always get taken.

MrsJossNaylor · 23/07/2014 19:02

I put my used (clean!) cot mattress on Freecycle and it was collected within two hours. Some peoplevare really in need. I was glad to have helped, in a very small way.

Ericaequites · 23/07/2014 19:05

If the mattress has no mold or stains, it should be fine. People worry too much about nothing these days, and the Internet only encourages this.

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 23/07/2014 19:10

I'd approach a charity and ask them what they think. I wouldn't use a second hand mattress myself, but many people do. Even, shock horror, some people allow their young children to sleep on a mattress that has been used by other children, while they are on holiday!!! Neither do I allow my children to wear second hand shoes/ cheap shoes that haven't been fitted on their feet (the result of having my own feet damaged by this) but that's my choice and not everyone feels the same way/ can afford to make the same choice.

PurplePidjin · 23/07/2014 19:13

My dad loves the old mattresses from the second hand crib and moses basket for keeping him cushioned while he messes under a car!

Also as mentioned, dog bed - try a local animal rescue.

Original poster
bleurghblah · 23/07/2014 19:31

I just read my post back. Obviously I wouldn't say to anyone it's not good enough for me but what I meant was that the implication is there if I am not using it.

OP posts:
Igggi · 23/07/2014 20:55

Not sure about the "fake marketing ploy" stuff - Lullaby Trust still saying to avoid reuse if possible. There are few proven causes of SIDS but lots of risk factors - why wouldn't you eliminate a risk factor if you could.
I've just thrown away a cot mattress, for the same reason that I threw away (and cut the straps etc) an old carseat that was over 5 years old.

slithytove · 23/07/2014 22:29

I would free cycle it, people may want it for other things than a baby cot.

I am reusing mine. It's been used for less than a year, and has always had a thick mattress protector on it.

NobodyLivesHere · 24/07/2014 00:53

there was a very well documented case where a company in australia or new zealand funded 'research' into mattresses and found this 'toxic gas' theory of SIDS death. it was proven to be completely untrue. I didn't make that up. My family history of SIDS is strong, and i've researched quite throughly for my dissertation at uni. A link to mattresses from other homes possibly increasing the SIDS risk is not a proven cause and effect and may be due to other factors. For example, low income families are more likely to suffer a SID for many reasons, as low income families are also more likely to buy a second hand mattress the link could be coincidental.

Morloth · 24/07/2014 02:37

People really buy a new mattress for each baby?

DS2 went straight into the cot that DS1 had vacated (it was a toddler bed as well), he snuggled down into the sweet spot and slept in it for another 3 years.

Really? People throw out perfectly clean, nice mattresses?

Capitola · 24/07/2014 03:00

Chuck it & get a new one.

I did this each time & we mostly co-slept so mattresses had been barely used! Confused

KnackeredMuchly · 24/07/2014 07:21

My Dad gave me their 'grandparents' cot as we live just around the corner. He donated the old mattress to the local women's rescue who were delighted as they had a cot and no mattress!

Just because a lot of people can afford the very best doesn't mean everyone can. If I donate clothes to the charity shop I'm not doing it in a way that says "It's not good enough for me so the plebs can have it."

I'm just letting someone else have something that is good quality that I don't need. There's no reason to turn it into a pet bed unless it's grotty.

Notso · 24/07/2014 07:40

I thought it was fine to use them continuously but not good to buy a second hand one or one that had been stored for years.
Surely if it was very risky to use one continuously hospitals would make you bring a new one in for the little plastic cots.

Original poster
bleurghblah · 24/07/2014 10:00

Nobody, I love research like that which proves coincidental links.

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I have decided to put it in the loft and then if we have sleepovers then my toddler can sleep on it on the floor for a night if necessary.

Then when it's no use whatsoever to us I will advertise it on Facebook and see if anyone wants it for whatever purpose. It was about £200 from £400 in the mamas and papas sale and we then got a further £50 off I think so it's a really good one, and we have taken good care of it, but I think maybe I can't with good conscience give it to someone else with a baby to use.

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
Igggi · 24/07/2014 10:57

SIDS is all about the factors though, I would not be happy to wait for a proven link personally. The price of a new mattress (which doesn't have to cost what the OP's did!) is a drop in the ocean of new baby expenses for most people.

Anotherchair · 24/07/2014 12:54

We are using a second hand mattress for our new baby. Our budget couldn't stretch to anything new unfortunately. A trusted friend have it to us and it was stored well and we examined it well and it is still in excellent condition. I looked up the SIDS research and the main risk factors are to do with smoking around baby, baby sleeping on tummy, baby over heating, lack of airflow in the cot (bumpers, pillows, stuffed toys, duvets etc) premature birth and low birthweight.

Pass it on op, someone out there will be grateful for it.

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