AIBU to buying a 2nd hand mattress for my DS?

[Ilovechocolate80]

It's from Ebay. Looks immaculate. Seller says it's barely been used. Am going to clean it.

My friend is horrified and say's I should spend the same money on a lower quality new one.

Apart from wanting a good one, new memory foam ones smell horrible for ages as they off-gas.

Would you?

YABU

Oh for goodness sake some people are so blinking paranoid and germ phobic?? As someone upthread has already said you wouldn't think Anything of staying in a hotel, and how many different people do you think stay on hotel beds during the lifetime of a mattress?! and what the Jeff is so horrific about sweat, dragonmother ?? It's not (as far as I'm aware but I'm prepared to be proved wrong) lethal, contagious, or dangerous in any way is it!?

Anyway, obvs concur with the new mattress for babies although mine still seem to be alive after sharing if you're going to be a worry-wart but definitely think for an 11 year old a quick hover and a waterproof cover - maybe even chuck in a new topper as an extra special treat - will be Absolutely Fine.....

Ye gods. Has nobody heard of the landfill crisis round here???

Nimbys.....

MEh, everyone I know worried about SIDS and got new mattresses for their pfb.

And then let their second and thirds reuse those mattresses against SIDS advice.

That said, we bought pretty cheap mattresses for ours. Made sure to leave them unwrapped for weeks before they slept on them so they could "off gas".

Sorry, just read that its for an 11 year old, in which case, definitely don't worry about it. But I'm fed up with the germphobic, change their pants 4 times a day, sweat will kill you lot.

What the hell is offgassing?

I would buy it, most of the things we buy are second hand as it means better quality. You can clean it with the vacuum first, plus wipe over with some disinfectant and use a mattress cover. Personally I think people get a bit over anxious about this sort of thing.

NCBastard mattresses, particularly non-organic ones made of man-made materials, five off toxic gasses when newly unwrapped. Smell horrible and are likely poisonous to the lungs and what not.

I would for an 11 yo.

I'm pleased you're children are still alive after sharing Eeeek but not all parents are so lucky.

If you're happy sleeping amongst other people's dead skin, sweat, saliva etc then you crack on

No. Doesn't your child deserve better than a secondhand mattress?
Ffs, really?

Tbf Dragon I understand your caution but really do think (& I'm absolutely not alone) SIDS is way more complicated than that.... I did oodles of research into this - as I obviously care hugely about my children's welfare! - and there is a huge number of variable environmental aspects that could (Could, not Do) contribute to SIDS, of which using a secondhand mattress (with No cover, cleaning, or other precautions) is but one.... But as I said in my pp, I would understand this anyway for an infant but the child in question is 11?!

And also, if you're concerned about droplets, dead skin cells, etc, may I strongly suggest you invest in a face mask (or possible an oxygen mask, to be really sure) for future forays into the public arena as sorry to break it to you but that shit is EVERYWHERE.....

Would you sleep on a second hand mattress? Most people do at some point.
We sleep in hotels and motels and at other people houses.

Its fine. You dont need permission.

And btw forget concern about hotel mattresses - that one's quite easy to avoid if you stay home for the rest of your life and pales massively into insignificance next to the well-documented poor hygiene practises that are commonplace in most Eateries and Restaurants these days! I mean, have you looked into it at all? It's horrific!

You're welcome!

I would never ever buy a second hand mattress. Eww.

I agree with Eeeek.

The germophobia on mumsnet is unreal. The constant washing of sheets and towels on 'boil wash', etc. And now the horror of a mattress that has been slept on by another person.

No wonder the environment is fucked! We can't just throw everything in landfill over a bit of paranoia.

I bought a second hand mattress as it was in as new condition and was fantastic quality. I'd never have been able to afford to buy the same one new and would rather a clean second hand one that will give good support and last, than a cheap one that may be uncomfortable and not last very long. If there is a mattress topper take it off amd wash it, vacuum the mattress/could even steam it. . Like someone has already said you sleep on used mattresses at hotels and it'll have a bed sheet on it anyway . I do get why people would get funny about it though

I'd rather have a good second hand mattress of good quality with plenty of support than a cheap new one where you can feel the springs and can't get comfy. In the same way as I'd rather have a second hand Reiss dress than a new one from Primark.

Thanks for all your opinions. I got a bit worried and ended up getting in touch with the seller. Was told it really has just sat in a spare room and their young son has slept on it once in a while (presumably when guests are staying). They are also supplying a high quality mattress protector. I'm going to get it today, hoover and steam clean the whole thing, hot wash the protector or buy a new one.

I decided that it's such good quality and has such little use that it's worth it and I can't see the risk. It also means that I wont have to find somewhere to store it in my tiny house until it stops stinking of fumes - like my one did.

Bed bugs can't live in memory foam apparently.

All the posters that disagreed, I really did think about your comments.

How on earth do you know the seller is a doctor, and his house is very clean?? Some people shouldn't be let loose on the Internet...

No. Doesn't your child deserve better than a secondhand mattress?

Ouch! Some parents have to buy second hand because they want to give their child the best in life but just can't afford it. I'm sure they would give their children the earth if they could, I know I would but sadly can't always.