To think it's a bit yuck that a cot mattress has been used for lots of other babies?

[Tigerstar123]

Hi all,

We are due to go on holiday abroad with a well know (very good profit making) tour operator with our 5 month old baby.

I was thinking about things I need to take and of course, I need cot sheets! I emailed customer services asking if they could assist with cot dimensions and whether the mattress is changed between stays.

They replied saying they can't assist with the dimensions of the cot and that they don't change the mattresses.

Re not changing the mattress, to me that feels a bit yuck and worries me about the risk of SIDS. I can't help feeling really uncomfortable about this and that anything could have been on the mattress / mattress could be damaged etc. I want to buy and take my own, but they won't help with dimensions!

AIBU to be concerned about the mattress and to also think that the customer service dept really haven't done anything to assist?!

[Tigerstar123]

Thanks shotgun-the advice re new mattresses was rammed down our throat at ante natal classes. Hence the concerns.

Soupdragon- the baby and the cot mattress are linked!!

Spoonful-there are lots of studies out there and lullaby trust suggests new mattress for even siblings.

[Tigerstar123]

Eeeeeek Ha ha! Think sometimes there's no happy medium on mn...!

Dippy- I hope it doesn't. I'm pretty chilled out given I have a pfb, but I think we've had it said over and over at classes etc and on the internet about the risks of SIDS that it's going to be a concern isn't it?

[EveOnline2016]

Op this is the most PFB thing I have ever read.

[Tigerstar123]

Thanks MrsMulder think I'll look at one of these!

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

I would have your concerns op. Though now ds is 13 and I'm just pleased he goes to bed at all now
Guidance when he was born was new baby, new mattress. As for hospital using same mattresses the issue is that where babies on hospital are checked on pretty frequently parents of babies at home/ on holiday are likely to sleep through if baby does. As for people taking the piss. Guidelines are there for reasons, often very sad reasons. I wouldn't throw all my usual precautions out of the window just because I was on holiday.

[karmapolice97]

Yes it really is that ridiculous! Mattresses aren't a disposable item, can you imagine the landfill? I usually take a fitted sheet from home as they stay on better and put it over the provided sheet folded flat to create a barrier to the used mattress. Haven't given it any further thought.

[Tigerstar123]

Eve- I've read ones about warming up baby wipes before use on bottoms, so I don't think that this thread is the most pfb one lol!

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

To be fair OP my niece is coming this summer and I did wonder if my SIL would want to use our travel cot (and mattress) for exactly this reason.

In my experience children's beds are often covered in a waterproof layer. I would take a good quality thick one with me. You'll need one for a single bed at some stage so it's an investment. That will create a barrier. The mould spores that I believe are the cause of concern will then at least have a barrier. ... once you're aware of something like this it's one of those, impossibly low risk, inconceivably high stakes situations. that I totally ignored but understand

[Chinks123]

Warming up baby wipes can be helpful though it stops them seeing everywhere when cold wipes touch their bum, not that I'd ever do it I do understand your concerns op but honestly your baby will be fine. Have a lovely holiday

[Tigerstar123]

Pearlman - just trying to do the right thing by my baby! You're right about the Hol company.
The flying faux pas-cheers. People can take the piss if they want. I'm glad if my concerns have brightened up someone's day Yep, I'm just trying to go by the guidelines that are there to look after our little ones

[Chinks123]

Ffs *weeinf

[Chinks123]

Oh my god *weeing sorry!!

[Tigerstar123]

Thanks again to all the people who have been nice to me even if you think I'm irrational! Lol!

[FeckinCrutches]

I can see why you are concerned, but it's just not a viable option.

A hotel abroad may have 10 cots, average family going on holiday for a week, that's potentially 520 new mattresses a year, at £30 a pop which would be about £15,600 a year. Never going to happen.

[Tigerstar123]

Chinks I can proudly say I've never warmed up a wet wipe! I've always took the week risk lol!!

[Dontyoulovecalpol]

Although advice is to do this to prevent SIDS you need to consider how rare sids is and how much it can be prevented by new mattresses. You'll find a really really tiny number! Your baby will be fine.

[fiorentina]

In my experience of hotel cots they are all travel cots with wipe able mattresses, not the foam ones. I always took sheets from home and if you wanted to why not add a few towels under the sheet for added comfort/cleanliness. Anti bac wipe it when you arrive and you will be fine. I am a bit of a cleanliness obsessive but was always happy with this?

[EveOnline2016]

From the NCT website

The Lullaby Trust recommends you buy a new cot mattress, or - if using a second-hand mattress - carefully check that it's clean, dry and free from cracks or tears. Your cot mattress should be firm, with no sagging and fit the cot snugly, with no gaps.

Your baby will be fine.

[Tigerstar123]

Pearlman- just because in your view 'enough people have commented' doesn't really mean anything! I asked a question on the AIBU board, I've had lots of responses. I expected a mixed bag- most to say YAIBU. But I put it out there! There's risks in everything, crikey, having the baby came with it's own risks!!

[SoupDragon]

Soupdragon- the baby and the cot mattress are linked!!

No one is telling you that you should not worry about your baby in general
People are telling you you should not worry about the mattress. They are saying it is not a risk you need to worry about.

There is a difference.

You are blowing it up out of proportion and effectively implying that people are telling you not to worry about your baby ever. Which they aren't.

[Tigerstar123]

Soupdragon - that's good that people are helping to help me not worry about my baby.
The thread was about the mattress, not baby care in general

[Tigerstar123]

Pearlman lols!