To re-use cot mattress

[Justkeeprollingalong]

I have kept the beautiful carved oak cot my mother bought us nearly 40 years ago. It was used by both my children and has been carefully stored with all the lovely bedding and mattress. AIBU to use the mattress for forthcoming first grandchild or should I try and get a new one?

I should of added a 40 year old mattress is just fucking grim. If it is a reverse your mum or MIL just need telling no. If it is you then buy a new mattress you cheapskate nanna!

If you plan on using the cot then it needs a new mattress. Irrespective of how it has been stored, it will not meet current safe sleeping regulations.

Highly unlikely that a cot will be needed at your house for overnights for a long time though so plenty of time to arrange a new mattress.

New mattress.

I'm not even sure you should be using such an old cot.

Maybe try and attend an NCT session or something. To update your information / knowledge of currently baby safety standards.

Please check the cot is safe, particularly the distance between bars.

From NCT:

'Cot frame
• Depth: the distance between the top of the mattress and the top of the cot sides should be at least 50cm, to prevent your baby from climbing out when they become more mobile.
• Cot bars should be vertical; if they are horizontal your baby could use them as a ladder to climb out. Also, the distance between the bars should be no more than 6.5cm apart so your baby can't get stuck between the bars of the cot.
• It is also recommended by some experts that a cot with bars on all four sides is better, as it allows air to circulate freely while your baby sleeps.
• If your cot has a solid head and footboard with shapes cut out, check that your baby’s limbs cannot become caught in any of the spaces.'

And:

•	If it is a very old, painted cot, it may need to be stripped  down and repainted.  Cots made before 1973 could have used leaded paint, which is toxic.
•	If there is a drop-side mechanism, check it works smoothly and remains in the ‘up’ position.
•	If there are any stickers or transfers on the inside of the cot, remove them, as they may peel off and present a choking hazard.
•	Check there is nothing sticking out of the top rail which may catch your baby’s clothes.
•	Unless you know the history of the mattress, and have checked it for cleanliness and size, and are happy with it, it is recommended that you buy a new one.
•	Check that there is nothing on the inside of the cot that your baby can use as a foothold to help him climb out.

Reverse? Are you the mattress or the baby?

Sorry not to reply, I didn't get any notifications so thought no one had posted.
Not a reverse, a genuine question. I've inspected the mattress and it looks (and smells) fine but I will buy a new one. Would really like to use the cot though, it's very beautiful.

Genuinely hilarious.

I wanted to use my DC cot. It wasn't safe and it wasn't the right size for a new mattress so I couldn't.
And I only wanted it for naps, not overnights.

Please check and as most people wouldn't use a bed mattress that old, I can't believe you asked!

Ok ok, I get the message! I've already said I'd buy a new one!

I don't think it's a ridiculous question, I'm thinking I'll reuse my daughter's mattress for next baby if it looks alright. Otherwise, what a waste!

Glad you're buying a new one! I'd check that the cot is definitely safe too.
Will the baby be staying with you often? Ds didnt stay out until he was a toddler so you might not need the cot.

Hell no. You must get a new mattress.

I used a 60 year old cot for my babies! Used by their grandparent and me! But I did buy a new mattress.

@TotHappy

But the OP isn't using the same mattress for her next child. It's for her grandchild. 40 years later. But if a difference.

OP, as others have pointed out you really need to check whether the actual cot is safe now. There are regulations for the width of bars etc to stop children getting hurt.

Goodness me, I can’t get over how cheap some people are! As if any sane person would even consider putting a brand new little baby to sleep on a 40 year old mattress

Crowbar your wallet open and spend £50 on a new mattress!

We used a 40 year old crib with a new mattress for each baby.

For the main cot, I used DS1's mattress for DS2 as he was 6+ months by then and it had a machine washable outer. It was only a couple of years old and used for about 18m.

The regulations for furniture safety in soft furnishings have changed a lot in 40 years and it will certainly predate a significant change in fire regulations from the late 80s.

Thanks for the sensible reply @kaytee87, they live almost 8 hours away so when they come it tends to be for a few days or a week. They come several times a year- although traveling with a babe may not be so attractive!
I don't understand why I am attracting such vitriol; I've had no need to keep up with cot and mattress requirements for many years so my question was a genuine request for information - not every old thing is useless! Most of my furniture is refurbished vintage as generally I find it better quality than modern stuff. I'm not stupid, mean or tight. I will want my grandchild to have the best and have no issue with buying a new mattress or indeed a new cot if they aren't safe, but my daughter particularly wants to use the cot and I said I would find out about the mattress. Neither of us imagined that any bacteria that she produced almost 40 years ago would still be lingering.
Anyway, I now know that the received wisdom is to buy a new mattress and check the measurements of the cot bars.
Thank you to those who posted without unpleasantness.
The rest of you can feck off 😉