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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to insist on a new mattress for the travel cot at MIL's?

25 replies

lowrib · 02/02/2009 04:30

Looking forward to going to stay at MIL's with DS for the first time, he's 6 weeks old.

MIL has been given a second hand travel cot, but I'm not sure about using this as isn't the advice on mattresses to use a new one to reduce risk of cot death?

If it was only for a night or two I wouldn't worry, but this first visit will be for 2 weeks, and as we'll be also staying there several more times this year, DS will be using it more like a proper bed.

Would you use it?

Can you get replacement mattresses for travel cots? (If so can you recommend anywhere?)

The cot came from a good friend, and is in good condition. It's the Graco Travel Cot Primary

Thanks

OP posts:
AliceTheCamelHasGotTheHump · 02/02/2009 04:34

Pick up a new mattress at any big mothercare / john lewis / order it online. There are standard travel cot sizes. Make sure you get the right size so it's not rucked but doesn't have any gaps to the size either.

Yes, get a new mattress.

dilbertina · 02/02/2009 04:47

hmmm, My travel cot mattress has a waterproof layer I think so could be washed down... I've never seen replacement travel cot mattresses I must admit, and it probably hasn't had all that much use. TBH I would use it.

Are you using a moses basket you could take with you and use whilst he's still so small?

AliceTheCamelHasGotTheHump · 02/02/2009 04:49

When you say "insist on a new mattress" I assume you don't mean you're going to insist your MIL gets one...

Original poster
lowrib · 02/02/2009 05:05

Hi dilbertina We're using part of the pram as a moses basket. He sleeps really well in this in the day, and if we didn't have the travel cot option I'd be happy to use it, but as MIL has gone to the trouble of getting this, and also it would be more convenient, I'd rather not reject it without a good reason IYSWIM.

Hiya AliceTheCamelHasGotTheHump Don't worry, I'm not going to insist MIL gets it! I'll "insist" DP and I got into town to get one once we get there.

Thanks for your responses I didn't think anyone would be up at this time!

OP posts:
llareggub · 02/02/2009 07:17

You could always tell her that your baby will not settle unless he is in his pram, neatly avoiding the whole travel cot issue.

You might find it easier just to buy your own travel cot, as you won't have the pram option for much longer. It is handy to have a travel cot, but I must admit ours didn't get a great deal of use.

fymandwhenisthisbabycoming · 02/02/2009 07:49

you can get a travel cot mattress topper from mothercare which would solve the problem. Travel cot mattresses are thin anyway so it does make it more comfy

IamLeticiaDean · 02/02/2009 08:32

I wondered about this. My LO has been sleeping in a travel cot (occasionally) that used to belong to my niece and I didn't get a new mattress/topper (didn't know they existed). She is 7 months now and I will probably carry on using it tbh.

IamLeticiaDean · 02/02/2009 08:33

I meant to say YANBU, your call I'd say.

Cantandwont · 02/02/2009 08:41

I've always assumed (possibly wrongly) that because travel cot mattresses are a very thin layer of foam covered in non-porous plastic that a good wipe down is adequate. It's not like a standard cot mattress - isn't one of the issues that if a previous baby has vomited onto the mattress, harmful fungus can breed?

I would have thought if you can't replace it, a good wipe with a disinfectant solution would be fine. I'd probably also put a towel or something down over the mattress but under the sheet. Would be far more worried if it was a standard cot mattress.

rookiemater · 02/02/2009 08:43

Its a strange one because when babies sleep in cots at hotels or Center Parcs they don't swap the mattress every time.

If it makes you feel better then you buy one, but please don't insist that your MIL does. Mattress topper sounds like a good solution.

fymandwhenisthisbabycoming · 02/02/2009 08:52

here on the mothercare website

loobeylou · 02/02/2009 09:23

let your baby sleep on a folded towel in a suitcase, thats what we did! (on arriving at holiday cottage to discover the "cot" provided was not only rickety and covered with possibly dodgy flaky white paint, but also had a matress 40 yrs old which the owner proudly recalled her DCs sleeping on!!

christiana · 02/02/2009 09:31

Message withdrawn

MiserableMama · 02/02/2009 11:22

We got a travel cot topper from Mothercare for DS to use at the Grandparent's house...their travel cot has previously been used by our DD 4 years before but thought it best to get a topper anyway and it's more snuggly as the matresses are quite thin. That travel cot is Graco Primary too, and it fits fine.

Original poster
lowrib · 02/02/2009 14:14

We?re traveling by train, so it wouldn?t be very easy to bring a new travel cot with us.

I did find this pop-up one online, but I suspect I?m getting distracted by the cool polka-dots! And anyway I haven?t got time to order something online and get it for this trip.

christiana the advice about mattresses is still current I think. The FSID website says

?It is very important that your baby?s mattress is kept clean and dry. Ideally you should buy a new mattress for each new baby. If you are not able to do this, use the one you have, as long as it was made with a completely waterproof cover and has no tears, cracks or holes. Clean and dry it thoroughly. Check that the mattress is in good condition; is firm, not soft; fits the cot without any gaps; and doesn?t sag. Never sleep your baby on a pillow, cushion, bean bag or waterbed.?

Cantandwont it is toxic bacteria which is the risk, I think. Your solution - thoroughly clean existing foam, waterproof mattress - is what I was considering instead of getting a new one.

Thanks for the mattress topper suggestion everyone. I think that's what we'll do , so it's a trip to Mothercare for us, snow permitting.

Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
MelT76 · 02/02/2009 16:44

Babies r us have a travel cot mattress for under £17 or you could just get a new travel cot from Asda, they are only £25 in their baby event at the moment.

scotagm · 02/02/2009 22:39

Our neighbours gave us their old travel cot, stored in their shed for many a months. I gave it a good wash down and we have had a huge amount of use out of it. Because the matress is quite firm I always bulk it up with several well secured blankets anyway. Never insist on anything with people who are jsut happy to have a new little on in the family. Its precious and a bit arsey.

Ronaldinhio · 02/02/2009 22:43

if you are worried get a new one

therefore yanbu in my book but you are if you make a big deal over it do it insensitively or insist that your mil buys one

Linnet · 02/02/2009 22:55

I bought a pop up travel cot when we took dd2 on holiday when she was 4 months old. Only used that one holiday but she was very comfy in it and it was so easy for packing up and popping in the suitcase.

Qally · 02/02/2009 23:03

I'd get a new mattress, if there isn't a wipe-clean impermeable one, on any cot. Though actually we co-sleep on our old mattress (albeit with protector on it, but that pre-dated the baby), so I'm not sure why!

Original poster
lowrib · 03/02/2009 01:39

Thanks MelT76 that's great, think we'll get the toys r us mattress.

OP posts:
roisin · 03/02/2009 02:17

Do make sure the replacement mattress fits properly though. An ill-fitting mattress can cause major problems too.

MadamDeathstare · 03/02/2009 02:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
lowrib · 03/02/2009 02:48

Oh MIL is lovely. There isn't an underlying relationship issue.

Just wondering what's the right thing to do for my DS, this motherhood game is all new to me!

OP posts:
Original poster
lowrib · 03/02/2009 02:50
OP posts:
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