New mattresses for new baby?

[onehitwonder]

Hi
We are expecting our second child in June. When DD (now 3.5) was born we bought brand new moses basket mattress, which she used for about 4 months and then an expensive £80+ cot mattress - with the zip off washable top section. DD used the cot mattress for approximately 2.5 years. She was never very sicky, and very few accidents whilst potty training in bed and whenever there were of course the top section got washed at 60+ degrees immediately.

Question is do we need to replace both mattresses for the new baby? We could do without the expense, but of course I am aware that SIDs advice is new mattresses for new baby.

I would be quite happy to replace the moses basket one, but it does seem a shame to bin the cot mattress which still looks new, with very little wear.

TIA

Hi. I was thinking this too. My ds1 was in mosses basket for about 14 weeks so was thinking about using same mattress, but when I got it out, there was a dip in the mattress from ds's weight. I imagine the same is now happening with his cot mattress so I would replace that too tbh.
The weight from a previous baby would compress all the bits inside the mattress which is why, I believe, we are advised to replace.
Now that we are also advised to put baby on back, I went for a cheaper mattress for basket, there's no point in air holes etc so got one for £10

No one can decide for you, but if you are interested in what others have done, our DS1 was in his crib for about 7 weeks and I brought a new mattress for that before DS2 arrived last summer. However, same as you I had an expensive mattress with cover for the cot and decided not to buy a new mattress.

The reason for our decision was that, although new mattress is recommended, it is one of a number of risk factors for SIDS, along with making sure that baby is put to bed with their feet to the foot of the bed, that they don't get too hot, that you don't smoke etc We figured that the mattress by itself shouldn't cause any problems providing we eliminated all the other risks.

Have a look at the FSID website and make up your own mind www.fsid.org.uk

I thought hard about this too before having ds2.

In the end I bought new mattresses for the carrycot, moses basket and cot. I knew that if anything had happened to our new baby and I hadn't bought new ones then I could never have lived with the "what ifs.."

PS Have just checked the FSID website, and their current leaflet says that the mattress should be 'firm, flat, well-fitting and clean', it doesn't state that it needs to be new.

You are right Joe1977 I am looking for examples of what others have done. Thanks for the link I was just reading the advice on the site.

I didn't bother. I knew where it'd been and it was a really clean mattress in good condition. I did buy a new mattress cover though

Clean is the key point, doesn't have to be new. We didn't replace either for ds2 but both got a good hoover (mattresses not kids ) and we washed the top of the cot mattress.

Not aware of any studies that have linked 'old' mattresses to SIDs in the same way that smoking parents etc are linked.

congrats on your new baby very jealous...

My DCs are 24 months apart. I thought about getting new mattresses and in the end I did get them new. Both my DCs had to be induced 3 weeks early, so slightly higher risk etc. I just thought that if anything happened to either of them, I would have to be sure that I had done everything in my power to protect them.

If your 3.5yo dribbled on the mattress, you probably wouldn't have sent that round on a 60 wash. That contains bacteria which breed etc and I think that is a problem as well as any more obvious things like sick/poo.

My dad was furious with me and told me I was totally paranoid. I suppose it is up to you, but in your position, I'd replace the mattresses.

i havent replaced mine, i had 2 children a year apart. i will replace my sons toddler bed mattress (which my daughter will be going into son as cot needed for baby due in july)
this is mainly down to the fact he has been quite sickly the 2 years he has been in it, and has wet the bed a fair few times.

i think replacing mattresses depends entirely on the child who slept in it last.

like you said your daughter was sickly or accident prone, so i would say it would be fine.

i wouldn't have, but dh was adament so we did buy new mattress for each of our 3.

Thanks for the replies . We would of course give it a good hoover and wash the removable cover before using it for the new baby. I wonder if you can get a replacement for the zip off top layer? (will check out mothercare website).