Where can I find an inflatable cot mattress? Well meaning MIL has hired a cot....

[leannac]

We are off to Australia to visit relatives and my very well meaning mother-in-law to save us carrying our travel cot has borrowed a 10 year old cot from her library. She's so proud of herself that I don't really want to tell her that I hate the idea of my daughter sleeping on a 10 year old mattress that has been used by god knows how many kids! I want to smuggle over an inflatable mattress that I can put over her mattress but the cot is a specific size of 69cm x 102cm and a search into google doesn't find any inflatable mattresses that size - anyone got any ideas???

I would ask your DH to have a discreet word with his mother about the cot in terms of its actual suitability; what condition is it in if its 10 years old?. Tread carefully; some people and do take great offense at having their supposed good intentions doubted by DILs (hence my suggestion for your H to have a word with her).

You don't have to use that or take your own mattress to Australia either. There are many companies in various parts of Australia that hire out baby equipment like cots etc; I would use one of those instead as such companies have to conform to Australia safety standards. Google "baby hire equipment Australia".

I can't help sorry. But, if you went to stay with friends who had a travel cot would you ask how old it was or just look at the general condition? This cot may have only been used a handful of times or it may be minging. I expect the foamy mattress in the hospital where you had your DC was about 100 years old.

We went to Oz with our (then) 14 week old last year and my Dad told me they were borrowing a car seat from a friend so not to bring ours. I stupidly agreed as we had just sooo much luggage to take with 2 DC. It was a nightmare. When we arrived he said that had fallen through so he had got one from Ebay. The people he bought it from told him it was suitable for babies and showed him how to fit it. It was an ancient (about 15 years old) group1 seat fitted (wrongly) rear facing. It was late at night and we had been travelling for 27hours and up for about 40. I had to put my tiny defenseless baby in it and buy at huge expense a new one the next day that is now in my Fathers garage.... grrrrrr

You could buy a cot mattress cover - I think Mothercare do them - which wouldn't add much weight to your luggage but would mean there was a thickish, clean layer between the library cot and your DD?

I didnt think inflatable mattresses were recommended for small children. the ones i have seen say aged over 3 years. If you take a waterproof mattress cover sheet, wrap that over it and then put another sheet on top it should protect your child from anything on the mattress. waterproof single sheets are about a fiver so is a reasonably priced, easy and discrete option!