Mattress for each child? why?

[lola0109]

Thats basically it, what are the reasons for getting a new matress for each child?

DD1 is in her cotbed as a bed, DD2 is in crib but growing out of it very fast as she is much larger than DD1 was. So we need to buy a new bed for DD1 and reassemble cot for DD2, but we've just been hit by some major financial difficulties and need car seats etc. so can I use the same matress? Is it really unsafe?

There are studies online I looked up showing that risk of SIDS increases with subsequent children and they think it's linked to re-using mattresses. Am not sure why though.

Suffice to say we bought a new one for dd2.

Will see if I can find what I looked at.

I re-used dd's mattress for ds as it had a removable washable cover and the underneath was waterproof and could be cleaned. This is from the SIDS website:

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.

AS Seona posted if it's completely sealed in then it should be fine because any "fumes" wouldn't be inhaled by the infant.

If you do need to buy one def get one that is sealed and then has a washable cool max type cover on it - they are the best of both worlds.

Something to do with toxins apparently - I'm sure a huge study was undertaken in New Zealand on it.

I asked my midwife about it before DS was born and she said that you can scrimp on a load of stuff but please please buy a new mattress .

I am reusing DD1's cot and mattress as it is completely sealed with a waterproof cover and meets the SIDS guidelines.

I think it does meet the guidelines but will give it a good once over tomorrow. I made sure I bought a new crib mattress but that was obviously much cheaper.

The mattress will probably be in great condition as DD1 never really slept in it when it was a cot as she mostly co-slept (not through choice, just out of necessity of getting a good nights sleep) so its only been used for about 6 months.

My main concern is that I will be moving DD2 out of her crib at 4 - 4.5 months and into the cot but it will need to go into her bedroom as no room with us, so I'm already paranoid that she won't meet the recommended 6 months.

In fact, I can tell you what will happen, DD1 will sleep in my lovely comfy king size bed with her father and I will end up in her single bed until DD2 is 6 months!

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I remember all this when I had my child - many years ago (!) - I went out and bought a new mattress for the second hand cot as per all the advice. When my DS was born he needed a lot of medical care and was in hospital for a long time - I now realise that of course he would not have had a 'new mattress' for the hospital cot he was in - there is no way that hospitals provide new mattresses for all the babies - so why is it so important at home? I really think this is a marketing ploy to pressurise new parents into buying new mattresses. As lola goes on to say - lots of babies co-sleep with their parents........... on old mattresses.

mumsnet thread

link to FSID which has recommendations