Second hand cot mattress - yes or no?

[shoesies]

We have been given a cot by some kind friends for the impending arrival of DS1 but I heard somewhere that you should always buy a new mattress. Is this right? Is this necessary? Does anyone know why? Help!

Yes, you should buy a new mattress. If I remember correctly, it's something to do with mould spores from saliva and moisture in the mattress.

Government bodies & Health officials advise the use of a new mattress with every child. A mattress you have used for a previous child, however well looked after, carries the risk of introducing your new baby to bacteria and mould. Also, an older mattress will not provide the same comfort and support that a newer one will give. This is important to bear in mind because as your child gets heavier and becomes more active the cot mattress will need to be able to cope with these changes. If buying a second hand cot you should always play safe and buy a new cot mattress whenever possible.

www.babymattressesonline.co.uk/

Yes

here

Meant to say ........the above is a quote from the website

well, from what I've gathered they carry the risk of introducing baby to bacteria and mould which some think can be a factor in cot death. (dont know if thats been proven). Obviously theres no way of 'seeing' that with the naked eye. Plus they can be full of dust mites. They can set off various attacks like asthma and eczema and they could trigger an allergic reaction. It wont give as good support and comfort either but I dont think thats a big issue. I wouldnt risk it unless it was really quite new or had a waterproof covering or could be deep cleaned somehow.

Thanks everyone! [adding cot mattress to the never ending list emoticon]

Sorry,

The original scare surrounded the gas antimony but Dr TJ Sprott who published the research was found to be negligent and struck off for his claims. Despite this the tabloid headlines caused the mith to become ingrained.

More recent studies have covered everything from fans to common pathogens, but all have been inconclusive (see NHS website).

Please don't take advice on this sort of thing from a company that sells mattresses. Of course they want you to think you need to buy a new mattress.

Also, sorry madmentalbint, government advice has at no point included getting a new mattress as a way of reducing the risk of SIDS. Again, the NHS produce information on actions that may reduce the risk.

If anybody reads this and wants to know more I suggest
www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx

If it were me, I would buy a new one anyway just to be on the safe side.
Personally I couldn't use a matress that another baby/toddler ( especially who is not my own) has slept on and possibly dribbled, been sick, wee and pood on.
Just the hygiene factor makes me get a new one, never mind the support and safety issue.

LaboratoryMum: Can you tell me where you found the information that Dr. Sprott had been struck off for his research? I understand that one study attempted to show that his study was wrong, but to be honest since they do not know the reason for cot death, as much possible suggestions are welcomed and I would not put it past companies to have toxic gases within the mattresses. This would also explain why a second mattress would be more dangerous. Dr. Sprott's mattress covers can be found here:www.cotlife2000.com/

If vaccines contain formaldehyde and aluminium, its entirely possible that mattresses may contain toxic gases such as arsenic and phosphorous. It is also possible that these 2 things are connected, considering the highest risk of cot death is between 2-3 months when the first vaccinations come in.

LaboratoryMum I've goggled extensively and can't find any info on Dr. Sprott having been struck off?