Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

New moses basket mattress

10 replies

bluebeach · 02/02/2011 13:36

Right, I know the advice on getting a new Mattress for a second hand moses basket (we have one from a friend) so I'm not quibbling paying the tenner for the extra piece of mind, however it does raise a few questions for me.

The mattress is just a piece of foam that you can wash in the machine...along with all the other bedding that comes with it. Why are you not recommended to get all new bedding for the moses basket as well. And for that matter, is getting anything second hand that the baby might sleep in (like a baby sling, baby bouncer, baby clothing etc) safe?

I understand with a cot, you can't wash the mattress so getting a new one of those makes sense to me, but this moses basket is just a flimsy bit of foam that I have been able to wash...why is it still not safe when all the other things are...or are they not safe either?

Sorry if I am sounding dense. I obviously want to do what is safest, and have actually bought a new moses basket mattress anyway, but I have a lot of other things given to us second hand so just want to make sure I am not making any mistakes.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nancy10 · 02/02/2011 13:50

I have just been given a moses basket and all the bedding from a good friend. It is in superb condition and comes from a non smoking home. I intend to use the mattress that came with it. It is plasticy and came be wiped down and cleaned easily. I have washed all the bedding again but that's because I wanted to rather then needed too. However when baby moves into the cot we already have stored in the attic, I will buy a new mattress. This is because it's been in the attic for a couple of years and probably smells of the attic. I don't understand either why it seems so vital to change mattresses. I suppose if they've been used by babies with illnesses, it could be passed on, but I don't really know why.

CalaLilly · 02/02/2011 17:51

It is very unlikely that you'd be able to wash a mattress at a temperature high enough to kill all possible growing bacteria (i.e. 90degrees) without killing the mattress. If you can't wash it at this temperature then some bacteria and cultures from another baby may still be lurking and could pose a threat to your baby (whereas your baby will be used to its own natural flora so the germs it impregnates in its own mattress are less of a risk).

There is also the problem of indentation in the foam from where the previous baby lay. As well as bacteria, this mattress grooving has also been linked to SIDs hence the new mattress for each new baby thing.

Personally I don't want to take the risk, small as it is so have ordered new mattresses for my second hand crib and prams. I found this company excellent as I ordered 3 mattresses plus 3 sets of sheets so it was worth paying the delivery price:
www.cotmattress.com/index.php

PinkElephant73 · 02/02/2011 18:13

I dont think any link between used mattresses and SIDS has ever been proven.

saying that, any used moses basket mattress will have been soaked with wee, sick and heaven knows what. I would not have thought that a foam mattress could be washed in the machine at a high temperature as you would for sheets etc?

Original poster

bluebeach · 02/02/2011 21:00

Thanks for the replies and recommendations.
Its make sense what you say about not being able to kill the bacteria on the mattress, though I think I might have to wash all the other bits of bedding and clothes again as I only washed them at 60 rather than 90. I don't think I have ever washed anything at 90!

As I say I have ordered new mattress anyway just for my peace of mind. My Mum just tells me its all nonsense and everything we had, including mattresses, was about tenth hand but I guess when you have the advice you just don't want to risk it.

OP posts:

CrapBag · 03/02/2011 09:36

Oh god!

I'm having an ELCS on Monday and hadn't even considered getting a new moses basket mattress!!

I have a new cotbed mattress but that won't be used for a few months.

Trip to Babies R Us I think.

bubbleandsqueaks · 03/02/2011 09:42

I read on here for that the reason for a new mattress was because of the indentation, made sense to me and I bought a new one from here

Seemed a small price to pay for peace of mind

CalaLilly · 03/02/2011 09:52

bluebeach, a 60 degree wash should be fine for things other than a mattress which have never been washed as that temperature will remove most spores and bacteria- it's what I have to wash my nursing uniform at!

It does seem like an unnecessary extra expensive but in my mind it's well worth it for the piece of mind it gives you.

PinkElephant73 · 03/02/2011 10:02

I think 60C is fine for washing bedding, thats the temp recommended to kill off dust mites etc for us allergy sufferers.

has anyone actually successfully machine washed a foam moses basket mattress at 60c? it hadnt even occurred to me to try.

theresapotatoundermysink · 03/02/2011 10:05

I have a brand new moses basket mattress. I bought it and it didn't fit my moses basket but was unable to return it because it had been opened. Anyone want it?

nancy10 · 03/02/2011 12:22

I've had a change of heart and ordered a new one for baby to have in moses basket!

Flip