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Pregnancy

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Original poster

What's the deal with re-using cot mattresses??

23 replies

MissTweed · 19/03/2013 07:48

My friend has really generously donated her cot to me for when I'm due in November (her DD will still be sleeping in it until then)

It also comes with a super duper expensive all singing all dancing organic horsehair mattress. Buttttttt.......... I've read that you can't reuse mattresses for different children. Is this just a marketing ploy??
I would love to use this mattress as the alternative is to replace it with a much cheaper one from ikea so would love to know people's views on this. TIA

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HavingALittleFaithBaby · 19/03/2013 07:52

It's a SIDS risk - reusing the mattress. Something to do with chemical release. Personally, I'm not taking any chances.

Fluffeh · 19/03/2013 08:08

I think the risk is if its been in storage. I could be wrong though. Maybe ask your midwife and see what she thinks? :)

Flisspaps · 19/03/2013 08:10

How old is the mattress?

If you do decide to get a cheap ikea one, they seem perfectly comfy - we have a £60 one and it's done both of my two.

Startail · 19/03/2013 08:24

Something to do with SIDs, I don't think they ever worked out why there was a correlation between RE using mattresses and cot death.

Like all the risk factors other than "smoking and back to sleep" the increase risk is tiny.

Both my DDs had second hand crib mattresses as I never found a mattress to fit the crib I was lent (so DD2 was child 3 to sleep on it).

Couldn't conceive of any way my totally waterproof and in perfect condition cot mattress could be a problem, so DD2 got that too.

PhyllisDoris · 19/03/2013 08:32

My DD2 used the same matress as DD1. Nobody died, and nobody was even ill because of it.
I don't understand the problem either.

Original poster

MissTweed · 19/03/2013 09:00

Thanks for your opinions, but my decision has just been made for me...... I told my DH what I was typing about and he has said that under no circumstances are we re using one if there is the slightest risk. I know him well enough to know that the night after night of him watching the baby to make sure its still breathing is not worth it!! Off to ikea then.... Shame.

OP posts:

SevenReasonsToSmile · 19/03/2013 12:21

I think it's to do with the possibility of bacteria and mould spores inside the mattress. The risk is obviously higher if the mattress is older/ has been in storage but for me it isn't worth it, I'd rather buy a £20 basic foam waterproof one than re-use.

I hate the argument of my kids didnt die therefore its safe. My mum put me to sleep as a baby every night on my front and I didn't die, but that doesn't change the fact that cases of SIDS have dropped by 80% since that advice was changed

atrcts · 20/03/2013 00:26

I used a wedge for a very short period of time my first baby and put it away for the second, thinking it was sparkling clean.

Some time later I saw it had turned grey and mouldy and was horrified with how visibly filthy something with such little use had become.

A matters with longer use will logically likely be much worse even if it's unseen. I really would not risk it as you can buy reasonably priced mattresses new.

Even if you're feeling rebellious about it all being a marketing scam, having seen how filthy a mattress can easily become, I would give in on this one!

weeblueberry · 20/03/2013 11:48

This is going to sound like a ridiculous question so I apologise in advance. But I assume using second hand crib/cot bedding is okay because you can hot wash it before use, killing anything that might cause a problem?

Bumpsadaisie · 20/03/2013 12:41

My DS sleeps on a mattress that has already done his older sister and three older friends before him.

I think it is ridiculous advice and terribly wasteful. Give it a good clean and an airing.

Goodness knows DS was exposed to far more crud having an older sister who went to preschool.

You can not go through life with your new baby trying to avoid every tiny risk. What about the risk to your children of living in a throwaway society where we just chuck stuff for no good reason!

HappyJoyful · 20/03/2013 12:45

Do check the Ikea one fits the cot you've been given ? I've a feeling they come in different sizes depending on what make of cot it is.
For what it's worth - am another one that used a 'second hand' mattress and didn't think there was a problem other than if it had been stored poorly.

pansyflimflam · 20/03/2013 12:51

Bumpsadaisie - yes yes could not agree more. The second hand mattress thing cam e from very very old mattresses being reused. Like as in not modern mattresses. Its all bollocks considering how many bugs come from siblings and adults. Specific bugs have NOT been linked with SIDS.

Thumbwitch · 20/03/2013 12:55

MissTweed - I had a super-duper all singing and dancing organic horsehair and coconut matting filled mattress for DS1. I then kept it, well wrapped to keep it away from moulds etc., shipped it to Australia and have now got it out and am using it for DS2, 5 years later.

I wouldn't re-use a foam-filled mattress because of the risk of degradation products of the foam being released - but I am quite happily re-using my all natural organic mattress.

I did vacuum it and wash the removable cover. :)

Thumbwitch · 20/03/2013 12:58

Oh and it has an all-wool mattress protector as well. And then normal sheets etc.

It was the one thing that I really spent money on for DS1 - so wasn't about to waste it, although wasn't expecting it to take so long to need it for DS2.

Iggly · 20/03/2013 13:03

You don't hear cot companies telling you this, you hear fsid, the sids charity telling you.

The risk of sids is small but how many of you put babies on their fronts in their own room from birth? Why pick and chose the advice you like - you either think sids is a risk or not.

Fwiw I did reuse DS's cot mattress for dd but it's never had a break in use, I vacuum it regularly, air it regularly etc etc and even bleached it before dd used it any sign of mould (which does mess with breathing and isn't bacteria) and I'd have got a new one.

StupidFlanders · 20/03/2013 13:14

Found this:
sidsandkidswa.org/assets/info-statements/second-hand-mattress-use.pdf

notso · 20/03/2013 13:30

As your friends DD will be using it until then I don't see the problem. The UK FSIDS advice is here and it only says ideally buy a new mattress.
I don't see why a baby needs an all singing all dancing mattress though, that is where the marketing ploys are IMO

Bumpsadaisie · 20/03/2013 13:31

Yes, if our mattress had been mouldy or looked awful I would have got a new one. No sensible parent wants puts their precious newborn on a yukky mattress.

But if it looks fine, smells fine and has been stored carefully, give it a good clean and reuse!

I didn't know I felt so strongly about this till I started posting! Normally I am very docile on here.

Thumbwitch · 20/03/2013 13:37

notso - I can't answer for the OP's friend but I wanted an all natural fibre mattress. I felt if there was likely to be anything in the mattress theory of SIDS then it would be more likely to be to do with the foam; plus I am a natural super-heater in bed and didn't want DS to overheat (which he certainly would have done on a plastic foam filled mattress - he and DS2 are also both super-heaters too)

So it was less a marketing ploy and more something I actively went looking for. :)

FireOverBabylon · 20/03/2013 13:53

weeblueberry 2nd hand bedding is fine, because you can wash it well.

I got some from a NCT nearly new sale before DS was born, the best sheets he's ever had because the size was much more generous than general cot / cotbed sheets.

space21 · 20/03/2013 15:21

I bought new mattresses for the second hand cot and Moses basket from my sister. They were foam and the risk on those types is the release of mould spores once a nice warm baby is snuggling down on it. It had been in storage for 10 years tho. Amazon has great deals as does ikea. I say if it worries you even slightly just get a new one.

Not sure how the horsehair would have faired - can you contact the manufacturer?

bluer · 20/03/2013 20:07

Going to sound like a daft question but...I've read a lot on here about cosleeping...does the bed mattress have to be new then? ours is five years old and has a foam topper...would this possibly be a problem then?

Louet · 03/10/2015 19:35

Read up on the benefits of horsehair - it has amazing health advantages over synthetic mattresses and doesn't absorb moisture (from previous children etc) so no mould. Then read about the toxins in synthetic mattresses. I'm surprised people are happy to buy a cheap new Ikea mattress for a new baby but not use an all natural product.

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