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Original poster

SIDS - conflicting advice online

30 replies

Angelina77 · 23/05/2014 14:44

Just after a bit of advice from anyone who's looked into SIDS and what you can do to reduce risk.

I've found various things online that say it is caused by mold growing in mattresses and blankets but the NHS site says the causes are unknown.

Although I've got a brand new cot, I've got a second hand travel system (up to 2 years old with 2 babies having used it previously) and I was planning to use the pram part for daytime sleeping, like a moses basket. My car seat is also second hand and he will probably spend a fair amount of time in it. My other worry is that I have a new foam mattress on my bed which is giving off an earthy smell which I'm paranoid is mildew forming inside (there are no visible marks on it but the smell is odd) and he'll be sleeping in the same room.

Am I being paranoid? Would you use the second hand pram mattress or should I buy a new one? Should I worry about the bed mattress or not? I'm 36 wks with my first so not much time left to get organised.

OP posts:
snapple21 · 23/05/2014 14:46

I bought a new pram mattress for mine for only 15 pounds from amazon, it came in a few days. I wouldn't risk it.

nyldn · 23/05/2014 14:47

I think all mattresses should be new and carpets should not be secondhand.

nyldn · 23/05/2014 14:47

*carseats, not carpets

Original poster
Angelina77 · 23/05/2014 14:52

nyldn when you say car seats shouldn't be second hand, is that to do with SIDS or because you think they're unsafe?

OP posts:
ohdearitshappeningtome · 23/05/2014 15:02

If you can't guarantee the history of a mattress or a car seat then you shouldn't use it IMO!

Mattress are cheap enough it's the car seat that costs a little more, mind u kiddie care have a very reasonable sale on at moment

blamber · 23/05/2014 15:08

Yep mattress should be new. Car seat should be new too in case it was previously involved in an accident or has damage you can't see, making it unsafe.

Never heard about mould causing SIDS.

I think it's unlikely your new mattress had mildew. It may just be the smell it gives off due to being new.

Original poster
Angelina77 · 23/05/2014 15:09

Its a maxi cosi seat with an isofix base, I think I can remove and wash the main padded part of the seat so would that be ok? It hasn't been in an accident so no reason to think it wouldn't be safe.

I've ordered a new mattress from Amazon just now, as he'll probably spend a lot of time in the carry cot.

OP posts:
Rockchick1984 · 23/05/2014 17:32

How old is the car seat? If 5+ years the plastics can be corroded so wouldn't be safe in an accident - I think they say somewhere what the date of manufacture is.

Re mattress, I'd get a new one for peace of mind. It's highly unlikely anything would happen, but for the sake of under £10 for a small foam mattress it would be devastating if anything were to happen!

Fairypants · 23/05/2014 18:10

The baby mattress should be new for every child so needs replacing. Your new mattress probably has odour associated with the manufacturing process so I'd probably try to air it as much as possible before baby arrives (take sheet off and leave uncovered where possible for a while).
The car seat is nothing to do with SIDS but it is recommended you not buy second hand in case they have been in an accident. It could be unsafe without showing signs of damage. I would use if it was given by a close friend or family member (who takes these things seriously). There is a recommendation though that newborns should not be in a car seat for more than 2 hours at a time due to the posture though so maybe don't pan on baby being in the car seat so much?

eastmidswarwicknightnanny · 23/05/2014 19:01

We had second hand maxi cosi for first knew it's history n washed covers (utube how to get buggers on n off)

Mattress must all be new we had second hand cot n crib but brought new matresses.

Gave all baby stuff away last yr when moved as had huge sort out n hear we r 13wks pregnant so will be buying again!

eastmidswarwicknightnanny · 23/05/2014 19:05

Meant to say one thing I will buy is an apnoea mat baby monitor either angelcare or tommee tippee so worth the money used last one til little one stopped using cot at 2yr 4mths

It's one piece equipment I recommend to families I work with as a maternity night nanny - personally having experienced cot death in our family n being a children nurse experience at work anything to reduce risk is worth doing

A police officer once said to me if he had his way all parents would be issued with one on delivery n told to use til 2yrs old (this was following an 18mth old sids)

Clargo55 · 23/05/2014 19:05

Maxi-cosi say that their seats have an expiry date of 5 years. This is due to the plastic degrading over time and becoming brittle leaving its safety compromised.

I would not use one if it was more than five years since is was manufactured. You can usual find a sticker with the date on the seat somewhere.

Clargo55 · 23/05/2014 19:09

Sorry I cannot do clicky links on my IPad, but here's a list of car seats expiry of different brands.

www.childrestraints.co.nz/expiry-table.php

Original poster
Angelina77 · 23/05/2014 19:13

Thanks all, the seat is less than 2 yrs old so I'm not going to replace it. I've ordered a new pram mattress so I think I can relax now.

OP posts:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 23/05/2014 19:14

As long as the car seat is from a friend who you can trust will tell you the truth about whether its been in an accident then I think it will be fine.

AuntieMaggie · 23/05/2014 19:28

Make sure you also check that the pram is suitable to be used as a bed in place of a moses basket ad some of them aren't

Original poster
Angelina77 · 23/05/2014 20:20

Why wouldn't it be suitable to sleep in? I'm only going to use it for the daytime, probably only a few hours a day, at most. He'll be in a cot at night.

OP posts:
Clargo55 · 23/05/2014 20:21

Some are not supportive enough or breathable. Maybe just give the manufacturers a call to double check?

AuntieMaggie · 23/05/2014 20:35

If you're following the advice to keep baby sleeping in the same room that you're in (ie when you're downstairs then baby is sleeping downstairs with you and then goes up to bed when you do) then baby could be in the pram for more than 12 hours a day.

Original poster
Angelina77 · 23/05/2014 21:56

12 hrs a day? I expect he'll be on me most of the time, feeding, cuddling etc, on a play mat/bouncy chair or being changed.

It's a Quinny Buzz travel cot, has anyone else done this too?

OP posts:
ohdearitshappeningtome · 23/05/2014 22:12

I have a Moses basket upstairs and a crib in living room!

SuzanneSays · 23/05/2014 22:37

Hi, have a look at the lullaby trust website which gives clear guidelines on safe sleeping etc in relation to SIDS.

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep

sorry- cant get links to work on here!

SuzanneSays · 23/05/2014 22:37

oh- it worked!

Original poster
Angelina77 · 23/05/2014 22:43

Thanks Suzanne - I think that's pretty much exactly the same as the NHS advice, which I intend to follow.

I was going to buy a Moses basket but I thought I could save money and space with the pram option. His cot is a travel cot too, I must be a terrible mother already.

OP posts:
BornOfFrustration · 23/05/2014 22:57

You can buy breathable mattresses that fit pram carrycots. I got one from Amazon or somewhere to replace the thin one in my pram. Check the manual for the pram if you have it. It should say in there if it is suitable for sleeping in for long periods. Mine wasn't, the Oyster, so I bought a new little breathable mattress for it not that the little sod ever slept in it . I think that made it ok to sleep in, but I'm sure someone more knowledge will correct me if I'm wrong.

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