Would you use a second hand carry cot that can't be cleaned?

[Babyquestions2018]

Bought a second hand carry cot, as figured it won't be used for long so no point in wasting money.

Then when I got it, I found out that a.) you can't buy new mattresses for it and b.) it cant' be cleaned! The only covers that come off are the sheet for the mattress, and the fabric for the hood.

The fabric all around the side of the cot (where baby's head will be) and the outside etc, is all attached to the carry cot itself and can't come off to be washed.

As I didn't buy it from someone I know, is it safe to use? I feel so anxious about this sort of stuff so I'm wondering whether just to buy a brand new one now.

The SIDS prevention advice is to buy a new mattress for every baby using a cot, carrycot or Moses basket. Something to do with the potential for bacteria on a previously used mattress.

What make and model is it? The manufacturer are bound to sell spares or you might be able to get one from Mothercare if it’s a standard size.

Sorry OP I wouldn't use it.

I've got second hand/borrowed stuff and the first thing I check before I accepted/got them is whether the mattresses can be replaced and whether any other fabric fittings are washable. If not I don't accept them.

I wouldn't be concerned about the outer fabric, I'd just give it a good scrub with disinfectant and leave it out to dry (I did this with a pushchair and a carseat [from dsis so no accident concerns].

The mattress is more worrying. There is a belief that some cases of SIDS relate to a bacteria. Is there a mattress for another carrycot which is the same size that you could buy?

Theres a site that custom makes any size mattress. Then you can just put the new one in the old washed cover.
Or you could cut one to size yourself, it's only foam.

Here it is babymattressesonline.co.uk

I wouldn’t if I really couldn’t buy a new mattress for it - but that is unusual - what type is it? I measured mine and bought a Moses basket one which was a perfect fit - there are quite a few different sizes of mattress available eg mamas and papas is quite short, John Lewis and mothercare are a bit larger etc (I have a Quinny Dreami, with a Mothercare Moses basket mattress). Would that work? I would be a bit concerned about the lining - is there any way to remove even if it means undoing a seam and then stitching back up once clean?

I agree there’s almost nothing that can’t be cleaned. Diluted laundry soap, sponge, disinfectant, dry in the sun. It’s different if you mean you can’t clean it easily or regularly with a tiny baby around, but as a deep clean before using I can’t see what the problem is.

I’d price a custom made mattress, or cut foam to size (and air thoroughly before use). It may be cost-effective, it may not.

I don't understand why you can't buy a new mattress for it?

It's a Joie Ramble carry cot. So apart from the hood, none of the lining etc can be taken out to be cleaned.

They've said they don't sell mattresses for it. I've even checked on their spare parts website.

Can you steam clean it?

Taken this photo from an online review of the pram - it's not mine.

You see all the white bit around the sides? None if that comes out to be cleaned. (Obviously the white sheet underneath comes out). So my concern is the baby will have its face up against the sides where the fabric hasn't been cleaned. I might be being a bit precious about it though, hence asking for opinions.

Ditch it and buy new one or one from friends that isn't dirty - or put it on new baby wish list.

Look at how big the mattress is and then google for a mattress that size? It doesn’t have to be the same manufacturer.

I think having their face against it is a non issue. They’ll have vomited on it and all sorts in no time. Just spray and sponge it.