Waterproof covers and SIDS

[charcb]

Hi all!
The brand of crib I have has a non standard mattress size and unfortunately they don't offer water proof mattress protectors. So I started looking elsewhere for other protectors that matched more or less and it occurred to me that I can just buy a large mattress protector (ie the size you'd use for a cot bed) then tuck it in / fold it for use in the crib. What I'm worried about is whether this can increase SIDS risk so should I buy something that more closely matches the crib size? Lullaby trust guidance once says you need a waterproof cover but doesn't say anything about whether it can be larger than the mattress size and then folded.

You need a waterproof cover? I've never heard that and didn't have one for my DS - I have one for his cot bed for once he's out of nappies. I would have thought waterproof less breathable?

But no, I'd get a well fitting sheet - you'd be amazed at how much they can wiggle about!

How much bigger is the sheet? Can you sew some bands of fabric to it to hold it to the mattress so it can't bunch up? Would a waterproof pillowcase fit/could you tailor it to sit between the mattress and a normal fitted sheet?

I'd be wary of this one as I think the waterproof side would stop your baby being able to breathe through it if it did end up over their face

I never had a waterproof cover on mine.

Could you pin it so the excess is all well folded under the mattress. I would have thought it would be fine as long as the surface was flat with nothing poking out

What about nappy/puppy pads under the sheet? That's what I used. Although I'm not sure what the sleep safe rules are on these

The cot mattresses are usually waterproof, so you can just wash or dispose of the sheet and replace and be reassured that the mattress will be fine

Please don't get any thing that is too big, it must all fit tightly.

If you are wanting to protect the mattress why not get several fitted cot sheets - the correct size for your cot

Then if the baby has a leaky nappy you just take the top cot sheet layer off

I would think that a plastic sheet would be a bad idea

It would get the baby sweaty

If the baby turned over much harder to breathe against a plastic sheet

You can get washable fabric (not plastic) pads that can absorb lots of liquid - can't remember their name though ~ They go under the fitted sheet. They can be used over and over again then wash them and tumble dry them

I was on an online antenatal course the other day and the lady running it said if you think you need one, just put a puppy pad under the sheet as they are thin :)

Last time we had a matress which was waterproof then had a zip off breatable layer over the waterproof layer.
The waterproof are invaluable if you have a sickly baby or nappy accidents. I would only have sheets that were too big on a babys matress if using the straps with clips that keep them taught underneath but you are best getting ones that do fit correctly. You could try a seamstress, they may be able to alter a bigger sheet so it fits correctly.

Hi all, thanks so much you all raise some good points. I'll look into something that fits better or even the puppy pads. I was honestly disappointed seeing that this brand doesn't do waterproof mattress covers - would have thought it was needed when they're for babies who presumably at some point have accidents and leaky nappies.

What brand of crib is it? People on here may have found something that worked for them

I never had a waterproof cover, if there were leaks they weren't sufficient to harm the mattress and I found using those dry-nite nappies there really wants anything that escaped during the night.
Even if the mattress for a bit stained, I'd be throwing it out when that child had grown out of it.

We used one of these: www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk/organic-cot-mattress-protector-60x120cm/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvYXQ5ePQ7wIViZntCh0QpwxnEAAYAiAAEgK1MfD_BwE

Good point! The brand of the crib is Bednest - they're a Dutch company. If anyone has found something that works let me know!

It's true that the crib will only be used for some months (theoretically the 6 they sleep with you) then can be chucked out as you can't reuse it for another child so maybe I'm panicking unnecessarily. My main thought was that if the mattress was wet then baby can't sleep there the next night?

OP I had a bednest for dc2. We definitely just used the mattress that came with it - I think it had a cover? Honestly get a decent absorbent nappy for overnight and I'm sure it will be fine.
Bednest has had some negative safety publicity since I had it so do be sure to follow their instructions to the letter. We were happy with the crib and I loved having a bedside one instead of one further away.

The mattress itself will often have a wipeable waterproof outer covering so I didn't use a separate protector

I had a snuzpod and used their mattress protector. It's not the same dimensions but it's a flat sheet rather than one with an elastic edge so it wouldn't be too hard to tuck the edges under and secure it under the fitted sheet if you wanted. I'd say one that more closely matches rather than doing lots of tucking in would be best. Lots of people here saying they didn't use one but dd was so sicky early days that it was sometimes needed. Hard to know before baby arrives!