To replace mattress...why?

[BeautyAndTheBump1]

I keep reading you should replace your moses basket mattress and cot mattress...as reusing them 'could mean a small increase in your baby's risk of SIDS'

...why does it increase the risk of SIDS? I've googled and can't see to find any explanation as to why. Just that it does. Just intrigued to know the answer

Not sure but wondering if it could be that the mattress wouldn't be as firm?

I think mattresses have a limited lifetime and since SIDS risk peaks at 2-4 months, you want a new mattress when baby is littlest. They also update tech so newer mattresses might be better. Finally if mattress has been stored somewhere it might affect the integrity of the mattress.

Also risk of mould spores from baby dribble, sick etc.

I don't think many people actually do this between siblings, especially if there's a small gap. We didn't anyway.

I can see that if it's been up the loft for years you might want to though.

Bacteria could potentially be present in a used mattress. From sick, sweat, urine milk etc

I reused the mattress between dd and ds as the mattress was waterproof and the cover could be removed for washing. There is a smaller risk between siblings than from a mattress from another household

This is the lullaby trust advice:

Our advice for using a second-hand mattress

There is some research that found an increased chance of SIDS when using a second-hand mattress brought in from outside of the family home, although the link is not yet proven.

Generally we would advise it is safest to have a new mattress for each baby. However, we know this is not always possible.

To help reduce the risk, we’ve put a checklist together for you.

The second-hand mattress should:

• Have been completely protected by a waterproof cover when in use before
• Have no rips or tears
• Be in good condition
• Still be firm and flat

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/product-information/mattresses-and-bedding/

The honest answer is that they don't 100% know why reusing mattresses increases the risk of SUDI, but data from every cot death in the country, going back decades, is extensively analysed and they found babies sleeping on reused mattresses to be over represented. Same way they found out about back to sleep, and feet to foot, and a number of other factors being protective. The risk is low, but it's a risk of something so horrific that it isn't worth taking.

I’ve just got a new mattress for a second hand cot we were given, the mattress was £15. Worth it for the reassurance. If we had a 2nd child fairly soon after, I wouldn’t replace the mattress.

They can develop a dip in the middle from being slept on for so long and that can cause re-breathing or suffocation.