How important is it to have new mattresses for newborns??

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We have been very kindly given a swing crib from a lady on Freecycle. Our moses basket from our DD got ruined as it was in the loft when we had a roof leak last winter. The Lady who has given us the swing crib has also found the mattress for it.

Would I really need a new mattress or could I get away with washing this one and using it??

Also would I need to get a new mattress for the cot bed, which was new and only DD slept in.

No.It isn't important.
No link betweeen mattresses and SIDS.

I'd just give the swing crib one a good airing maybe out in the garden?

Thanks, she did say the crib would need a clean. I was planning on putting the mattress (if it will fit) in the washing machine on a 60 degree wash.

TBH I am still in shock that people can be so kind, I never in a million years thought that she would choose me. I have sent her a bottle of wine and a thank you card as it is a very generous and kind thing that she has done.

Eh? I thought there WAS a link between new mattress and SIDS.

So why does everyone say you should get a new one then?

Link between old mattress and SIDS I mean. Something about vomit bacteria?

It never seemed entirely logical to me.

I've always heard/read that you should always get new mattresses, so was unsure what to do!

I'd get new mattresses. They're not shockingly expensive, and you'll get the £190 grant anyway.

Otherwise, every time the baby's ill, I'd be wondering "perhaps it's the old mattress"...?

It's from FC, you don't know how much sick/diarrhoea/other things have been on it.

brand new crib mattress, £12.

I would not take the chance esp with the crib mattress for the sake of £10 it is not worth the risk.

I have bought new matresses for my crib/pram/and cot even thought it has just been my dd in them before and she is only 22 months - so they havent been lying around for long.

I think the link is to do with babies being sick on the old mattress and the germs transferring to new babies.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1935034.stm There's a more useful link.

I did loads of research on the net trying to figure out exactly why you are told to get new mattresses and couldn't find anything that linked SIDS to old mattresses.

I was lent a moses basket and used the mattress it came with (was new) and also use the very expensive sprung mattress that came with the cot I was given.

The link's seven years old, stroppyknickers. I thought it the idea had been discounted but then again, a new mattress at £12 sounds like cheap peace of mind.

Yeah I know - just the first one when I googled - i thought the advice was still relevant, I haven't heard otherwise.

It's not the money I am bothered about, it is finding the money lol and just thought if I could get away with using it then I would.

I will be going to buy a new mattress for the crib, but do I really need one for the cot bed which my daughter only slept on for a little over 6 months. We didn't put her in her own room till 6mo and by 12.5mo DD was in her own single bed. That mattress was brand new along with the cot and only DD had slept on it.

This was on here only last week www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/741514-How-important-is-it-to-have-new-mattress-with-SIDs

I put on some findings at the end - essentially, probably better to have a new mattress, but even just a new waterproof cover on an older mattress is beneficial.

HTH