Why are you meant to buy new mattress?

[yellowflowers]

I got a great cot and mattress from freecycle - all very clean and well loved. Why is it I am meant to buy a new mattress? I mean we don't get a new mattress every time we go to a hotel or hospital - what is the thinking behind it?

Because you have a precious little bundle who has little or no immunity to bugs etc. and although the mattress may look clean you don't know what the previous baby/babies have done on it and what is lurking under there the cover.

Not 100% but I think there is also some connection to cot deaths.

Its supposed to be because of the bacteria they might be harbouring, and newborn babies being particularly susceptible. But I've bought a secondhand cot too which came with a very good mattress, and I believed the woman I bought it from when she said it was only ever used with a waterproof mattress protector on it, as it looks brand new.

Also, I'll be using a waterproof mattress protector too, which should act as a barrier in case there are any bacteria in it - you could do the same?

Obviously baby's health is the most important thing, but I hate to think about all the perfectly good matresses that are discarded and end up in landfill!

that's a good idea hattieboomboom - I will get one of those.

I'll check out the cot death advice on it too.

There must be a way of cleaning the mattress though?

I was told recently by a paediatrician friend that the guidance about second hand matresses being related to cot death has been withdrawn and no link has been proven.

I guess that just leaves the bacteria issue?

I suppose you could use a steam cleaner?

Bacteria or mould - you shouldn't reuse a cot mattress if it has been stored in a garage or attic for example. So the issue with buying seconhand is that you don't know/trust what the former owner has done.

You shouldn't need a mattress protector on a cot mattress afaik. And make sure a waterproof cover won't make it any hotter or less breathable.

I have just bought a new moses basket mattress for DC2-to-be, even though the I know the previous owner the mattress very well (DS1 ), as it has been up in the attic since he outgrew it.

For the sake of £14, I don't think it's worth any risk.

As for when she graduates into a cot, well, we'll be buying a whole new cot anyway since DS's is a cot-bed and he'll still be in his.

I emailed the FSID (Cot death charity) to ask and got this:

"Thank you for your email to our Helpline. Our safety advice says ideally a new mattress for a new baby, but we appreciate that there are times this may not be possible. Providing the second-hand mattress is still flat and firm; no holes or tears; no sagging; is not ventilated and most importantly, must have a waterproof wipeable cover over it, then it can be reused. It is essential to have the waterproof wipeable cover (which is different from the mattress protector which un-zips off), as any bodily fluids from any baby (related or not) getting into the mattress, ie, vomit, saliva, urine, etc will build up a bacterial infection and babies breathe this back in and is therefore dangerous."

Get one of these 100% sucess rate in reducing cot death in New Zealand.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0019M9K2C/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A2H238MFUNVNLQ

It's a cover that goes over the mattress and costs about £20.

Thanks yellow flowers - I'm reassured about what I'm doing as a result of the email you got from the FSID.

Just had another thought - presumably everybody that co-sleeps with a newborn doesn't get a brand new mattress for their own bed? I expect to have our baby in our bed a fair bit - wonder what I should do...

Yes my baby is quite often on our bed - not co-sleeping, just hanging out. Didn't get new mattress or bedding, and the cat sleeps on it too!!

Obviously have got new mattress for basket and cot.