Still REALLY confused about re using cot mattresses

[catbus]

I can still not find anything that actually tells me why it's not ok to use the same mattress between siblings.

There will be 2.9 years between last DC and new arrival. We bought a sprung mattress from Mothercare, which although has a plastic bottom, has a fabric top; no cover.

It's been stored under our bed, so has got a fair bit dusty I expect.

What do people think if I give it a good airing and steam clean, then put a terrys waterproof sheet on top?

I am so paranoid that we have always got a new mattress for each child; last time was the only one where we forked out for a sprung one not a foam one.

I just don't get WHY you have to change each time? Is it the firmness or the potential germs??!!

We sometimes have co slept; same mattress in our bed; one I have given birth on more than once, so surely that's worse??!

Sorry if this is a repeat thread.

It's to do with the bacteria in the mattress, I think. Babies have very vulnerable immune systems, so need a new mattress as ones used by other children, even other siblings, may still have bacteria in them.

I've also read on here that it can also be to do with a breakdown of plastics within the mattress which can release fumes (in tiny amounts, but even so)

My Mum thinks we're insane for throwing away 'a perfectly good mattress' but I'm an anxious type and need to do everything to minimise risk for my own sanity (esp when they're teeny)

TBH, we've just moved DS into a bed after 2.6 years on his Mothercare sprung mattress and it's knackered, so will def be getting a new one for that reason alone.

I am using the same mattress. Its a very good sprung one and in good condition.

The NHS cotdeath leaflet does not mention this (2nd hand matttress) as a risk factor and less risk with a sibling that a mattress that you don't know where its been.

I'm going to be reusing our sprung Ikea one which is still in excellent condition. It was only ever used with a thin cotton cover, a waterproof sheet and at least 2 top fitted sheets so I know for sure it never got wet/soiled in any way. DD used it until 2.5 and it will have been stored for around 2 years by the time the next one needs it.

My ds' mattress was in what i thought was good nick - he wasn't a sicky or leaky baby and dribble never made it as far as the mattress (copious sheets muslins etc!)

But when we took it to the tip I took the removal cover off and there was mould, I cut through the fabric a bit and it was minging inside. So glad we got rid of it.

Regardless of the advice, my ds slept on it for 2 years. Compared to the new one (identical model) it was 2 inches flatter!

I haven't bought anything else new for dc2 but this was the one thing I thought she deserves new!!!

Oooo gawd; mould??!!

And re; breakdown of plastics, I am not sure how much of that is an issue with a sprung mattress?

I worry about everything even the nasty factory toxins in the mattress from production!

Any thoughts on steam cleaning it? Would it be enough to blast it?

I suppose it depends on how much paranoia or anxiety I can deal with relating to this whole thing. There has been a cot death in my family, although quite a few years ago now, I have worried about all my babies so given in to a new mattress each time.

Still, we co slept with each also and didn't buy a new mattress for our bed so am in a quandry still...

The difference is that if you are co-sleeping you are much more likely to notice if something is wrong (IMO), whereas if there is something wrong and they're in their own room you may not notice so quickly
(sorry, don't mean to be blunt)

Sorry to hear about the cot death in your family .

I had to be resusitated as a very young baby, so am uber paranoid vigilant

Blimey Jareth; that's full on. I mean the bit about you as a baby..

Yes, I get what you mean re; noticing; they are always in with me in the bed/ cot butted up to bed, depending for quite some months, so that's not an issue really.

I suppose I am just confused because I can't find anything concrete that states WHY in a way that everyone agrees on. It doesn't seem to be anything people are agreeing on in particular; more like a lot of things and some speculation. It would be good if in the guidelines they would say why as supposed to pretty much saying change your mattress.

I think you are right and it's more about my sanity when they are especially tiny.

Can you afford a new mattress?

Also, some mattresses aren't made to last more than a few years - what did it say on yours?

Ours is a cotbed so no 2 will be sleeping on it until her feet are overhanging so feel it's a good investment for a potential 5 years use

sorry, didn't mean to freak anybody out..
wish my parents had never told me though, it's made me extra anxious about DS (I still check his breathing at night and he's 2.7!)

Personally I would just buy a new mattress, but the conspiracy theory side of me questions whether it's all totally necessary (and is just to make more money for Mothercare retailers). The anxious crazy side always wins though

You know who may well have good info? Try John Lewis baby department - they're always full of useful stuff. I've never spoken to them about this particular issue, but it's worth a go if there's one near you?

Sorry - I've just realised that I am being pretty OTT - I hope I haven't worried you too much. x

From the sidscotland website:

'Two research studies carried out by The Scottish Cot Death Trust have shown an increased risk of Cot Death for babies sleeping on a mattress previously used by another baby. The risk was very small if the other baby was an older brother or sister in the same family but higher if the mattress was second-hand from another home. More research is continuing on this subject but meantime you may choose to avoid any potential risk by buying a new mattress. Otherwise, make sure the mattress is very clean, dry and in good condition. It's best to choose one which is totally covered with plastic which can be easily be washed down.'

I used the same one for DD and DS. It had a plastic cover, which i washed and hoovered before DS started using it. I also bought a new thick mattress cover to go between mattress and sheet, which I wash very regularly.

No you haven't Jareth!

Digging; Didn't say but it's a sprung Mothercare one, amicor something or other so would have thouht it was built to last. Having said that, what is these days?

No can't really afford one but would get one if I cracked at the last minute.

Anyone; steam cleaning???

previous MN thread

try again!

if you're planning on co sleeping you could just invest in good quality waterproof mattress protectors etc to balance it all out

i dont buy new

steam cleaning fine so long as it is bone bone dry

that whole foam thing was disproved

The scientific stuff is here:

www.sidsandkids.org/documents/SecondhandmattressesInformationStatement.pdf

In summary:

"Although there is some evidence to show that there is a higher incidence of SIDS on some second hand mattresses, it is not known what condition these mattresses were in or what position these babies slept in. There is no evidence to show that the risk of SIDS increases for babies who sleep on their back and on a firm, clean, well fitting mattress that is in good condition."

[I posted this last time under a different name!]

Well, I spoke to MW about it all today; she seems to think it'll be fine to reuse, and agreed about the fact that my mattress has been used to co sleep at least 2 kids over the years..

Think I will clean it and see if I feel differently in a few weeks!

Thanks for all the input

The advice I've seen is that if it's been a bedroom all the time, it's probably fine, but if it's been stored in a garage or attic, there's more risk of mould spores (which would explain why mattresses that go straight from one child to another are fine, but getting one from a friend who's had it in her garage for 6 months isn't).

Ds2 is still sleeping on the one that Ds1 had.

the ones in the hospital have been used by other babys and if u go away to a hotel its been used - and what about ones in nurserys-im sure they dont buy a new one for each child!! im using a 2nd hand one i cant afford a new one - i think as long as u use your initative that it looks clean - shows no signs of mould and u give it a good hover and clean then put a materess protector on it should be fine.

i think you need to trust urself more - any mum is gunna makesure its spotlessley clean before letting her baby sleep on it weather its second hand or not!!!

If you go to the FSID website:

fsid.org.uk/Page.aspx?pid=418 and have a look at the Bedtime Basics pdf it does say that ideally each new baby should have a new mattress but it doesn't say why. I spoke to the medical advisor to FSID about another issue when my DD was a baby. He said that they know certain things increase the liklihood of SID, but they don't necessarily always know why. Frustrating when you are trying to make an informed decision.

I was confused on this issue and asked my older sister who has two kids and researches EVERYTHING! Advice from her was still vague - she said the theory behind the need for a new matress each time was because 'stuff' could grow in the matress, but conversly there is opinion that a brand new mattress contains chemicals that are equally bad if not worse and you shouldn't use a matress less then 6 months old!! Now hands up who thought to get a cot matress in and airing to get rid of nasty chemicals 6 months before DC due?

I was under the impression that the advice was to do with weakening of the mattress rather than mould etc., especially with the cheaper foam mattresses. If you've had a heavy toddler kipping on it for a couple of years it wouldn't then support a newborn in the same way as a new mattress would.

But I suppose it makes sense about storing a mattress in the house if you plan to reuse it, rather than a garage, loft etc., where dust, mould, rats pee etc might get into it. Presumably this is why secondhand mattresses from unknown sources would be more risky - they could have any of the above, plus urine, sick, cigarette smoke, festering away for years. I don't think I'd want my newborn sleeping on that!

Does anybody know if you can get replacement covers for mattresses? I have a Mothercare sprung one with a top layer that detatches with a zip. I'd rather just replace that than have to shell out for the whole thing!