Using a 20 year old mattress?

[cabbageleaf]

We are staying at my aunt's next weekend, and she has just told me on the phone that she has set up her son's cot for DS. She told me the mattress is just fine, she has kept it in the cellar for the last 20+ years (my cousin is 26) in a plastic bag, hoping to use it again for "the next generation of babies". I'm not keen on DS sleeping on a mattress that has been kept in a stuffy cellar for two decades, I wouldn't want to sleep on it myself, or am I just being fussy??

Ugh, no!

How old is your baby? SIDS guidelines warns against using old mattresses with young babies, and I think this is due to them likely being stored in damp lofts/garages which encourages mould grown, even if you can't see it.

Even if he's much older, I wouldn't be too thrilled about an ancient mattress being talked about like it's a precious heirloom

I wouldn't either. DH's parents kept his and had to be told. To be honest, their house is so cluttered with shit like this that they've kept, so we don't stay with them.

No definitely not

Don't do it to be polite. I would just be honest (and take a travel cot!)

No I wouldn't do it, just explain to them that new guide lines recommend new mattress for every baby. Both my nan and mum bought new mattress when my dd was born. If not just take a travel cot :)

I would take a travel cot. It's not worth the risk at all.

No. I wouldn't want any baby to sleep on a 20 year old mattress that besides probably having been peed/spewed on, will unlikely conform to any current safety regulations. It might not look mouldy but I wouldn't risk it.

New mattress or travel cot.

I wouldn't particularly like the idea of sleeping on that mattress let alone my baby! Travel cot I think!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I vaguely remembered something about old mattresses being connected to SIDS. I was very surprised because my aunt is usually obsessed with health&safety, but apparently she feels very sentimental about her DS's cot! We are definitely going to take the travel cot.

Don't take a travel cot, buy a new mattress and take that. If possible, do a sneaky exchange.

The cot itself should be fine. Easily cleaned/disinfected. Should just needs to buy a new mattress for it. Surely it's the appearance of the actual cot that holds the sentiment and memories, not the mattress that is covered up anyway?
If you tell her she might buy a new one.

I remember my DSis's cot mattress (big age gap) from around same time. It was foam with holes going right through the head end. Wouldn't be classed safe now.

If you're not sure, then go down the "DS doesn't settle well in strange places, so a familiar cot helps" route.