Mattress dilema

[topsec]

I have been getting lots of conflicting advice regarding cot mattresses. I have kept my cot and mattress from my previous pregnancy (child now aged 4) and people are telling me that I should get a new cot mattress for my new baby. My previous baby was never sickly in his cot etc etc, no animals have been near the mattress and we have a smoke free house. What do you all think out there???

[oldgrape]

it's due to your previous child sweating, breathing (spit, condensation) it is best to get a new one!!! also the chances are bacteria has built up on the mattress and all sorts of germs due to the above reasons

[sense4all]

I would buy a new one.

[TheBirches]

I would also buy a new one - one that has been used before is likely to have formed to the shape of its previous occupant and won't therefore give enough support to your new baby. Good luck!

[888sally888]

I would def buy a new one too.

[redcrx]

i would buy a new one.
We had the family crib for our son and when it was passed down to us we bought a new mattress.
we have now passed it on again (2 years later) and even though our son slept in it for a total of 4 weeks we have told the new mum to buy her own mattress.

[pixie_woo]

Hi

My baby book says to buy a new mattress. Apparently using a 2nd hand mattress increases the risk of SIDS although it doesn't elaborate on the reasons for this.

Sorry can't be more specific.

[sense4all]

In response to pixi woos answer above I seem to recall ( and this is from years ago when my son was born - 90's) that there was a big debate as to whether when the matress foam was degenerating through age, some gassy/ chemical toxin was released as a by-product of the process. Some babies were more prone than others to being affected by this ... I do not remember this ever being proven one way or the other, and it was suggested that from a checklist of five things that cot death ( now called sudden infant death syndrome ) usually had occured to a disproportionate percentage - in circumstances when three of the five criteria had happened.
Then the whole 'back to sleep campaign' was launched as that was one of the other things to be taken into consideration.

[taperface]

The same as with your own bed, mattresses wear out and harbour germs and mites. For the sake of a few pounds, I would suggest you invest in a new one for your baby, and keep a mattress cover on it.

[bogdan_evanzo]

Before starting to make a decision better look for descriptions and reviews. It's possibly to find good ones at http://mattressesguide.com

[Wfit]

I'd grab a new one.
After time, bacteria builds up on mattresses that's almost impossible to clean without harmful chemicals.

Although this is fine for an adult, a child's immune system is a lot more delicate and both the chemicals and the bacteria can be hugely troublesome, even dangerous.

I'd suggest grabbing a cheap/mid priced cot mattress like the ones here:
http://www.mattressma...on=sidebar&menuid=264