Second child do I need a new cot mattress??

FZwanab

What do you do in a hotel on holidays abroad? I have had 3 kids and have used the same mattress for all of them, have used the same car seats too. Have used the same clothes and the same pram and buggy. We wash out sheets and car seat covers regularly so I don't see the problem. When the children were small we put them lying on their backs and made sure the room temperature was ok etc.. You can be too fussy as well.

abijanzo

I hate the fact that companies like mothercare play on the fears of often first time parents. When we went to look at cots/mattresses for my DD1 (now 2) we were practically told 'shame on you' by the sales assistant in Mothercare for asking 'why cant we just buy the cheaper one?' Oh no it needed ventilation, cool max, polywolydoodleathene coatings and bells and whistles or our baby would be at serious risk of cot death! What tripe they talk in order to get you to pay ridiculous sums of money for 'peace of mind'.

We went for a sprung one with a waterproof coating that came half price at BabiesRus in the end - because it was supportive (we wanted it to last at least 4 years) and practical for potty training / spills etc.

We are now looking for a cot/mattress for our soon to come DS1 but as my DD1 is still using the cotbed as a junior bed I will need to buy a new one - otherwise I would happily use the same mattress, as it has no dips, is still firm and looks/feels as new.

I read somewhere recently that the guideline is now that your baby has a 'clean mattress' not necessarily a 'new' one. Makes sense to me. But having said that, I'm referring to my PVC covered sprung mattress. If it were a foam one that had been previously soaked in baby vomit/urine/milk then I'd buy a new one....I wouldnt use a 2nd hand mattress from someone I didnt know for a newborn, but I will use the same moses basket mattress as my DD1 had for DS2.

I think common sense is needed not a blanket 'you must buy a new one' attitude...and certainly not 'you'd never forgive yourself if something happened' type comments!

HappySad

Will get a new mattress for cot but will call that organisation about getting one for carry cot. My son will use his current cot mattress to sleep at the foot of our bed on the floor.

I would go on the extra safe side. Saying that your children were OK with old mattress is not Ok for me. There are plenty of parents who smoke & their child is Ok but they are those who are not. The organisation would be able to let me know if there is an increase risk...

shirlgirl2004

Becles wrote:

There's 2 years between my boys. When I found out I was expecting my youngest, I put the eldest in a bed, so the cot was only empty for a few months. I didn't bother with a new matress then.

I'm buying a new one this time as although I still have the matress, it's been up the loft and it's really grubby and tatty, so I think it'll be better buying a new one rather than trying to clean the old one up. I wouldn't fancy sleeping on it, so I don't think a baby would!

What's the comment on car seats about? I've still got a tiny baby car seat which will be 10 years old now, and was going to use it for the baby as it's in excellent condition and has no signs of wear on it. I've never been in an accident with it. Is it not safe to use now due to it's age?

You shouldn't use a car seat over 5 years old because the plastic degrades and becomes more brittle so it's not likely to withstand the impact of a car crash. It does seem a shame though and not very environmentally friendly.

benood

Crikey we must be dreadful parents, raised our three on a second hand mattress, albeit with a waterproof sheet. That they all survived must have been a remarkable fluke.

But seriously I think that you should take Mothercare's sales talk with the respect it deserves as Abijanzo says. If the mattress is in good condition keep using it - if it gets drenched in vomit perhaps you think about changing it - but that's independent of having a new baby I think.

Gingham_Ribbon

Spendless wrote:

Advice from FSID website

http://www.fsid.org.uk/faq-current-topics.html

From this link:

Ideally you should buy a new mattress for each new baby. If you are not able to do this, use the one you have as long as it was made with a completely waterproof cover (eg PVC) and has no tears, cracks or holes. Clean it thoroughly and dry it. Check that the mattress is in good condition; is firm, not soft; fits the cot without any gaps; and doesn’t sag. ‘Ventilated’ mattresses (with holes) are not recommended as it is not possible to keep the inside clean.

I phoned the advice line as we were looking at mattresses today and I wasn't convinced by them. The saleslady tried to tell me my old mattress wasn't safe because PVC isn't breatheable. The lady on the helpline above told me that provided the above guidelines were met and it was covered with bedding that could be washed at a high temperature, there was no reason not to use the old one. (And obviously the baby should be placed on his back too.)

So we're sticking with the one we have provided after we check it over we don't find any holes etc eg if the cats have found it and clawed it.

across

shirlgirl2004 wrote:

You shouldn't use a car seat over 5 years old because the plastic degrades and becomes more brittle so it's not likely to withstand the impact of a car crash. It does seem a shame though and not very environmentally friendly.

which sounds silly when in the shops they tell you the carseat is for age 4 to10(or 9 i cant remember!) and you wont need to buy another! i chose the car seat the started with harness then crossover seatbelt then eventually booster for both my girls and will not be buying another just because it goes over five years as by then they will almost old enough to not use any so it doesnt make sense to sell a carseat to grow with your child if it doesnt cos after 5 yrs you throw it! what a silly idea, at weekends they use my nephews seat and booster if they go in my sisters car for short journeys and that is ten yrs old i must be a very bad mother!

Becles

I've had a look at my old car seat and it seems fine, so I'll just use it for baby.

Will buy a new cot matress though as the one up the loft is really grubby. It was PVC one with a zip on breathable fabric cover, but the fabric has gone all manky and really grubby looking. I think I'd be happier buying a new clean one rather than trying to clean the old one up.

Kelinik

We had one of the cheaper foam-covered-in-waterproof-cover type mattresses and used it for both DDs. It would never have occurred to me to replace it as there was only 2 yrs between our girls, it was in perfect nick and being waterproof hadn't absorbed anything and could be washed down well. To be totally honest if babe is being slept on a clean, firm (ie not mis-shaped or sagging) mattress on his/her back, feet to foot, not too warm and so that covers can't get loose then I struggle to see what difference all the fancy new sprung, ventilated etc features make.

gravitytolls

No, stick with what you've got.

I'm not suggesting Mothercare, or any other outlet are scare mongering, but their job is to sell stuff, and that's what they're doing ... giving you the hard sell.

Who doesn't want the best for their babies? Who is really going to allow their child to use something which may not be up to the minute in the latest safety innovations?

Your mattress will be fine. When the ne mattress safety laws were brough into play, parents were advised to wrap foam mattresses in plastic. Yours is already covered, it isn't very old, and you will be follwoing all other safety sleep advice.

It's a stinker when you're at your most vulnerable getting ready for a new baby. But you have nothign to worry about, your babe will be just fine and lovely and adorable in every way.

Don't worry, just enjoy., Good luck.