Second-hand mattress / bed linen

[Ani]

Hi Mums!

A friend of DH has given us his old cot, which we are delighted about. One less thing to buy! He also gave us a mattress and I was going to have it steam cleaned and use it. However now I have read that it is of the utmost importance not to use a second-hand mattress that comes from a different home as it is linked to cot death.

This got me thinking, we were also given some blankets and sheets from a lady that used to foster children, and obviously I have washed them, but does the same go for bed linen?

Does anyone know more about the whole second hand mattress / bed linen subject? Money is very tight and we welcome second hand stuff... but we dont want to put our baby at risk either.

Thanks.

 

[Zodiac]

Not sure what the techie blurb is behind the guidelines - but personally I wouldn't use a 2nd hand matress for a baby. I guess because you don't know how old it is, how long it's been used for, what kind of spills have been on there & how often it's been properly cleaned.

Bed linen - I would say is Ok to use tho (& I have been given some by friends which I use) because you can be pretty certain it's been thru a washing machine at least once a week.

 

[Sherlock]

Ditto the above really.

We got given a cot and mattress but as it had had a hefty baby/toddler sleeping on it for 2.5 years we are not using it and got a new mattress more suited to our baby. I'd not use a second hand mattress. Much happier knowing the one we have hasn't been used before.

Cot mattress are far from cheap Ours cost £85. The foam ones are much cheaper (£35 or so) but tbh I'd not want my LO sleeping on foam for up to 2-3 years so spent the extra and got a proper one.

 

[kellysomer]

Whilst our cot and crib were both 2nd hand in both cases we have had new matresses. We got a fully sprung air cool mattress made to measure (our cot is canadian so a different size) of Ebay, it is wonderfully soft but supportive and cost6 about £30!!! They were far far cheaper than anywhere else! Complete bargain even with 24 hour delivery included. I cant recommend them enough.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPRING-COT-COTBED ... .m14.l1318

 

[Miss.Monroe]

MIL is insisting that we use a mattress that came with a cotbed she gave us. She said its a brilliant cot and her Nieces daughter has only jsut stopped sleeping in it and shes 5!

So the mattress is 5 years old! i said to OH there is no way were using a 5 year old mattress!!

EVER BABY DESERVES A NEW MATTRESS!!

I just couldnt live with myself if something happened to Sophie because i went along with MIL reccomendations

 

[JamieIsabella]

I'd buy a new mattress if I was you.
My son died earlier on this year of cot death.
We're sure it wasn't down to his matress, but I don't want the same thing happening to you so please; buy a new mattress

 

[Ani]

OK getting DH to throw out the mattress as I am writing this... thanks for the advice. xxx

 

[nori]

I had this problem with my dad. He said my old cot (of 30 years) was fine to use and the mattress was like new. I explained that no way will i compromise on the mattress and things have changed since his day! It now turns out that the old mattress has curved edges so i need a whole new cot.

Its one thing im not backing down on though. would never forgive myself if something happened.

Claire x

 

[Ani]

I'd buy a new mattress if I was you.
My son died earlier on this year of cot death.
We're sure it wasn't down to his matress, but I don't want the same thing happening to you so please; buy a new mattress

I am so sorry to hear about your son. x