Cot mattrass?

We have been given a used cot and mattrass to go with it. Now I've always read you need to buy a new mattrass. However I also have read you should wrap your mattrass. All these wraps seem to contain some form of plastic, and if you wrap your mattrass in plastic why would you have to buy a new one?

My reason for buying a new mattrass would be so you DON'T have to wrap it. Just imagine how uncomfortable it is to lie on a non-breathing surface. (Even when you put a woolen underlay over the plastic, it's still not breathing).

I would prefer to buy my baby a latex mattrass, but there is just no way I can afford that.

Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Thanks

Issy had a 2nd hand mattress and is perfect as perfect can b ..

Elias has a new mattress, basically because the one that came with the cot was shot .. so we went out and purchased new.

I personally wouldnt want to sleep on a wrapped mattress .. and Ive read some of the "studies" on wrapping .. but just went with what I thought would make my baby comfy.

We used a secondhand mattress that came with the cot too - just aired in out in the sun for a few days before making up the cot. We use a mattress protector so I can't see what the problem is, and I would never wrap a mattress in plastic either as it just seems wrong to me. It's a real NZ thing, I don't think they do it overseas.

You can get wool protectors .. or you can get protectors which have a cotton topper then a waterproof backing.

We personally like the wool protectors as they also add a layer of squish lol (but they are more expensive than a "normal" mattress protector)

Well if you reckon the woollen ones work I'm going for one of those - feel much better about natural than plastic! Thanks