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  | bun_in_the_oven   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 09 February 2009
 Location: Wellington
 Points: 294
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Topic: why ? Posted: 07 July 2009 at 2:47pm
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   Do you need a brand new matress for a baby ?? 
 I have brought a second hand cot (which passed all the safety standards etc) and I have been told many times you need a new matress ... which i will do...
 
 but why ? whats the REAL rational behind this ?? does a new matress really lower the risk of SIDS ... its it a consumer ploy ?? is a new matress cover not sufficent ?
 
 Im finding it really hard to gather the facts... any ideas appreciated... thanks
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  | mamanee   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: Hamilton
 Points: 2244
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 2:56pm | 
 
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   I bought a second hand innersprung mattress from trademe for $20.  It had no stains or rips or tears and I made sure it was aired out before I used it.     It had only been used for one child before and I don't see anything wrong with buying a second hand one.
 Shock horror, I didn't have a plastic cover on it either!
 
 It had a mattress protecter, an aircell blanket and a fitted sheet and I've got a healthy two year old who slept on it until he was 16 months old.
 
 I will be using the same cot and mattress for this baby too.
 
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  | BugTeeny   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 11 July 2008
 Location: Sunny Tauranga
 Points: 6676
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 2:59pm | 
 
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   I recall this being asked before, I remember reading this site .
 Personally, when it comes to bedding (for myself, also) I prefer new.
 Mainly cos you don't know what's been on that mattress.
 Especially babies - vomit/urine/faeces etc. 
 Maybe I'm just a bit too paranoid about other people's dirt    | 
 
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  | Febgirl   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 10 August 2007
 Points: 1033
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 3:04pm | 
 
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   I'm the same as NeeandSam - our second hand cot came with a mattress, we just put it outside in the sun to air out for a couple of days. I don't like the idea of plastic sheets wrapped on top of the mattress so we used a cotton mattress protector. 
 Was never really a concern for me - we had an angelcare monitor as well though which was worth its weight in gold, I'd buy secondhand and use the savings towards getting one of those if seriously concerned about SIDS.
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     Two little girls under 2! 
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  | jazzy   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 16 January 2009
 Points: 8858
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 3:05pm | 
 
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   Well I used the family cot for DS1 &2, so the mattress was well used. 
 I bought a new mattress for it when DS2 was using it; he was over 1yr & was able to dive out of the cot as the new mattress was higher, so went back to the old one.
 
 I have bought a few cots off TM & used the mattress that came with them, with no problems. 
 I think if they are clean, aired in the sun & well looked after they are fine. 
 It is good ventilation that is important around baby's face so I stopped using the big thick bummer pads.
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  | Red   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: West Auckland
 Points: 1452
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 3:40pm | 
 
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   I agree with MamaPickle - I would not buy a second hand mattress for myself to sleep on so would not do so for a baby.  
 
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  | lisa85   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 11 September 2008
 Location: Christchurch
 Points: 2465
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 3:47pm | 
 
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   I have a hand me down mattress from my sister for our bed lol It's possibly the best mattress I've ever slept on    The girls also have second hand mattresses also from my sister. It's a year on and the twins haven't complained once so I guess it's fine by them.
 Mind you I probably wouldn't buy a second hand mattress from a stranger because you just never know. I'm all good with family hand me downs though.
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 TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS
 MC April 2010
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  | ElfsMum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 04 June 2007
 Location: Christchurch
 Points: 11702
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 5:41pm | 
 
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   i also only get new(helps i get them half price) but there is proven risk in the straph bug or whatever it was that is often on used mattresses so I didn't want to take the risk. (I'm paranoid enough without that!:) ) 
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     Mum to two amazing boys!
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  | LadyLizard   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 12 February 2009
 Points: 362
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 6:00pm | 
 
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   Whats the deal with the plastic wrapping? Do you then put something else on top of that?
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  | mummyofprinces   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 10 February 2008
 Location: Hibiscus Coast
 Points: 8627
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 9:47pm | 
 
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   You should put a cotton blanket on top of the plastic cover and then cotton sheets on top of that. It stops the plastic sweating.
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  | WestiesGirl   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 11 October 2007
 Location: Aotearoa - In the 'Sunny' S.I
 Points: 4550
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 07 July 2009 at 10:37pm | 
 
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   Im with MP and Red. Personally for me its the unknown and not knowing where its been or who or what has been on it.
 We have bought new for this bubs. I waited for the sales and then laybyed it.
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     Our Angel July 08    Gone but not forgotten  
   And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
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  | LadyLizard   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 12 February 2009
 Points: 362
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 08 July 2009 at 8:08am | 
 
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   The babesafe website says not to sleep a baby in a "clothes bag" I assume this means a growbag- anyone know why?
I thought these were safe because they breathe and also no blankets lessens the risk?
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  | bun_in_the_oven   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 09 February 2009
 Location: Wellington
 Points: 294
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 08 July 2009 at 9:45am | 
 
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   even the NZ SIDS website doesnt really give much info on this.. 
 im not convinced on any of it to be honest cause i dont think they know themselves ?!!
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  | busyissy   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 16 January 2007
 Location: Hamilton
 Points: 675
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 08 July 2009 at 9:26pm | 
 
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   From what I've been told it is because as the mattress ages it begins to release some of the chemicals used to make it in gas form and this can increase the chance of SIDS. That is second hand information though.
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  | CarrieMum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 08 May 2008
 Location: Hamilton
 Points: 1025
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 11 July 2009 at 11:20pm | 
 
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   That's what I heard too Saffron, that as the mattress gets older it starts to release chemicals that can increase risk of SIDS.
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