Did you buy a new cot mattress for each baby?

We bought a new mattress for the moses basket but only because it came with the basket (which we had to replace - long boring story). We didn't buy a new cot mattress - our previous one was a really good one (and expensive!) and I just didn't see the point. Particularly because I put a towel between the linen and the mattress and then usually a cloth nappy or piece of muslin on top of the linen but under baby to protect things from spills/leaks, so the mattress was in top condition.

We bought our cot and mattress new for #1, used a mattress protector and didnt buy a new one for #2 and wont be for this one either.

With #1 we borrowed a basinette so bought a new mattress,..then with #2 we bought a new basineete and new mattress and will use it again for #3.

We bought a cot mattress for DS and will use the same one for the new baby. Like the others who have replied, we have always used a mattress protector for it.

Thanks guys. I'll definitely buy a new bassinet mattress for the one Im borrowing. I checked and baby shops can order a cariboo sized mattress in for about $30.
Maybe I won't change our cot mattress as its only been used by DS and had a mattress protector on it at all times. It has been in storage for about a year now though but fully wrapped up in plastic wrapping. I wonder if this matters?
Its the talk that using the same mattress for another baby is a risk for cot death that worries me. I've been doing a bit of research on it and saw this quote...
Writing in the British Medical Journal, the authors, led by David Tappin of the Scottish Cot Death Trust, said: "There is a valid statistical association between sudden infant death syndrome and use of an infant mattress previously used by another child".
Anyway I guess I'll see how I feel later down the track and decide then.

I guess it depends on how comfortable you feel. If it would put your mind at ease and you can afford to then by all means get a new mattress

We didn't have long between each child but made sure the mattress had a couple of weeks being aired out before putting the next one in it

I got an innersprung one with #1 & it's not a fancy padded one so haven't replaced it with subsequent children but always have a mattresss protector, a blanket & then the sheets on top.

We bought our mattress for DS and use the same one for DD. It has a mattress protector on it for a month or two till it kept DS awake, and hasn't had one since. DD actually sleeps on a sheepskin, so thats probably considered bad too!

Our bassinette had at least 4 babies on it, but was borrowed from family so we new how it had been cared for. DD was only in it a month before we moved her into her own bed and room.

We bought our mattress brand new for DS1 and it had a mattress protector on it, then a lamb skin on top of that then the bedding. I took the mattress protector off (can't remember why tho?!) just before DS2 was born. I would happily use it again no problems.