Crib mattress

[martiniqus]

I have a dilemma and I need your input on what you would do.

Our newest baby will be here within the next month and the only mattress I have is L's old mattress that's been in the attic. It had been slept on for 4+ years and has been in the attic for the last two. It's a cheap mattress that we got a while back but it has been slept and isn't new so the chemicals should air out quite a bit.

Or should we get a new one? If we get a new one, it will only be naturepedic and the one I would like is $360 which is a huge blow to the budget. It's also a new mattress, which has its advantages and disadvantages.

So.... what would you do and why?

[AbbeysMom]

I probably buy an allergy/dust mite cover for the old mattress.

[pepperlru]

I'd use the old mattress too -- air it out, beat it, give it a little vacuum, slip a dust mite cover on it and you're good.

[Windy]

Literature says that you shouldn't use an old mattress because mold can grow inside over the years, I know those who do though. We had gotten an organic mattress from Costco for our first, and a Babesafe cover. We never ended up using the cover until our second baby when we bought a gently used crib and mattress, it smelled like the previous owners home so I covered it to make me less sick (allergies) .

After 6 years I'd probably be hesitant to use it on a new baby.

[martiniqus]

Well, a quick update... My ex-DH is giving me a mattress from our 3 year old. We bought it new for her almost 4 years ago and she slept on it up until 3 weeks ago at his house when he moved her into bunk beds so I know it hasn't been sitting in the garage somewhere. She also had a fairly decent mattress, much better than the one my 6 year old have. So, I am thinking I am more comfortable using that one with a good cover since it has been used and it's 4 years old. And she is still only 29lbs so I am thinking it should be in a pretty good condition. I am thinking this is good. Right? Right???

[martiniqus]

Literature says that you shouldn't use an old mattress because mold can grow inside over the years, I know those who do though. We had gotten an organic mattress from Costco for our first, and a Babesafe cover. We never ended up using the cover until our second baby when we bought a gently used crib and mattress, it smelled like the previous owners home so I covered it to make me less sick (allergies) .

After 6 years I'd probably be hesitant to use it on a new baby.

I have some questions for you on the Babesafe cover... Did you do all the bedding instructions?? Especially, where the baby sleeps between the sheets?? Am I reading it correctly? I am a bit confused.

[Windy]

No, we don't have her between any sheets. We put down receiving blankets then the sheet, since her bed is sidecarred I have another blanket on top to cover the edges of the mattresses. She sleeps on that blanket and has another blanket over her. She wears footed sleepers to bed.

[martiniqus]

I am thinking a receiving blanket, then regular blanket. Would that be OK you think? They are listing so many blankets on their website, I am quite lost how many I actually need.

[sookie4415]

I just wanted to reply because I have this cover and did follow their instructions...

well, what I did was this...put the cover on the mattress, then a 100% cotton towel over that, then a 100% cotton sheet, and then her sheet she sleeps on...

I have some questions for you on the Babesafe cover... Did you do all the bedding instructions?? Especially, where the baby sleeps between the sheets?? Am I reading it correctly? I am a bit confused.

[Windy]

i think the biggest reason they tell you so many covers is the coldness factor. if it were just the cover and the sheet it would feel soooo chilly. muffles the crinkling as well. I like the towel idea too. Might try that next time i change her bedding.