Would you use a used crib mattress?

[flamingo25]

We are expecting our first baby in November.

A close friend has offered us her crib mattress that her son has outgrown. It is about 3 years old, was only used for one child, is high-quality, and comes from a very trusted source (we go to their house often and it is clean, etc.).

However there is a lot of hysteria out there about used baby things. According to Google and my local FB mom's group I am a cheapskate and lazy parent for wanting to accept a used mattress and am putting my child at risk for SIDS, etc.

What do you think? Accept the mattress and ignore the hysteria? Or shell out the cash for a new mattress?

[meep]

I'd take the mattress if bedbugs aren't a concern. I'm all about used as long as it's safe and sanitary. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a stranger's used mattress but a close friend? Sure, why not?

ETA: I guess I should add that I co-slept with both my kids so I never bought a baby mattress.

[gaja]

There is a lot of hysteria, but there also is a proven higher risk of sids. One solution is to have a few washable layers between the mattress and the kid, not just a thin sheet.

The reason for the increased risk, is that even though the mattress looks clean, it is impossible to prevent leakage from a baby. And those fluids are a good medium for growing bacteria.

[justajane]

I honestly didn't understand the increased risk for SIDS argument against used crib mattresses. Did they ever isolate why? If not, I wouldn't worry about it. Formula feeding is also linked to a higher SIDS risk. Does that mean moms should kill themselves to breastfeed even if it doesn't work out and they are miserable? I don't think so.

All my kids slept on a used mattress that is (gasp!) covered in plastic. And I have no idea where it came from before my neighbor gave it to me.

In some respects, wouldn't a used mattress that is waterproof like mine be better because it has out-gassed more?

[flamingo25]

There is a lot of hysteria, but there also is a proven higher risk of sids. One solution is to have a few washable layers between the mattress and the kid, not just a thin sheet.

The reason for the increased risk, is that even though the mattress looks clean, it is impossible to prevent leakage from a baby. And those fluids are a good medium for growing bacteria.

This is my biggest concern. If we decide to use it we would use a new mattress cover over it. Also thanks for your rational, non-mommy-hysteria response.

[sol]

Everyone has a used mattress after the first night of use anyway.  Don't pretend that your baby will somehow be cleaner than someone else's baby.

If you're worried about bacteria, which I think is misplaced, you'll help much more by changing the baby sheets every day than by getting a new mattress.  As a parent, I assure you that this is very unlikely to happen. 

Remember that babies poo themselves daily, so it's not like they have to be protected from all possible sources of microbial exposure.

[Argyle]

I used a thirty-year-old crib mattress as part of a set lent by a friend.  (Yes, I checked out that the crib met modern safety standards.)  Anyway, no problem.

[Mongoose]

If I'm remembering correctly, one big concern with used crib mattresses is mold growing inside the mattress from it getting wet inside. I got a new mattress for the crib set that we inherited since the mattress had been stored uncovered in high humidity for years. I kept the new mattress very dry (plastic layer under absorbent layer) and reused for #2. Worked fine. I would have taken a used mattress from a trusted source. I still have the crib but the mattress is stored separately from the frame (better climate control for the mattress).

[gaja]

Everyone has a used mattress after the first night of use anyway.  Don't pretend that your baby will somehow be cleaner than someone else's baby.

If you're worried about bacteria, which I think is misplaced, you'll help much more by changing the baby sheets every day than by getting a new mattress.  As a parent, I assure you that this is very unlikely to happen. 

Remember that babies poo themselves daily, so it's not like they have to be protected from all possible sources of microbial exposure.

There is a middle ground between no exposure and full exposure to the bacterial flora of both your own home and the neighbours'. And when science tells me to take it nice and easy when introducing the baby to the world outside the womb, I'm happy to do so. It takes a while to build up a full set of beneficial bacteries in the small bodies, and it takes a while to build the immune system. It is the same reasoning that made us sterilize bottles and clean pacifiers in boiling water the first few months, and then gradually getting more relaxed, until we didn't react very strongly when the little monster ate dirt and other brown stuff that she found on the ground (ok, there might have been a bit of mouth wash in one or two cases, when it was too gross). When we got #2, #1 was in kindergarten and brought home every single microbe she could find. #2 was sick from the day she came home from the hospital; loads of snot, fever, throwing up, etc. No fun, luckily she was robust.

"It went well for us" is a horrible bad argument, similar to "climate change is not real, since summer in my town was cold". The recommendations are based on huge number of data, and gives the statistical probability. When you know the risk, you can decide if you think the benefits are higher than the risk in your specific case. Another factor that has shown to be negative, is co-sleeping. We took some precautions (separate duvee, big bed) and co-slept in the worst feeding periodes. YMMV, but we always try to make educated choices adapted to our situation.

[elaine amj]

Your mileage may vary.

For us, we did - bought a crib set with mattress from DH's co-worker who we didn't know particularly well. No idea what their living standards/conditions were like. Wiped it down, threw a clean, but used cribsheet (bought from a yard sale) on it and let the baby sleep. Used it for #2 as well. I don't recall any extra illnesses other than usual baby stuff.

The again, I didn't buy into the SIDS hysteria.

1. I used crib bumper pads even though it was a no-no. #1 slept on her back with a sleep positioner...and frankly, never squirmed close to the bumpers. I used them because I liked how they looked. I watched her and didn't feel there was any real risk. Then again, she was not a squirmy baby and was usually tightly swaddled anyway.

2. I co-slept occasionally, with a special co-sleeping tool or any special maneuvering with blankets. I did pay attention the first few times and noted that I woke easily and was always watchful. Decided that the risk was reasonable. Then again, I am rather claustrophobic so only co-slept on occasion.

3. #2 was a tummy sleeper. I would lay him on his back as per "instructions" but he would flip over, even as a small baby. I finally decided to let him sleep as he preferred.

Do what makes YOU feel comfortable. DH has some rather irrational fears sometimes (and some that are very rational). I'm more laid back but find it all works better when we make decisions ALL of us feel comfortable with, even when I think he is being a little excessive.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

My sister is  a NICU nurse. SIDS is real. She said that after she became a nurse (after her second child) that she would have another home birth (and did, for #3) but that she would not cosleep again, knowing what she knows now. (Baby #3 slept in his bassinet.)

Anyway, I would use the mattress you describe unless you have concerns about your friend's home (like smoking or something).

I found bumper necessary once baby started moving around--they would get their little arms stuck. I got the mesh kind that are supposed to be breathable. I had had some pillow ones, but they seemed super-deadly, so I got rid of them.

[MBot]

I wanted a used crib mattress over new.

My biggest concern is off-gassing, and given that it is way less risk for that I would definitely use a used crib mattress (and plan to) since I'm not going to buy some fancy schmancy new organic one.

That said, I'm getting it from a friend who has a clean home, uses mattress pads and there shouldn't be any moisture issues.

[wordnerd]

Yes, I would. I've heard that used mattresses are correlated with SIDS, but I would wager that using a used mattress is a marker for something else (like being poor and issues related to that). If you want to reduce the risk of SIDS, I'd focus more on these issues:

http://www.cdc.gov/sids/parents-caregivers.htm
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/sids/conditioninfo/pages/reduce-risk.aspx
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Kids-and-Babies/Cribs/Crib-Safety-Tips/

[TVRodriguez]

Depends on the source. Your source sounds good. Regarding SIDS, I seem to remember that a fan circulating air in the room where baby sleeps can reduce the risk of SIX by 74%.  I think we read that when one of ours was a newborn.

Back sleeping is important until baby can flip over and then can choose how to sleep.

Congratulations!

[Circle of Control]

I've done a lot of things I "shouldn't", so it's how comfortable you are with not following the rules. It's a sweet little baby so I bet you want to be pretty careful within reason. We had a ton of used baby stuff. I would either wash it or dry it depending on the item to try and kill anything. For our crib mattress I had a used one I had been saving forever up in the rafters of my attic. When I went to pull it down I found it had mold growing on it. I could have just washed the exterior, but I threw it out and used a new one. If it hadn't had mold I would have used it.

My child has the best immune system of her peers, she gets a tiny cold about 2xs a year. She crawled on floors with dogs and cats, ate food that fell on the floors, has used clothes, toys and bedding. I don't care if she shares food with peers at school, I figure the more germs the better. Our toddler bed is a used one from craigslist for $20. Use your best judgement on used stuff, and remember how hysterical we are as a society of germs.

I've never heard of sids from a used mattress (as the other responder mentions), I'd love to see the link to the research. We also co-slept the first 4 months which you "shouldn't" do, so that used mattress would have been less of a problem if it had worked out. Congratulations on your baby, I LOVED the first few months, even with the lack of sleep.

[FLA]

Everyone has a used mattress after the first night of use anyway.  Don't pretend that your baby will somehow be cleaner than someone else's baby.

If you're worried about bacteria, which I think is misplaced, you'll help much more by changing the baby sheets every day than by getting a new mattress.  As a parent, I assure you that this is very unlikely to happen. 

Remember that babies poo themselves daily, so it's not like they have to be protected from all possible sources of microbial exposure.

ITA, especially if the covering is waterproof, bleach it, scrub, leave it out in the sun.  Google what can withstand that and see if you can live with the answer. If you keep it and are still concerned cover it in a waterproof mattress cover, clean sheets often, etc.  But if this is an issue you are going to be concerned about no matter what you do, then by all means, buy one.  They aren't much but then there's the gas being leeched into the air.  I would stick with the used mattress as long as I felt comfortable about getting it clean enough. 

People are still sterilizing bottles?  I nursed but there were occasional bottles, my ped said that was not necessary anymore unless there were issues with your water source.  He said putting them in the dishwasher was plenty to kill germs. That was 18 yrs ago, the books I read backed him up.  Maybe things have swung back that way

[gaja]

I had to sterilize when my daughter was tiny because she was super fragile, but we don't now at five months. It's no longer considered necessary for healthy babies in the United States, I believe.

I have not heard that the WHO has changed their advice: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/PIF_Bottle_en.pdf

But again; it depends on your baby and your enviropnment. I had a lot of milk, and donated to the hospital. So we sterilized a lot of equipment and the few bottles we used the first three months. When my milk wasn't good for the hospital anymore (composition changes as your baby grows), we stopped sterilizing.

Still, some hygiene and common sense is needed if you use formula. You can't build an immune system against botulism. That can grow if you mix formula and keep it at room temperature for several hours.

[Sibley]

Someone mentioned this... toddler beds? As in, a special sized mattress for a toddler? So, you buy a special small sized bed frame, put a special, small sized mattress on it and use special, small sized sheets. All this special sizing costs more! What the hell is wrong with getting a twin size mattress (or any standard size!) and putting the toddler to bed in that? For that matter, why the hell do you put a toddler farther from the floor? You know they're going to roll all over the place! The number of times I remember falling out of bed as a child, thank goodness my mattress was on the floor.

Sorry, rant over :)

[KCM5]

Someone mentioned this... toddler beds? As in, a special sized mattress for a toddler? So, you buy a special small sized bed frame, put a special, small sized mattress on it and use special, small sized sheets. All this special sizing costs more! What the hell is wrong with getting a twin size mattress (or any standard size!) and putting the toddler to bed in that? For that matter, why the hell do you put a toddler farther from the floor? You know they're going to roll all over the place! The number of times I remember falling out of bed as a child, thank goodness my mattress was on the floor.

Sorry, rant over :)

A toddler bed uses a crib mattress and sheet. So really you're just buying the frame.

Not that my kid ever slept in a toddler bed or anything. But they're not quite as crazy as you think they are.

Also, as an aside, I thought I had done a lot of child safety research when my child was an infant, but I never came across this used mattress/SIDS association. We got a used mattress because I was concerned about off-gassing and I also almost always buy things used rather than new (environment, price, bla bla bla). I would have done something different had I known.

[justajane]

Someone mentioned this... toddler beds? As in, a special sized mattress for a toddler? So, you buy a special small sized bed frame, put a special, small sized mattress on it and use special, small sized sheets. All this special sizing costs more! What the hell is wrong with getting a twin size mattress (or any standard size!) and putting the toddler to bed in that? For that matter, why the hell do you put a toddler farther from the floor? You know they're going to roll all over the place! The number of times I remember falling out of bed as a child, thank goodness my mattress was on the floor.

Sorry, rant over :)

A toddler bed uses a crib mattress and sheet. So really you're just buying the frame.

Not that my kid ever slept in a toddler bed or anything. But they're not quite as crazy as you think they are.

Also, as an aside, I thought I had done a lot of child safety research when my child was an infant, but I never came across this used mattress/SIDS association. We got a used mattress because I was concerned about off-gassing and I also almost always buy things used rather than new (environment, price, bla bla bla). I would have done something different had I known.

Yes, and many cribs have toddler conversion kits. I have to say that I have loved our toddler bed. I wish we had gotten one for our first, but we didn't feel it was worth the cost. Then my mom bought one at a garage sale for $10. All wood, low to the floor, all in all just freaking adorable. My middle child slept in that for 2+ years. At five, he technically could still fit in it, but we switched to bunk beds for him and his older brother. It's stored in the basement for when my youngest gets older. I like the smaller footprint they have. It makes a kids' room seem much larger and enables more kids to share a room.

My friends with twins were able to stay in a smaller home for a few extra years because of toddler beds. Two twin beds really wouldn't have fit in the tiny sized bedroom their twins shared. So, in essence, those toddler twin beds saved them an untold amount of money, since they didn't upgrade their house as soon. They would also be a boon for city living as well.

FWIW, though, we keep our kids in cribs until they are three. I like having them contained as long as possible - for their safety and my sanity :). Although kid #1 did start crawling out by the time he was 2 1/2.

[justajane]

The IKEA Sniglar crib is $80, looks nice, and includes the parts to turn it into a toddler bed by removing one side, though you may want to spend the $10 for a rail if your child is prone to rolling out of bed.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50248541/

That is pretty high off the floor. The falling-out-of-bed possibility is largely why we went with a "real" toddler bed rather than a crib conversion. Ours is like this: http://www.toysrus.com/buy/toddler-beds/solutions-by-kids-r-us-toddler-bed-espresso-7148-607-33731036

Since they are only used for a short time, one can usually find a used one in good condition.

[FLA]

I had a $90 convertible crib from Target on sale.  When ready for a toddler bed, you could get it quite close to the floor and obviously, it took the same mattress. 

[TVRodriguez]

The IKEA Sniglar crib is $80, looks nice, and includes the parts to turn it into a toddler bed by removing one side, though you may want to spend the $10 for a rail if your child is prone to rolling out of bed.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50248541/

That is pretty high off the floor. The falling-out-of-bed possibility is largely why we went with a "real" toddler bed rather than a crib conversion. Ours is like this: http://www.toysrus.com/buy/toddler-beds/solutions-by-kids-r-us-toddler-bed-espresso-7148-607-33731036

Since they are only used for a short time, one can usually find a used one in good condition.

We used the IKEA crib for our third child, and it has a lower level, which is quite close to the floor (you can see it in one of the photos on the IKEA website).  DS regularly fell out from the toddler bed as he got bigger, and often he did not even wake up.  We bought it new and it lasted until DS was 4, when we donated it along with the mattress, both of which were in great condition.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Our "toddler bed" was a mattress on the floor. No falling out! Little Brother still sleeps on a twin mattress on the floor (he's 3) as we sold the crib when we moved cross-country last year and have not bought him a bed.

[Sibley]

Someone mentioned this... toddler beds? As in, a special sized mattress for a toddler? So, you buy a special small sized bed frame, put a special, small sized mattress on it and use special, small sized sheets. All this special sizing costs more! What the hell is wrong with getting a twin size mattress (or any standard size!) and putting the toddler to bed in that? For that matter, why the hell do you put a toddler farther from the floor? You know they're going to roll all over the place! The number of times I remember falling out of bed as a child, thank goodness my mattress was on the floor.

Sorry, rant over :)

A toddler bed uses a crib mattress and sheet. So really you're just buying the frame.

Not that my kid ever slept in a toddler bed or anything. But they're not quite as crazy as you think they are.

Also, as an aside, I thought I had done a lot of child safety research when my child was an infant, but I never came across this used mattress/SIDS association. We got a used mattress because I was concerned about off-gassing and I also almost always buy things used rather than new (environment, price, bla bla bla). I would have done something different had I known.

Yes, and many cribs have toddler conversion kits. I have to say that I have loved our toddler bed. I wish we had gotten one for our first, but we didn't feel it was worth the cost. Then my mom bought one at a garage sale for $10. All wood, low to the floor, all in all just freaking adorable. My middle child slept in that for 2+ years. At five, he technically could still fit in it, but we switched to bunk beds for him and his older brother. It's stored in the basement for when my youngest gets older. I like the smaller footprint they have. It makes a kids' room seem much larger and enables more kids to share a room.

My friends with twins were able to stay in a smaller home for a few extra years because of toddler beds. Two twin beds really wouldn't have fit in the tiny sized bedroom their twins shared. So, in essence, those toddler twin beds saved them an untold amount of money, since they didn't upgrade their house as soon. They would also be a boon for city living as well.

FWIW, though, we keep our kids in cribs until they are three. I like having them contained as long as possible - for their safety and my sanity :). Although kid #1 did start crawling out by the time he was 2 1/2.

Ok, they have their place. But when you're buying a 2nd crib mattress b/c the new baby needs the crib....

[tonysemail]

Someone mentioned this... toddler beds? As in, a special sized mattress for a toddler? So, you buy a special small sized bed frame, put a special, small sized mattress on it and use special, small sized sheets. All this special sizing costs more! What the hell is wrong with getting a twin size mattress (or any standard size!) and putting the toddler to bed in that? For that matter, why the hell do you put a toddler farther from the floor? You know they're going to roll all over the place! The number of times I remember falling out of bed as a child, thank goodness my mattress was on the floor.

Sorry, rant over :)

A toddler bed uses a crib mattress and sheet. So really you're just buying the frame.

Not that my kid ever slept in a toddler bed or anything. But they're not quite as crazy as you think they are.

Also, as an aside, I thought I had done a lot of child safety research when my child was an infant, but I never came across this used mattress/SIDS association. We got a used mattress because I was concerned about off-gassing and I also almost always buy things used rather than new (environment, price, bla bla bla). I would have done something different had I known.

Agree with Sibley.  Both my kids (4 & 6) sleep on mattresses on the floor. 
It works great when they are young enough to fall out of bed.

Back when I did my googling on SIDS, the studies I ran across were about New Zealand.
There is some mention of used mattresses correlating to 3x higher rate of SIDS.

http://www.johnleemd.com/possible-explanation-sids.html
https://www.healthychild.com/has-the-cause-of-crib-death-sids-been-found/

This was before I found this website.
It seemed plausible enough to me... so I bought a gas impermeable bag and covered my mattress.

[Merrie]

Someone mentioned this... toddler beds? As in, a special sized mattress for a toddler? So, you buy a special small sized bed frame, put a special, small sized mattress on it and use special, small sized sheets. All this special sizing costs more! What the hell is wrong with getting a twin size mattress (or any standard size!) and putting the toddler to bed in that? For that matter, why the hell do you put a toddler farther from the floor? You know they're going to roll all over the place! The number of times I remember falling out of bed as a child, thank goodness my mattress was on the floor.

Sorry, rant over :)

A toddler bed uses a crib mattress and sheet. So really you're just buying the frame.

Not that my kid ever slept in a toddler bed or anything. But they're not quite as crazy as you think they are.

Also, as an aside, I thought I had done a lot of child safety research when my child was an infant, but I never came across this used mattress/SIDS association. We got a used mattress because I was concerned about off-gassing and I also almost always buy things used rather than new (environment, price, bla bla bla). I would have done something different had I known.

Yes, and many cribs have toddler conversion kits. I have to say that I have loved our toddler bed. I wish we had gotten one for our first, but we didn't feel it was worth the cost. Then my mom bought one at a garage sale for $10. All wood, low to the floor, all in all just freaking adorable. My middle child slept in that for 2+ years. At five, he technically could still fit in it, but we switched to bunk beds for him and his older brother. It's stored in the basement for when my youngest gets older. I like the smaller footprint they have. It makes a kids' room seem much larger and enables more kids to share a room.

My friends with twins were able to stay in a smaller home for a few extra years because of toddler beds. Two twin beds really wouldn't have fit in the tiny sized bedroom their twins shared. So, in essence, those toddler twin beds saved them an untold amount of money, since they didn't upgrade their house as soon. They would also be a boon for city living as well.

FWIW, though, we keep our kids in cribs until they are three. I like having them contained as long as possible - for their safety and my sanity :). Although kid #1 did start crawling out by the time he was 2 1/2.

Ok, they have their place. But when you're buying a 2nd crib mattress b/c the new baby needs the crib....

That's why big sister got a new twin-size bed when baby brother's birth was imminent, even though she had a while before she would outgrow the toddler bed.

I mean, you just do what works for your family, you know?

[mm1970]

We are expecting our first baby in November.

A close friend has offered us her crib mattress that her son has outgrown. It is about 3 years old, was only used for one child, is high-quality, and comes from a very trusted source (we go to their house often and it is clean, etc.).

However there is a lot of hysteria out there about used baby things. According to Google and my local FB mom's group I am a cheapskate and lazy parent for wanting to accept a used mattress and am putting my child at risk for SIDS, etc.

What do you think? Accept the mattress and ignore the hysteria? Or shell out the cash for a new mattress?

If it came from a friend?  Totally.

When we replaced the crib with a twin bed, we got bed + mattress off craigslist.

We have two boys and have now gone through 2 cribs (because they were 6+ years apart), and we donated both cribs and mattresses when done.  We had both mattress covered with protective covers too.

(I would only worry about pet hair, smoking, and bed bugs honestly, and it sounds like you don't have to worry about those).

[TVRodriguez]

I like the smaller footprint they have. It makes a kids' room seem much larger and enables more kids to share a room.

My friends with twins were able to stay in a smaller home for a few extra years because of toddler beds. Two twin beds really wouldn't have fit in the tiny sized bedroom their twins shared. So, in essence, those toddler twin beds saved them an untold amount of money, since they didn't upgrade their house as soon. They would also be a boon for city living as well.

This is us, too.  We have 3 kids in a single room, and we had the older two in twin beds and the toddler in a toddler bed (the IKEA crib converted).  When our youngest outgrew the toddler bed, we donated all their beds and got two bunk bed sets from IKEA to put against one wall to leave space on the floor.  DS8 has the top bunk with DS4 under him.  DD6 has the top of the other one, which is lower to the ground, and the bottom of hers is a sort of reading nook on a cushion on the floor, but it could be a bed for a sleepover guest, too.  I linked below.  There are tent things on the top bunks to discourage jumping and also make it cozy.

On the floor space, DS8 has an armoire in there for his clothes (with a lock so he can keep his treasures safe from the younger ones), and DS4 has a baby dresser that DH converted to a mini-closet for him.  DD6 gets to store her clothes in the bedroom closet. So they all have their own space for their stuff.  And there's a floor to ceiling bookshelf for most of their books.  But that still leaves some space on the floor to play.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20102451/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80253814/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10300475/

We actually have a third bedroom, but the kids like to be together.

[elaine amj]

My sister is  a NICU nurse. SIDS is real. She said that after she became a nurse (after her second child) that she would have another home birth (and did, for #3) but that she would not cosleep again, knowing what she knows now. (Baby #3 slept in his bassinet.)

Anyway, I would use the mattress you describe unless you have concerns about your friend's home (like smoking or something).

I found bumper necessary once baby started moving around--they would get their little arms stuck. I got the mesh kind that are supposed to be breathable. I had had some pillow ones, but they seemed super-deadly, so I got rid of them.

I know SIDS is real. That part there is no question. The SIDS hysteria seems rather ridiculous to me. Especially since they have no real idea what causes SIDS (which is why the deaths are classified as SIDS - its an unexplained death). They have tons of studies on correlation, and we all know that's not proof.

Again, I reiterate - do what will help YOU sleep better at night. There is risk in everything single thing we do. Find a level of risk you are comfortable with and go with it. Then again, I did bow to peer pressure and did not install a latch on the outside of my toddler's door. He drove me crazy since baby gates couldn't hold him in - but too many ppl were absolutely horrified (fire safety, I think - they rarely went into detail about what was so horrible about it) when I mentioned I was thinking of it.

[justajane]

My sister is  a NICU nurse. SIDS is real. She said that after she became a nurse (after her second child) that she would have another home birth (and did, for #3) but that she would not cosleep again, knowing what she knows now. (Baby #3 slept in his bassinet.)

Anyway, I would use the mattress you describe unless you have concerns about your friend's home (like smoking or something).

I found bumper necessary once baby started moving around--they would get their little arms stuck. I got the mesh kind that are supposed to be breathable. I had had some pillow ones, but they seemed super-deadly, so I got rid of them.

I know SIDS is real. That part there is no question. The SIDS hysteria seems rather ridiculous to me. Especially since they have no real idea what causes SIDS (which is why the deaths are classified as SIDS - its an unexplained death). They have tons of studies on correlation, and we all know that's not proof.

Again, I reiterate - do what will help YOU sleep better at night. There is risk in everything single thing we do. Find a level of risk you are comfortable with and go with it. Then again, I did bow to peer pressure and did not install a latch on the outside of my toddler's door. He drove me crazy since baby gates couldn't hold him in - but too many ppl were absolutely horrified (fire safety, I think - they rarely went into detail about what was so horrible about it) when I mentioned I was thinking of it.

Yeah, it's determining whether something is correlation or causation. I tend to think that stomach sleeping might be more causation, just as the temperature/airflow of a room and having a smoker in the house might be. What this means is that, if your kid has a predisposition to SIDS based on prior health history or an unknown brainstem abnormality or any of the other myriad of possible causes listed, that one of these might make SIDS more likely to occur.

They have said that SIDS deaths at daycare centers disproportionately occur in the first week of care, oftentimes in the first hours. This is likely due to a change in behavior or conditions that exacerbated the underlying health issue.

But I just can't seem to understand what it would be about the used mattress other than the bacteria argument, but in our case, we have always used a waterproof cover or encased it somehow.

If used mattresses are really a SIDS risk, how could childcare facilities function at all? You would need to provide your daycare center with a brand new mattress that only your child slept on as well. Does anyone actually do that?