Would you buy a used crib mattress?

Molly Jean · March 2010

Why or why not?

I'm not sure if you're familiar with Once Upon a Child (gently used store for childrens clothes, toys, etc) but they have a few used mattresses available that are in good condition.

The savings difference of buying used would be approx $60-70.

The baby never touches the mattress (assuming you are using a mattress pad and then sheets, etc) so I wasn't sure how I felt about this.

Thoughts?

chantellio · March 2010

I would not, but only because of the resurgence of bed bugs in the midwest that has been happening for the past few years. You never know what you are going to get when it comes to used mattresses/couches etc.

Ivana_Stolichnaya · March 2010

Me personally...no. I just don't know how the previous owners maintained the mattress. I'd rather save money on other things before I bought a used mattress.

Used crib? Yes, (after checking that it hasn't been recalled)

Used mattress? No

berrybuzz · March 2010

its totally up to you, because we are on a very tight budget i would, we where lucky enough to get our crib and mattress bought for us, but i know you can get a sturdy mattress at walmart for around $40 so the choice is totally up to you, im all about buying used!

karatechrissy · March 2010

no, I'm a germaphobe. I don't care if baby never touched it. That's one of those things you just don't get used.

MrsMoody2006 · March 2010

Not a chance, except maybe from a close friend or family member and I know they're hygiene

jmlushbough · March 2010

I would find a way to save money on something else. I think our crib mattress was less than $100 and LO will use it through toddlerhood when we convert the crib to a toddler bed. I think that's pretty cost effective.

Plus, I wouldn't buy a used mattress for myself. Why would I make my LO sleep on one?

KristenBtobe · March 2010

No way. Bedbugs etc. You can find a good quality crib mattress for under $100, it's not worth the savings.

Molly Jean · March 2010

All very good points. Thanks for the input gals.

And as pp said, they do have to clean/treat them.. but really, how good is the cleaning job that they do at these places? I have no idea, so I guess it's best not to trust it.

Looks like I'm off to find a sale instead

paxilchyk · March 2010

Definitely not, there are plenty of other items that are worth buying used like swings etc. You have no idea how that mattress was taken care of by the previous owner(s). They may have never used waterproof sheets so God knows what could be hidden under the surface!

MrsWindyCity · March 2010

Nope. I read a study a while back that said used mattresses may be linked to SIDS. Honestly, I'm not sure if it was necessarily a proven theory, but it was enough to make me worry about it.

dstar · March 2010

I would not buy a used mattress. One of the only things I would not buy used, aside from a carseat. You don't know how the previous person keep the mattress, bed bugs and it can't be sanitized. If $$ is an issue, I would buy an inexpensive, new mattress at Walmart or somewhere like that.

Molly Jean · March 2010

paxilchyk:
They may have never used waterproof sheets so God knows what could be hidden under the surface!

Excellent point Ick!

Qmommy · March 2010

no. Crib mattresses aren't that expensive new! I bought a used glider though and I love it! Save money somewhere else but get a new mattress.

jenkm · March 2010

Absolutely not!!!!

I've read articles about studies that indicate that used mattresses are a common cause of SIDS. The reason - when baby's saliva/spitup/etc combines with chemicals in a mattress (used for fire retardant) it interacts to give off gases that can be toxic. A used mattress has it from the previous baby and you can't wash it out.

Another theory I've read is that mold can grow in mattresses - esp. when they have been stored in storage rooms, basements, attics, etc. The mold can be equally toxic.

Spring for new, no question. If you're interested, google SIDS used mattress and you'll see what I'm talking about.

countrymom11 · March 2010

My parents just purchased a used crib with mattress from some family friends that were done having children. The family has four children and it was only used on their last child. It looks brand new. I would have a hard time believing that used crib mattresses are linked to SIDS. That would mean that lots of second borns (or thirds, fourths, etc) would die from SIDS.

If you know where the mattress is coming from and you know the family, I would say go for it. I have purchased a used box spring and mattress for myself in the past...again I knew the previous owner and how they took care of things.

ChristinaD09 · March 2010

I did buy one. After much research, we decided not to use it at our house but to use it at MILs.

Having looked into the studies, I've come to the conclusion that the SIDS risk is unfounded. There IS a higher risk documented, but its because the studies that they conducted were fairly flawed--most people who buy used mattresses are lower income, and therefore far more commonly engage in things in the home that are known and serious SIDS risks, like smoking in the house. As far as I know, the US still has not endorsed the studies, which were conducted outside of the US.

The bigger issue is with germs in the mattress/the likelihood your child would be sick more often. We chose to keep the mattress and use it at MILs because of what the owner told us about it, how it was stored (it was vinyl, then had another layer with a vinyl matress cover, then a real mattress cover, then was sealed completely in a really heavy plastic wrapping all the way around it), and how rarely our LO will actually be sleeping on it.

HTH!

jenkm · March 2010

countrymom11:

My parents just purchased a used crib with mattress from some family friends that were done having children. The family has four children and it was only used on their last child. It looks brand new. I would have a hard time believing that used crib mattresses are linked to SIDS. That would mean that lots of second borns (or thirds, fourths, etc) would die from SIDS.

Actually, studies have shown that second, third, etc. borns are in fact more likely to die of SIDS than first borns, supporting the mattress theories. Some studies show that second born children are twice as likely to die of SIDS than first borns.

Rachelilly23 · March 2010

I wouldn't buy one, but my sister gave me my niece's to use, so we're using that. I'm not concerned about using hers, but I probably will do some extra cleaning on it.

ChristinaD09 · March 2010

jenkm:
countrymom11:

My parents just purchased a used crib with mattress from some family friends that were done having children. The family has four children and it was only used on their last child. It looks brand new. I would have a hard time believing that used crib mattresses are linked to SIDS. That would mean that lots of second borns (or thirds, fourths, etc) would die from SIDS.

Actually, studies have shown that second, third, etc. borns are in fact more likely to die of SIDS than first borns, supporting the mattress theories. Some studies show that second born children are twice as likely to die of SIDS than first borns.

The problem is that they are attempting after-the-fact studies of what may have caused a child to die, when we really have no idea what caused it (precisely why its called SIDS). The studies have been strongly criticized here and abroad as insufficiently scientific, for failing to account for all of the other risk factors that are far more common in low income families.

Indeed, it was just a few years ago that they thought NEW mattresses caused SIDS because of toxic chemicals, creating the drive for organic mattresses.

I can promise you that there are a vast number of children all over this world who do not get to sleep in brand new mattress in their perfect little cribs. In fact, there are alot of children in the world who don't get to sleep in cribs at all. There are also alot of parents who co-sleep despite the fact that there is a correlation between that and SIDS. Again, I think the more significant issue is with your child becoming sick as a result of germs within the mattress.

jenkm · March 2010

ChristinaD09:
The problem is that they are attempting after-the-fact studies of what may have caused a child to die, when we really have no idea what caused it (precisely why its called SIDS). The studies have been strongly criticized here and abroad as insufficiently scientific, for failing to account for all of the other risk factors that are far more common in low income families.
Indeed, it was just a few years ago that they thought NEW mattresses caused SIDS because of toxic chemicals, creating the drive for organic mattresses.

I can promise you that there are a vast number of children all over this world who do not get to sleep in brand new mattress in their perfect little cribs. In fact, there are alot of children in the world who don't get to sleep in cribs at all. There are also alot of parents who co-sleep despite the fact that there is a correlation between that and SIDS. Again, I think the more significant issue is with your child becoming sick as a result of germs within the mattress.

Understood, and I agree that new mattresses that are not organic or otherwise protected by a barrier that seals off such gases can be similarly problematic - studies have indeed shown as much. The fact is, we have a tendency to chemically treat the hell out of things in the west. I read one article that said there was virtually no SIDS in Japan until western mattresses and bedding were introduced (flame retardant and with artificual fillers and materials).

It does make sense though if you think about it, that the chemicals in mattresses and/or mold that can be there from age and improper storage could be a major factor. It explains a lot - including why babies sleeping on their backs, not using bumpers and having fans for air circulation all reduce SIDS rates.

lucisparents · March 2010

No. I'm very frugal BUT there are some things that are best new. Walmart has some starting around $35.

EM166 · March 2010

I got mine on walmart.com.....it was approx $40, and fit perfectly in the crib, is nice and firm. Look at that site, and there is probably something that you will find that works. My biggest thing was the dimensions of the mattress, along with the crib...sometimes they are off by a little bit. But, I didn't want to spend a fortune on a mattress either, found this buy, and it is great.

ChristinaD09 · March 2010

jenkm:
ChristinaD09:
The problem is that they are attempting after-the-fact studies of what may have caused a child to die, when we really have no idea what caused it (precisely why its called SIDS). The studies have been strongly criticized here and abroad as insufficiently scientific, for failing to account for all of the other risk factors that are far more common in low income families.
Indeed, it was just a few years ago that they thought NEW mattresses caused SIDS because of toxic chemicals, creating the drive for organic mattresses.

I can promise you that there are a vast number of children all over this world who do not get to sleep in brand new mattress in their perfect little cribs. In fact, there are alot of children in the world who don't get to sleep in cribs at all. There are also alot of parents who co-sleep despite the fact that there is a correlation between that and SIDS. Again, I think the more significant issue is with your child becoming sick as a result of germs within the mattress.

Understood, and I agree that new mattresses that are not organic or otherwise protected by a barrier that seals off such gases can be similarly problematic - studies have indeed shown as much. The fact is, we have a tendency to chemically treat the hell out of things in the west. I read one article that said there was virtually no SIDS in Japan until western mattresses and bedding were introduced (flame retardant and with artificual fillers and materials).

It does make sense though if you think about it, that the chemicals in mattresses and/or mold that can be there from age and improper storage could be a major factor. It explains a lot - including why babies sleeping on their backs, not using bumpers and having fans for air circulation all reduce SIDS rates.

Interesting about Japan. And yes, I agree that it makes sense. I just think the science isn't there to back it up yet. Not to say that it won't be someday, but I do tend to be more hesitant to take at face value such claims, particularly when US companies (such as the mattress companies) are profiting hugely from the fear that has been instilled. I also just disagree generally with making new (and therefore easily fearful) parents feel like they have to have "new" everything--particularly when our country is already so consumeristic. There are so many parents that simply can't afford to provide new things for their children, and they shouldn't be made to feel like they are doing anything wrong buying used when the science is rather shaky in the first place.

93516634 · March 2010

No. Never. I am in NYC where there is a bedbug problem. Charities (Goodwill, SA, etc.) will not even take used mattresses.

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