Is "New Baby, New Mattress" Still Valid Today?

The saying "New Baby, New Mattress" gained popularity in the late 80s as a precautionary measure against potential health risks associated with cot mattresses. Back then, concerns arose about bacteria and fungus growth on cot mattresses, as well as the release of toxic gases when body fluids reacted with flame retardant chemicals used in foam manufacturing - and also cheap foam that sank and dipped.

The impact of the subsequent Back to Sleep campaign resulting from these measures was remarkable, leading to a significant decrease in SIDS cases and producing a huge decrease in cot deaths.

Some of the rules in the Back to Sleep campaign included ensuring you had a new mattress for your baby and keeping body fluids away from the foam core with a waterproof protective cover.

"New Baby, New Mattress" became so powerful that parents wouldn't risk putting their baby on a used or secondhand mattress.

Today's Concerns

Today, new concerns have emerged regarding environmental sustainability. Rather than discarding perfectly usable mattresses into landfills, here are some guidelines to consider:

When You Should NOT Reuse a Mattress

• You're unsure about its history, maintenance, and cleanliness
• Did the urine get to the core? This means no secondhand mattresses loaned to you by a friend or bought on eBay
• The mattress didn't have washable covers and a waterproof protector to preserve the core
• There are visible dips or dents - they'll lack firmness and support
• If you stored the mattress in the attic without sealing it in a plastic bag

Your new baby must have a firm mattress. Any dips or dents and a loss of firmness? Then it's off to landfill!

When You CAN Safely Reuse a Mattress

You can safely reuse a mattress for another child if:

• You're aware of its history and can verify it was well maintained - no body fluids got past the waterproof protection to hit the base
• The mattress has a waterproof protector (preferably wipe-clean or washable) that prevents body fluids from reaching the core, whether it's made of foam, springs, coir, or lambswool
• The waterproof protector was placed beneath a washable cover and over the base
• The covers have been regularly washed at 60°C, effectively eliminating dust mites
• The mattress shows no visible dents or dips and has been well maintained
• The mattress has been stored in a clean condition, with all covers, toppers, and protective base covers washed before storage and sealed in a plastic bag

The Modern Solution

New top-of-the-range mattress designs can give up to 10 years of service. They're made of quality components that won't sink or dip. They have machine-washable toppers or covers that wash at 60°C, and they have waterproof protection around the mattress core.

These are the best mattresses that stand the test of time.