Having looked unsuccesfully for the correct size of mattress for the crib my mother-in-law is lending me, I decided to buy a piece of foam instead that was cut to the correct size in the shop. Does anyone know of a reason why I should not use this when our baby is born ( emitted noctious gases etc. from the foam) as several relatives have said that I should not use it due to what foam is made from (they say baby foam is different)?

I have two small children myself who both slept in different cots i.e. different mattress sizes. I would have to agree with your relatives there, the foam proper mattress's are made of is special material that helps to make sure the baby can breath properly (well ventilated). I believe you are right about gases in the mattress, the mattress's I've bought always had a tag on to say they were made with the correct material. It is much safer to have a proper mattress. I also trained as a nursery nurse so I have done some research about this sort of thing to. At the end of the day I am just a mum like yourself, I'm no authority but I would say for your own peace of mind buy a mattress. I got mine from nursery world, they can be a bit expensive but they will let you pay in interest free installments and keep the item until your baby is born. Another good place to look is a web site called www.kiddicare.com (http://www.kiddicare.com)
it's got some really great bargains and some top names. My sister-in-law and I have had loads from there. It's worth a look even if you get a mattress elsewhere. Do what you feel is best, good luck with the pregnancy.:)

Thanks for the info. I'd already really decided not to use the foam I had bought. The only problem now is to find a mattress that fits. I suppose if the mattress is too small, I could just pad the gap with a towel or a real nappy. Any tips for surviving the last 2 weeks of pregnancy as I am feeling totally fat and fed up?

Sounds like you're getting well prepared. It is frustrating when you're in the last two weeks isn't it! I can remember thinking ' I just want to hold my baby and see what she looks like'. I would just reccomend getting as much rest as you can, after all you'll need that stored energy when the babies born. It's tiring but worth every second. I also spent the last couple of weeks making sure I had everything ready in my bag for hospital. Apart from that I haven't really got any tips sorry. Just hang in there and look forward to cuddling your baby, and the look on your husbands face when he sees his son or daughter for the first time. It's exciting and scary at the same time in the last couple of weeks, you just enjoy it.:D

please, NO!

do not "Pad the gap"!!!!!

Whatever you do, you must use a mattress of the correct dimensions!!!!

Babies have been strangled by ill-fiting mattresses, allowing them to slip through the space between the rail/cot side, and the mattress. Their little bodies will slide through, but not their heads, and the babies have been suspended by their heads, and been strangled.

this is not an urban legend! ask your health visitor.

for safety's sake, please, don't put your baby at risk!!!

PT

That's a good point there! I got too wrapped up in fluffyness and didn't read properly! You are right that would be a dangerous thing to do. Apolologies for my stupidity:loopy:
A correct fitting mattress is the way to go. As plain talker said your health visitor will be extremely clued up on al the safety issues. Also worth asking her about the baby sleeping on its back and not being too hot etc. I have always found that the advice given by my health visitor was the best to go by.

A mattreess that is slightly too big is a better option. If you can find one that is a few cms bigger in length you will still be able to fit it in....this is what I ended up doing with my last one.

As for advice on healthy and safty to prevent cot death.....my mum currently supports the theory on the mattresses being that she bought all her baby things from a woman who had just lost her baby to cot death....3 months after he was born my brother died of cot death on same mattress...have to wonder don't you? Back then there was no information in cot death.
I think sleeping position and oother factors have little do with it considering before research everyone was told to put baby on their front??? If that cause cot death none of us would be here?

Use your instinctsPhudy, don't be baffled by advice from either professionals or family. You is mum and mum's know best :)

Last few weeks of my last pregnancy was spent trying to get baby out....pineapple, raw peppers, hot curries long walks. May want to try drinking rasberry leaf tea (which should only be drunk from 28 weeks on) as this helps your uterus prepare for the birtha dnf or me helped no end...does taste a bit URGH though

Moon

I tried raspberrty leaf tea and it is disgusting!! However ......... you can buy rasperry leaf tablets from any health shop/herbalist. I swear by them as I took them both times and has very easy, relatively pain free labours. Infact, second stage labour with my son was only 7 minutes!!

yeah I heard about the caplets! Will have to go for them this time rather than that god awful tea.

First time I was in labour for over 12 hours with complications. With my last baby she was a breeze and I was only on gas and air despite the bouncy baby being 10lb 4!

My sister reckoned I should have had a crane on hand to deliver her.

Moon

Originally posted by Moon Maiden
yeah I heard about the caplets! Will have to go for them this time rather than that god awful tea.


Moon

Moon do I take it that you are expecting a little witchie?