I Have a Stupid Question.

Updated on July 10, 2010
A.M. asks from Vancouver, WA
25 answers

I have a stupid question. Can I use plastic bags as mattress cover for my 6 year old daughter? they sometimes still wets her bed.Do you have a bag bed for your children?

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A.W.

answers from Seattle on

I would buy a waterproof matress pad at Target. They aren't too pricey and are washable. They have two kinds - one like a fitted sheet and one like a pad. The pad moves around a bit, so I prefer the fitted one.
Plastic bags, although a great idea, can be dangerous to kids. If it accidentally slipped out, which it would move around, it could be a hazard, even for a 6 year old.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Albany on

I wouldn't use a plastic bag...I would think that could be dangerous. I get vinyl bed bags from Target that you put the mattress in and zip up the top.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

I would not use them, it could be a suffocation hazard. You can get a cheap waterproof mattress cover at any store, like Walmart or Target.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

There are a few reasons why it's not a good idea.
The first is the suffocation factor. Unlikely, but if it is preventable, I'd always go with the voice of reason.

The second is that using a plastic bag as a barrier will trap moisture and bacteria in the mattress. Using one that's fabric based and is designed to wick moisture will help keep moisture from getting on the mattress and causing issues with mold, mildew, bacteria growing. They thrive on dark, damp environments.

Unless you are able to get a plastic tarp that's large enough to cover the entire mattress, the liquid will simply spill over the sides of the plastic bag and onto other areas of the mattress (especially when you're trying to remove it).

I'd see what you can find inexpensively at Walmart, Target, etc. I think the one we got for our son's bed was $9.99 at Target. We also use a liner underneath designed for trapping accidents. We got it at Babies R. Us for less than $10

4 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

I don't think it's a stupid question! It sounds like a good idea, but I might worry about the bag getting worked off and suffocation issues. I suppose at 6 she's old enough to know better than to play with a plastic bag, but it would make me nervous.

I have these great, really absorbant and washable pads I got at Babies R US that we put under the mattress pad (or on top -they stay in place better under it). They catch all of the urine when my oldest has an accident.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

I bought a waterproof mattress cover for this purpose for my son at Wal-Mart for about 12 bucks. It is great b/c you can wash and reuse it.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Have you ever seen the fabric-like waterproof pads? They would probably be softer and more comfortable under her sheet. You can find at Wal Mart/Target, etc in various sizes.
Personally, even though she's 6, I wouldn't use plastic bags in her bed. Pieces of plastic like that are a choking hazard because if she (God forbid) swallows a piece, the plastic cannot be Heimlich'd out of her throat.

1 mom found this helpful

C.S.

answers from Medford on

No mommy question is ever stupid! :)
That said, I have heard of people using garbage bags as mattress covers, but they are not recommended. They slip around, get bunched up, end up at the foot of the bed....
The better option is a plastic bed sheet (you can get them at walmart for a few dollars). then cover it with a mattress cover (cotton kind) so it isnt noisy like plastic can be. When accidents happen you can either spray and clean the plastic sheet or throw it in the wash. I have had mine for a couple years and its still in good shape.

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A.K.

answers from Seattle on

We bought a mattress cover/protector thing from Sleep Country when we got our sons bed. It's washable and waterproof and much less noisy than plastic bags would be-it feels like regular soft material. You could probably find something similar online.

Good luck!

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

I use to open a large garbage bag to lay across my sons bed. the sheet protects them from them from the plastic getting up around their face. J.

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

they actually have plastic coverings that zip up, generally speaking they are used for BED BUGS.. however, it would also work as a protection from the urine. You can order them just about anywhere..
best of luck

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V.R.

answers from Portland on

something that I have used, is just a vinyl table "cloth". Put it vinyl side up of course. Mine didn't slip around and you can just spray and wipe off if there is an accident.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

We got a waterproof mattress cover. It's plastic, but has some padding on top of it. Plastic by itself, even with a sheet over it, makes a crinkley sound and can be uncomfortable to lay on. Add a kid who jumps on the bed, and the plastic breaks, rips and tears.

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K.V.

answers from Boston on

I don't see why not. Probably a good idea to fix the bags to the mattress with double-sided tape to stop them slipping around during the night.
Katie

H.K.

answers from Gainesville on

I once used a disposable puppy potty pad! I put it under the sheet and it worked great. Them giant lawn leaf bags split and opened up gives you enough to tuck under the sides of the bed. I spent 30 dollars on a cheap mattress pad for my bed and after washing it a few times it ripped. I am not wasting money again on something that is that cheaply made for that price. I say whatever works and is done safely...go with it

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N.O.

answers from Phoenix on

There is no reason you could not but I do not know how you would find one big enough to cover the whole mattress? You could try the mattress bags they make for moving (you can buy them through U-Haul and I am sure other places) but the comfort level would not be optimum for your daughter as it would slip and slide and make crinkly noises and pose as a moisture trap which could create mildew and mold. They do make actual water prove mattress covers (like those for cribs) that might be safer and healthier.

M.C.

answers from Anchorage on

we just use the mattress covers that are in the pillow section at walmart...

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A.G.

answers from Seattle on

I don't know if you can use a plastic bag, but you can buy a vinyl mattress cover for 7 or 8 bucks at Fred Meyer. 2 of my kids wet the bed and they have protected the mattresses just fine.

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J.C.

answers from Seattle on

i would say absolutely not...they make mattress protector covers that go on like a fitted sheet - you can get one that has a plastic side to it that would protect the mattress - of course, if she has an accident, you would wash this just as you would the sheets.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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E.L.

answers from Seattle on

My 5yo also very rarely wets the bed. Before I had the mattress pad I used a rubber-interior fabric that I picked up at the craft store. It did fine, but slid around. You'll have the same problem with bags.

Plastic bags under the sheet will do in a pinch, but Fred Meyer frequently has their water-proof twin mattress pads on sale for $15. They work very well and are machine wash & dry. I've washed mine a few times and they have held up just fine.

Good luck!

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D.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Oh God No! Do not put plastic bags anywhere near a small kid. Buy a waterproof mattress pad at Target! It will not cost that much.

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B.M.

answers from Eugene on

They have mattress covers at Bi-Mart that I have really liked over the other ones that I have found. These ones are like sheets, so they fit better and do not rip as easily as the ones that zip on! Good luck!

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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

I actually used disposable mattress pads that you use for elderly people with incontinence issues. They absorb a lot.

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