What Baby Items Should You Buy Used?

When it comes to babies, you don’t want any harm to come their way. So, I wondered how fussy I should be when buying secondhand baby items. So, I looked around at various health guidance and put together this helpful article to explain what baby items you should buy used.

So, what baby items should you buy used? You should buy shoes, clothing, hats, toys, playpens, furniture, strollers, high chairs, and car seats. However, you should be careful to inspect the items for any wear and tear before buying them. Each item has specific things to watch out for.

Clothing, for example, should be inspected for lice. So, below I will explain the ins and out of buying each of these items secondhand, as well, as where you can buy them from. Keep reading for more tips.

What baby items are OK to buy used?

Below is the list and some tips when buying baby used items:

Baby shoes

Babies grow so fast that they soon grow out of their cute shoes. Since babies don’t walk, their shoes don’t take any wear and tear. So, any baby shoes you buy will basically be new, unless there has been a spill, or spew on them. 

These are easy to find second hand, even mothers who have infants may want to sell off baby shoes. 

Baby clothing

Similar to shoes, babies will outgrow clothes so fast, they often only get one wear. Fingers crossed they didn’t spew on it, the day they wore it. Whether it’s a one-piece with a bum flap or miniature overalls, look for comfortable clothing. 

As adults, we can adjust our bodies due to discomfort from zippers, buttons, and fabrics. On the other hand, babies can’t easily get into a more comfortable position if they are lying on a button or zipper. 

Inspect them for any wear and tear. These are easy enough to find that you can pass on defective items.

Hats

Keeping babies head warm in winter is essential. A soft beanie or scarf stays new for a long time because your baby doesn’t move around much. So, you can pick one up from a friend, or at a local thrift store used.

It is the best idea unless you have a particular look you are going for. Then you would need to shop around for the exact item. 

Toys

Many families keep a box of infant, toddler, and even children’s age toys. Although be careful when buying used toys as kids throw them around, and damaged toys can sometimes go unnoticed. So, it would be best if you visually inspect them for chipping before purchasing.

Some toys have been recalled after it was found they were unsafe. There is an online tool made by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). You can use it to search for a toy name. To access it click here. 

Playpens 

According to Parents.com, there was a significant update to the safety requirements for manufacturers of playpens in 2012. So, it would be best if you avoided any playpens made before then. You can usually check when it was made by looking on the label or printed on the plastic.

If you have no information about when it was made, it is best not to buy it. Other than that, make sure there are no tears in the fabric. Ensure it feels sturdy and visually inspect the screws and joins for wear and tear or missing pieces.

If some of the screws are missing or if it feels a bit unstable, it should be avoided. Because a playpen houses a baby, you don’t want to take any chances.

Furniture

Baby tables, chairs, and other furniture can be used. Check to make sure they are solid and don’t have any loose parts. Cracks and loose joins are often not noticed at first glance.

Only after checking them carefully can you see parts that could give out soon, or are already broken. You should also check if the item has been recalled using the tool provided by the CPSC. Do so by clicking here, to go to the tool.

Most children use these very gently and are easy to find used.

Strollers

After 2015, safety standards significantly improved for strollers. Strollers older than 2015 can and should be avoided. Strollers need extra attention to ensure they are safe because of how they get used.

Give it a test run empty for 5 minutes and see that there aren’t any squeaks or wobbly parts. Try to rough it up a bit and give it a solid test run. Then give it a visual inspection, check for missing or loose parts, and check if it has a brake and that it works.

High chairs

High chairs have a seat belt apparatus to stop your baby from climbing and falling. They also have a clip close by the crotch to prevent them from sliding out if they slump forward.

If you can get a used high chair with both of these safety features, you should definitely consider it. The other thing to watch out for is if it is loose or there are missing parts. It would be best not to purchase a high chair that may be a safety hazard. The biggest risk comes from your baby falling from the chair. Before purchasing, make sure the seat belt apparatus works appropriately.

List of Baby items you shouldn’t buy used and why

Car seats

Used car seats should be avoided. When a car seat has been in a crash, it loses all of its safety features. With a used car seat, you often don’t know it’s history.

If you don’t know the history of a car seat, you should not use it. Using a car seat that has been in a crash is the same as not using a car seat at all.

Babies’ bodies are soft and haven’t hardened into the frame of an adult. So, they need the protection of the baby seat to keep them safe.

Cribs

A used crib can be problematic. You don’t know how it has been looked after. Older models also have features that are potentially dangerous for your child. One such feature was a crib with dropdown sides.

Cribs of this variety have since been recalled. A used crib can be damaged if an adult fell on it, or something similarly heavy stressed its frame. When this happens, the frame is weakened and has a high chance of failing and can injure your baby.

For these reasons, you should buy a brand new crib.

Crib Mattresses

Crib mattresses are susceptible to fungus, bed bugs, lice, among others. Although you can wash them thoroughly, often, there would have been an accident or two with babies. The contaminants that can be found in crib mattresses are best avoided by buying a new one.

In rare cases, you might find secondhand crib mattresses that haven’t been used. These are fine to use.

Infant formula

Infant formula is pricey, and for a good reason. The nutrients and convenience are a time saver. But, infant formula must be kept in a cool, dry place.

Often by mistake, it can get left in the sun, for example, in a hot car. It’s the same if it gets too cold. When buying infant formula, you want to look for wholesalers or store brands.

The USFDA strictly controls what can go into infant formula. So, the cheapest store brands by law have to include everything your baby needs. As a result, you can buy them with confidence.

Beware of imported infant formula in case of improperly handling while in transit. Although those from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are generally high quality and can be purchased online.

Breast pumps

Breast pumps are designed in such a way that they can never be sterilized completely. If it was used on a sick mother, then there is a risk of cross-contamination.

So, they shouldn’t be purchased.

Sippy cups

Older plastic sippy cups can contain BPA and phthalate. Both are not considered toxic but have been recalled. You can check the specific brand, but it is easier to purchase these new.

You may find rare branded sippy cups that you recognize in thrift stores or from friends. Check reviews before purchasing to ensure they are safe to use and up to date with FDA guidelines. 

All new sippy cups are made to meet the new requirements put in place by the FDA. 

For the same reasons, you should avoid using used pacifiers and plastic baby bottles.

What are some good ways to save money on baby stuff?

When you have a baby, you become more budget-conscious. So, below are 8 ways to save big on baby stuff.

1. Sharpen up your diaper buying

Your baby will be wearing diapers for a few years. So, you can come up with some good ways to save cash when you buy them. Discounts come and go like the wind, so look around and be patient.

A huge discount where you can stock up is right around the corner. Often, you can halve your diaper buying budget by having good timing on the deals.

Be careful not to get bombarded with marketing too much, though, soon you’ll be buying everything under the sun. Keep an eye out for specific deals, and don’t get sold on items that aren’t a high priority.

2. Try buying only used baby clothes

Baby clothes are the easiest to come across used. They are abundant in secondhand stores, online, and from friends and family. Although it is just as convenient to buy them new.

You can get them for free or for pennies on the dollar on a secondhand store. Particular garments are only worn once, and it doesn’t make sense to buy them new.

Try to challenge yourself only to use used baby clothes. You’ll be surprised how easy it is.

3. Share your routine with baby

When you get up and have a shower, you can wash your baby simultaneously using gentle soap you buy for yourself. Use small amounts of gentle shampoo and soap on your baby.

Often, you will have to switch to baby soaps that don’t have added scents. These are typically more organic for both, and you can get natural scents from deodorants and creams.

Simplify your cleaning routine by using products for you and your baby. Specialist baby soaps cost more than regular soaps because of how gentle they are. But, you can get soaps that are just as gentle because they are made from natural ingredients.

4. Buy online but not too much

Often good deals show up online that have to be bought. But, sometimes they don’t need replacing right away or aren’t an urgent need.

If you are trying to stay on a budget, you should limit what you buy online to the essentials. Such as diapers and formula.

Don’t tempt yourself by spending too much time looking at products, and use a list of items you need to buy rather than clicking around aimlessly.

5. Go for multipurpose gear

Designers have improved strollers, high chairs, and beds to be multipurpose. One can convert into the other. You can buy a stroller that turns into a high chair and vice versa.

You can also get gear that can be adjusted in size to grow with your little one. You should ask your baby store for items that are two in one, or three in one.

6. Sell unused items

When clothes and toys no longer fit your baby, you can sell them for about 50% or more. This is a good incentive to look after. Learn more about selling baby clothes.

Some soft toys can have sentimental value and should be kept. For all other baby items you’d like to sell, you can always list them online. 

The website you are on now is an online marketplace where you can sell your used baby items. What makes our marketplace standout is that there isn’t any selling or hidden fees. We also have a free account you can start on. If you are interested in listing your items with us, then click here

7. See if your employer gives you any benefits

You can qualify for tax benefits when you have a baby. Your employer may offer extra support when you are on maternity leave. So, talk with an accountant or lawyer about what you might be eligible for.

There are many qualified professionals that can assist you over your benefits via online chat for free or for a small fee.

Conclusion

You should buy used baby shoes, clothing, hats, toys, playpens, furniture, strollers, high chairs, and car seats. However, you shouldn’t buy car seats, cribs, crib mattresses, infant formula, breast pumps, or sippy cups because they present a health risk.

There are additional ways to improve your baby budget. To do so you can sharpen your diaper buying, try buying used baby clothes only at first, share your routine with baby, limited buying online, go for multipurpose gear, sell unused items, and see if your employer gives you any benefits.

Check out best baby products to sell online.

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Sources

• Cpsc.gov: Recalls
• Parents.com: Baby Essentials That Are OK to Buy Used
• Wikipedia: Bisphenol-A
• Wikipedia: Phthalate