Have you looked at those registry "must-have" checklists that every baby superstore hands you? And then have you checked the prices of said "must-haves"?
$200 for a stroller. $150 for a car seat. $250 for a crib. $18 per cloth diaper.
Luckily many pregnant women have friends and family willing to lend their hand-me-downs, and then there are always consignment shops, yard sales, and online marketplaces for used items.
But what's safe to buy used and what should you only buy new? We break down the DOs and DON'Ts of used baby gear:
Baby Clothes
Baby Clothes
Verdict: Buy used
The racks of Baby Gap are certainly tempting, but baby clothes are some of the best items to buy gently-used or to snag as hand-me-downs. Infants, especially, only wear clothes for one season - sometimes less than a dozen times each - and you can find plenty of name-brand baby clothes in consignment shops, your friend's attic, or on sites like eBay and ThredUp.
Tips: Seasonal clothes, like winter jackets and bathing suits, are especially good to buy second-hand because they tend to be used the least amount of time. However, it's important to remember the seasons when you buy or accept used clothes. If your due date is in December, odds are that 3-month-sized bathing suit will be useless. Also check for holes, stains, and missing buttons when possible. Loose buttons and zippers can pose choking hazards.
Cloth Diapers
Cloth Diapers
Verdict: You can buy used
It might sound icky to buy used diapers, but that's the purpose of cloth: they can be used over and over. And in some cases (as long as the previous owners have properly washed and cared for their diapers) cloth diapers get more absorbent over time. There's quite a community of used cloth diaper swappers on the Internet.
Tips: Search through reputable sources, such as Diaper Swappers, although there can be good local deals through Craigslist and Freecycle. Always ask for pictures and inquire about how the seller cared for their diapers. See more tips from All About Cloth Diapers.
Related: 9 affordable ways to update your kid's bedroom
Baby Shoes
Baby Shoes
Verdict: Buy used (for infants)
Pre-walking infant shoes are more for warmth and style than function, and they grow out of them shockingly fast. Besides that, baby shoes have a tremendously high markup for the amount of time that they're actually worn, and barefoot is still best for baby's foot development.
Walking toddlers and bigger kids are better off in new shoes, however, because shoes mold to kids' feet, which vary from child to child.
Tips: Opt for soft-sole infant shoes, which mimic the benefits of bare feet. Soft-sole shoes won't restrict your baby's natural development and growth, like those stiff ready-to-be-bronzed baby shoes of yore. Patent leather dress shoes or vintage finds can be cute for a special occasion, but not as a daily shoe. While shopping in consignment shops, look for brands like Robeez and Stride Rite.
Cribs
Cribs
Verdict: Buy new
If your sister is willing to give you her baby's old crib that she used last year, odds are it's completely safe. But the real danger is going into a consignment shop or buying off Craigslist when you don't know the crib's age or history.
Tips: New crib safety regulations took effect in mid-2011, so it's best to avoid cribs manufactured before that date. If you do buy used, make sure that the railings are fixed (drop-side cribs were banned at the end of 2010, and many second-hand cribs are drop-side), that the crib slats are less than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, and that a mattress fits snugly (less than two-fingers width) along the crib. Also, and this is important, check for recalls. It's still best to buy new. Look through our Babble Best Cribs feature for budget crib picks under $200.
Mattresses
Mattresses
Verdict: Buy new
My research for the Babble Best Crib Mattresses feature convinced me that buying a new crib mattress is more important than we might think. Considering your baby will spend over half of his life on this mattress for the first four-ish years and the fact that older crib mattresses contain chemicals that are now considered dangerous (like BPA, PVC, and phthalates), it's better to go new. SheKnows.com also reports that leaks and tears can consequently affect the mattress coils. Not to mention the possibilities of dust mites, bacteria and (shudder) bed bugs.
Tips: The 2009 Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act banned certain varieties of phthalates from crib mattresses after evidenced linked them to endocrine system issues and even cancer. If you buy or use a used crib mattress, make sure it was manufactured after February 2009.
Related: 10 "money-saving" tips that actually leave you broke
Nursery Furniture
Nursery Furniture
Verdict: Buy used
Now this is where thrift shops and yard sales are handy - especially if you have some DIY skills. Dressers, changing tables, and even gliders can be completely made over with a little elbow grease.
Tips: Check for peeling paint, missing parts, and any possible recalls (like with a changing table).
See a DIY nursery transformation here
Verdict: Buy new
Car seats are an incredibly expensive purchase, but it's also the one purchase that could save your child's life. According to SeatCheck.org, "old/used child safety seats should not be used unless you are certain they have never been in a crash and you have all the parts (including instructions)." They also warn against using any car seat over 6 years old because of the older plastic - crash or no crash. Clearly, straight-from-the-factory car seats are the safest.
Tips: Read The Car Seat Lady's tips on buying used car seats (although she advises against it).
Strollers
Strollers
Verdict: Buy used
Strollers are certainly pricey, with certain luxury varieties creeping over the $1,000 mark. While you can absolutely find a decent all-in-one stroller in the $200 - $300 range, there are plenty of parents looking to unload their "gently used" strollers at a steep discount.
Tips: Like all used baby gear, check for a model and serial number before purchasing, and then search for any recalls. Also look for broken mechanisms like the brakes, canopy, harness, and wheels. A great resource for used baby strollers, besides Craigslist, is Recrib.com.
Related: How to know if you're overtipping for hair and beauty services
Highchairs
Highchairs
Verdict: Buy used
Although IKEA sells a perfectly lovely high chair for $20 - $25, used highchairs should be fine - as long as they haven't been recalled.
Tips: Besides checking for a recall, make sure that any used highchair has a safety harness and a crotch post so baby can't slide out. Also make sure that the tray mechanism is tightly secured.
Baby Toys
Baby Toys
Verdict: Used is typically fine
Baby toys have a very short shelf life - if baby even cared to play with it at all. Typically, used baby toys, especially hand-me-downs from friends and family, are a helpful way to not waste money.
Tips: Check for missing parts, potential choking hazards, and chipped paint. Avoid any toys that could possibly be made with lead paint (like a vintage toy, for example).
And here are some general tips about buying used baby gear:
- When shopping at yard sales, always check for a company name and model number.
- If the product's company no longer exists, don't buy it.
- Always do a quick Internet search for recalls. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is a fantastic resource.
- If possible, ask the seller about the history of the item - what year was it bought, how much was it used, etc.
- Look for broken pieces, missing parts, cracks, rust, or any other signs of excessive wear.
- If you're buying baby gear, try and get the instruction manual to go with it. If not, check online for a PDF version or contact the company for a copy.
- By Michelle Horton
Follow Michelle at Babble
For 2 more dos and don'ts of buying used baby gear, visit Babble!
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