From strollers and cribs to clothes and diapers, the amount of stuff your little one requires can add up quickly. In an effort to cut costs, many parents-to-be scour the internet for used baby gear and welcome hand-me-downs. And we do mean many. According to a survey conducted by Everyday Health Group, What To Expect's parent company, 66 percent of new or expecting moms report having bought secondhand baby gear. This money-saving technique is especially common among Gen Z: 76 percent of Gen Z respondents say they’ve purchased secondhand baby gear, compared to only 63 percent of Millennial and 55 percent of Gen X respondents.
Although it's totally fine to buy secondhand for some products, not every product can be safely bought secondhand. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against used car seats because they could be missing parts or have passed their expiration date. Despite this guidance, 19 percent of moms surveyed have purchased a used car seat.
So when can you save on a secondhand item? Here's which items you can buy used and which you should get new.
Baby gear you can consider reusing or buying secondhand
Bathtub
Baby bathtubs are fine to buy used as long as you check to be sure there’s no mold or mildew. Babies grow out of these faster than you can say rubber ducky, so you should be able to save money on one that was barely used. Just be sure to avoid bath rings or inflatable tubs that fit in the bathtub, as they can be dangerous.
Changing table
You can definitely save money by purchasing a gently used changing table. Just make sure the one you get has a safety strap, and watch out for chipping paint and missing parts. If you’re short on space, you can also buy a changing pad that will turn any corner into a temporary changing station.
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Cloth diapers
A little-known reason cloth diapers can be more budget-friendly is that they have a good resale value when you're through with them. So if you happen to go the reusable route, buying old inserts and diaper covers is not only affordable, it can be perfectly hygienic too. A few washes, or one if your washing machine has a “sanitize” cycle, gets rid of any buildup.
Clothes
Buying new baby clothes can be as fun as shopping the racks for yourself! But before you scoop up every adorable item you see, a tip: Your little one is set to gain 1 pound and lengthen by 1 inch each month, on average. So it's definitely a smart idea to save money by reusing a sibling’s or a friend’s hand-me-downs or shopping resale (especially smart with dressy or holiday clothes and shoes that are usually only worn a couple of times).
Just be sure your finds don’t have drawstrings, loose buttons or ties, which could be choking or entanglement hazards, and check labels to make sure sleepwear is flame-resistant.
High chair
Voluntary safety standards require a high chair to have a three-point harness with crotch restraint to prevent a child from climbing out, as well as a fixed crotch post so he can't slide out. If these two features are accounted for, a hand-me-down high chair is fine. Avoid high chairs with arms that lift the tray over the baby's head.
Toys
As you may have learned already, it’s impossible to predict what your baby will enjoy. So go easy on your wallet and take a test drive with secondhand playthings and board books before you buy all new baby toys. Just be on the lookout for loose hardware or chipping paint, and leave behind anything with small parts that could be choking hazards. Simple toys with few or no moving parts, like blocks, rattles and stacking cups, are consistently safe bets.
Baby gear to buy new
Baby carrier
Strap-on carriers and slings are notorious for recalls, so buy new to ensure that you’re carrying your baby safely — and even then, check that straps, snaps and other closures work as intended. Check out our roundup of the best baby carriers.
Breast pump
Secondhand breast pumps are everywhere. And yes, new pumps are pricey. But a used consumer-grade pump (if it isn’t your own, of course) has the potential for cross-contamination. Risking exposing your newborn to bacteria or viruses just isn't worth it. Plus, since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), many mothers are eligible for a free breast pump through their insurance. If you’re looking to buy a new breast pump, here are some of the best breast pumps for breastfeeding moms.
Car seat
While a car seat can be pricey, this is money well spent. Safety standards for car seats change frequently, and materials — even of the most expensive models — degrade over time. What's more, many parents don't realize that car seats also have expiration dates. Also, a seat's past history can prevent it from fully protecting your child in an accident. So play it safe and buy new. If you must accept a used car seat, ask these questions:
- How old is it? You’ll find a car seat’s expiration period in the owner’s manual and on the seat’s label; most are made to last six years. If you can’t find it or if it’s expired, move along.
- Do you trust the seller? Often car seats can be reused after a minor fender bender. But any collision that involved injuries, deployed air bags or towing of the vehicle is a huge red flag, so confirm that it has not been in a crash before accepting it.
- Has it been recalled? Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or the manufacturer’s website to find out.
Take a look at our lists for the best convertible car seats.
Crib
Federal regulations changed in 2011, prohibiting manufacturers from producing drop-side cribs, which can be dangerous for babies and even deadly. You may see them at yard sales, but pass them by. If you can't afford a new crib, a new portable crib — which is less expensive, but just as safe, as a full-size one — is preferable. Everyone will get a better night’s sleep. Here are some of the best cribs for baby’s nursery.
Mattress
For sanitary reasons, it’s best to avoid reusing crib mattresses too — it’s guaranteed another baby has peed, pooped and spit up in them, and they can be contaminated with bacteria and mold. Older mattresses sometimes contain chemicals that are best avoided (phthalates, BPA). Plus mattresses get softer with use, and it’s best to always use a firm mattress to help prevent SIDS. Check out the best crib mattress options for your little one.
Playard
Newer playard models more likely adhere to safety standards that went into effect on February 28, 2013, which rectify issues with earlier models (like a top-rail hinge that can collapse, putting children at risk of being trapped or strangled). Here are the best playards and pack ‘n plays we recommend.
Stroller
Strollers have evolved a lot through the years, making some considerably safer and more turnkey, according to Consumer Reports’ stroller tests. In fact, new standards went into effect for stroller manufacturers as of September 10, 2015. Considering this is usually the workhorse in your stable of baby gear, ante up for one of the latest models. These are the best strollers, according to parents.
Safety tips when buying used baby products
Before you buy any used baby gear, be sure to ask these questions:
- What's the model number? Checking for recalls is job one. For the latest recall information, visit Recalls.gov.
- Is it in good condition? Make sure the item is not damaged or missing any parts.
- Does it come with the instruction manual? You need it, to see when the item was made and to ensure proper usage. You can also frequently find instruction manuals online if you know the model number and when it was made.
Where to find used baby gear
As you set out on your quest to score gentle used baby gear, you might be wondering where to start. Here are some of the top-recommended places to find used baby gear, according to community moms.
- Reach out to family and friends: You might be surprised by how many of your own family and friends are looking to get rid of baby gear that they no longer need. Before checking online or local marketplaces, text some of your family and friends who you think might have baby gear they no longer use.
- Facebook Marketplace: Available via the Facebook app or on the website, Facebook Marketplace allows you to browse all products being sold near you or via category. You can also filter out the location so that it’s within a certain amount of miles from you. Facebook doesn’t take a percentage of the amount that an item is sold for, which helps both buyers and sellers. Just use caution when making such transactions. For example, don’t disclose any personal information, including bank account or credit card numbers. If you’re meeting for a pick-up away from your home, perhaps suggest meeting in a public place that offers surveillance, like a grocery store or mall parking lot.
- Facebook Groups: Chances are, you’re a member of a Facebook group; maybe even one that is parent- or mom-themed, or simply one that is representative of the town in which you live. Consider posting in these groups to see if anyone may have a gently used baby-gear item that you’re looking for.
- Rebelstork: It’s hard to know just from looking at their website that Rebelstork is not an actual retailer, but rather a company that helps facilitate the re-selling and re-buying of all sorts of baby gear. Rebelstork has created an impressive technology and algorithm that allows an easy buy-and-sell process between trusted customers.
- thredUP: If you’re looking to update your baby’s wardrobe without breaking the bank, try thredUP, an online consignment and thrift store that facilitates the buying and selling of second-hand clothes that show no signs of wear and tear. Everything is organized by category, which streamlines the shopping experience; and you can even for things like size, brand, color and material.
- Toycycle: You can expect your baby to go through toys just as fast as she goes through clothes, especially in that first year, which is why it can be helpful to shop second-hand. Toycycle offers just that—it’s an online marketplace that recycles gently used toys (as well as clothing and other types of baby gear) and organizes them by category and brand to streamline the shopping experience.
- Mercari: This app makes it easy to find second-hand (or sometimes new!) products across all categories. It has a ton of baby gear, including clothes, swings and even toys, and makes it easy to buy and sell thanks to an excellent algorithm and search function. The only downside is that Mercari takes a 10 percent cut of the cost of the item, plus a payment processing fee of 2.9 percent plus 30 cents for each sale.
- Amazon Warehouse: Through Amazon Warehouse you can find a range of used, pre-owned, or opened (but unused) baby items — toys, high chairs and even diapers — at a discounted price. Amazon checks the product’s functionality, physical condition, and packaging damage before awarding it a “grade” and listing it for sale, so you know the type of quality you’re getting. Keep in mind not every item on Amazon is available on Amazon Warehouse, since it’s based on returns and exchanges.
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