Buying secondhand baby gear is a popular way for new and expecting parents to save money on pricey essentials. Some items (bathtubs, changing tables, clothes, toys) are safe to buy used with basic safety checks. Others — car seats, cribs, mattresses, breast pumps, carriers, playards, and strollers — carry safety risks and are better purchased new.
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.
"Don't sleep on secondhand or thrift stores," says What to Expect Community member mgstabler. "I went thrifting with friends for baby stuff, and we found so much stuff I had on my list. The high notes for what we found are a high chair, bouncer, and Bumbo seat with tray."
Although it's totally fine to buy some used products, not every product is safe to buy secondhand. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against used car seats because they could be expired or missing parts.[1]
So when can you safely save on a pre-loved item — and where are good places to shop secondhand? Here's which items you can buy used and which you should get new.
Which types of baby gear can you reuse or buy secondhand?
While some baby products expire or can become unsafe if passed down from child to child, others are usually safe to buy secondhand after running a few quick safety checks.
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 avoid bath rings or inflatable tubs that fit in the bath, as they can be dangerous.
Changing table
You can definitely save money by purchasing a used changing table. Choose one with 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'll turn any surface into a temporary changing station.
Wondering what else your growing baby is going to need? From daily tips to symptom tracking, download the What to Expect app for personalized, expert-backed guidance tailored to your exact due date.
Cloth diapers
A little-known reason cloth diapers can be 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. Use the "sanitize" cycle if your washer has one; otherwise a few washes will get 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 will gain 1 pound and lengthen by 1 inch each month on average. It's definitely smart to ask for hand-me-downs or shop resale sites (especially with dressy or holiday clothes and shoes).
Check your finds for drawstrings, loose buttons, or ties, which could be choking or entanglement hazards, and ensure sleepwear is flame-resistant.
High chair
Voluntary safety standards require a high chair to have a three-point harness with a crotch restraint to prevent a child from climbing out, as well as a fixed crotch post so he can't slide out.[2] 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
It's impossible to predict what your baby will enjoy, so go easy on your wallet and test out secondhand playthings and board books before you buy all new toys. Look out 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.
"You never know what baby will like, so it makes sense not to pay full price, says What to Expect Community parent lousie11112334. "You can also find things only used a couple times that are in great condition if the seller's baby didn’t like it."
Which types of baby gear should you buy new?
To be safe, buy the below items new — unlike the baby products above, these tend to have rapidly changing safety standards, may be frequently recalled, or shouldn't be reused for contamination reasons.
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. The risk just isn't worth it.
Plus, since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), you're likely eligible for a free breast pump through 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 date 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? You can often reuse a car seat 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 become 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 in 2013, which reduced the risk of entrapment and strangulation. 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.[3] 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.
What safety tips should you keep in mind when buying used baby products?
Before you buy any used baby gear, 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 can you find used baby gear?
As you set out on your quest to score secondhand baby gear, you might be wondering where to start. Here are some of the top-recommended places, according to Community moms.
- 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 that they no longer use. "I also borrowed things from friends who were between kids," says What to Expect Community parent Alainab123. "It’s nice to be able to try different products without paying too much."
- 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.
- thredUP: If you're looking to update your baby’s wardrobe without breaking the bank, try thredUP, an online consignment 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; you can even sort by size, brand, color, and material.
- 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 and 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 cut of each sale.
- Amazon Warehouse: Through Amazon Warehouse you can find a range of used, pre-owned, or opened (but unused) baby items — think toys and high chairs — 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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