New or Used

Hey ladies, a friend of mine is expecting a baby and she wants to try and get as much as she can from garage sales.  I know that you shouldn't reuse nipples because they can become weak but is there anything else you can't use again?  Is a car seat just as safe the second time around, I know that if a car seat is in an accident your insurance company makes you get a new one... so I was kind of nervious about her buying a used car seat.  Thanks ladies!

[AndiJ78]

No on the used carseat, you just never know how honest folks are. No on the crib as well. Play yards are iffy, but I would also say no on that. I don't know that there is much I would get second hand other than clothes, most often they have been barely worn as they grow so fast! I have clothes worn by all three of my boys that could still pass at new minus the tags.

I did by my bassinet used and it held up not only throughout my three boys but my cousin's baby in between.

[K1990]

Why not cribs and play yards?

[ponderousmom]

id say no to the high chair too---i bought a used one and the height was adjustable and my son was sitting in it one day and it slammed down to the lowest setting---id stick with clothes--

[K1990]

How about strollers?

[April2]

Boy, I got all used stuff with my last child because he was a surprise baby and we had gotten rid of everything. I'd say as long as it's not that old and it's in good shape and you know that the brand is good and it's passed safety tests then it's ok. I got a used infant car seat that was barely used. I also got two used strollers that I still use and he's 3. I got a used high chair that was a real nice one and I used that until he refused to sit in it anymore. I got a used pack and play that looked barely used and was still fairly new. Now the cirb I got new! :) Only because my parents paid for that for me. I also got a real pretty bassinet from a consignment shop that he used the first 3 months. I think you can get some very nice things used if you just make sure it's in very good shape and check to make sure there's been no recalls on anything.
As fast as babies grow chances are the used things are barely used and almost new. Some of us just can't afford to buy all brand new things. Still, be careful and check everything out before getting anything used.

[ashleighnb]

Things like strollers, high chairs, carseats, beds etc I would buy new unless you know where it is coming from. Especially carseats. You just don't know whether they were used properly or abuse by the previous owner so I wouldn't buy equiptment from a garage sale. I know that there is a huge problem on the westside of cincinnati with bed bugs and things like that so I am very leary about used things. Even clothes...unless they look decent and look clean I won't buy them and if I do i still make a point to wash them really well before putting them on the baby. Has she thought about a childrens consignment store. Here in Cincinnati we have a store called Once upon a child, and they are very trustworthy. They have decent prices and sometime they still have things in its original package or box like strollers and carseats and things. She might want to check that out.

[Mom2be530]

Like ashleighnb said I have had wonderful luck with consignment stores.  I'm really picky about what my son wears and I have found some really good stuff, most of it was even designer brands with tags.  I think the area we live in has a lot to do with it though, so you may want to consider that.  I don't get all of his clothes from there, but every now and then its a nice thing.  When I had my son I was 19 so I didn't have a lot of money.  I did use a crib from a previous owner, but I got my own new matress.  I would never use someone elses matress.  I never used the crib much because I was a cosleeper, but if you make sure its up to date on the safety codes I guess it would be ok.  New is better, but if she just can't afford it then she'll have to make due.  I had a similar experience with a high chair as one of the other posters, so I would think twice on that one.  Car seat, I'd go new.  Strollers, if you look around you can find some good ones.  She can get used bottles, but if I really had to I'd just go up to the dollar store and buy some news.  They may not be name brand, but they will be new.  Tell her to keep looking and its better to just go a head and start now, then you don't have to have all the money in one lump sum.

[potts20]

I think that if you dont have much money, you can go to a garage sale and buy it as long as you do a really thuro check on the items.  Also, there might be places that she could go to that she can take a class and get fake money and buy things that people have brung in, or a lot of it is brand new.  I dont know if there is a place called Alpha in any other state, but here in Michigan there is.   You go every other week and learn things about raising children, and personal care, and then they give you money (it can only be used there) and you can buy donated stuff, or brand new.  

[RuthiePee]

I would steer clear of second hand car seats (I don't even think it's a good idea to buy them Mail Order as our postmen really throw boxes around!) and would always buy a new mattress due to the SIDS risk, I've also bought my stroller brand new. I buy lots of my children's clothes second hand. I have had lots of bargains. Clothes are so expensive- especially when they are little babies as they hardly wear their clothes and even previously worn are almost new. This time around and knowing we were having a boy (after all my girls) I have had to buy lots and it's been really expensive.

Ruth xx

[K1990]

Thanks ladies, I agree that clothes are good to get second hand because babies dfo go through them very fast, this is my friends first baby and she does want more so I told her that it might not be a bad idea to just buy new.  I also told her to try and buy here and there and that way all the money isnt gone at once, she is only 12 weeks so she has plenty of time.  I don't really like to get anything second hand just because it isn't ever really as safe if it is "equiptment" but I do think that clothes for infants is just fine, there is no point in spending hundreds of dollars on something they may only wear 5 times, if that.  Thanks a lot ladies!  

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I buy a LOT of my stuff used.  A good rule of thumb is to check out the consumer product safety commissions website....read up on recalls.  If you are considering purchasing an older used item, get the model and serial number and check for recalls.  Used cribs can be safe if you know how to check them properly. I wouldn't buy one unless I actually SAW it put together and could make sure it had ALL the pieces parts and the bolts were all the same etc.  Car seats I wouldn't buy used unless you have it inspected by the fire department and check recalls on it...but don't buy one more than 2 -3 years old.  

You're right about the nipples...nipples, pacifiers etc. Should ALL be bought new.  Bottles w/ rings and caps should be safe...you can wash them really good with soap and water and a bottle cap of bleach to a whole dishpan of soap and water. and then boil them for 5 minutes....that will sterilize them.  The same with toys that are plastic and can be chewed on.  My suggestion is to NOT buy anything that can't be washed in some fashion.  As far as used clothes, hot water, detergent and ammonia will kill pretty much anything that MAY be on the clothes and make them clean, fresh and safe.  Another good rule of thumb for buying "equipment".  If the individual you are buying from has kept the  directions and warranty information it's more likely that they have taken care of the item.  In my experience, those who just toss that information don't care enough to properly care for items.

[jenstam]

Consignment stores are good. I bought a bouncy seat, bassinet and lots and lots of clothes there. Car seats should definitely be bought brand new. Strollers you might be okay on. High chairs would be iffy, I would definitely check them out and play with them a bit. Cribs would be iffy too. Garage sales I would only buy clothes from.

[nikkicole827]

what I got used vs new:
Used: Crib (but it was barely used as a second crib by my neice... not a stranger), Baby Bath tub (also my neices), boppy (also my neices), clothes from EVERYONE, books, toys, bouncer, saucer, and she uses my neice's swing and activity mat at Grandma's house
New: Car seat and stroller, playyard(s), Bottles, nipples, swing at our home as well as activity mat for home

Toys like the saucer and bouncer are really lifesavers if you can find good used but trusted ones.   I bought my neice's bouncer for her just over a year and a half ago so I knew it was a good one plus I always supervise my daughter in the bouncer.  

In all, the baby wont know the difference, it's just important to make sure things are safe.

[nikkicole827]

We have a store called Once Upon A Child and they are very picky about what they take as far as used baby stuff.  She should def. check a store like that out if she's not lucky enough to have a recent kid in the family!

[laura1977]

Okay this is too funny we also have "Once Upon A Child" where I live, and I am also from the same state you are.......... I wonder if we live in the same city...... lol.  Does your city start with E?

[jenstam]

We have a Once Upon a Child here, too. I'm in MN...

[K1990]

I think there is a Once Upon A Child within about an hour or so of here, I live in Colorado.  They seem to be popular.  We also have another connsignment store I think.  Thanks for all the help ladies, we appreciate it!

[babywillowmae]

I love Once Upon A Child.  I bought so much there when I was pregnant.  The one by my house also sells maternity clothes, which was great.  I go in there every couple of weeks, just to look around and pick up an outfit or two for dd.