For a first baby, what are good items to consider buying gently used and why?
Likewise, which items would you highly recommend getting new?
I’d like to try to get some items from craigslist or borrow from friends. Good contenders for used items in my mind would be things that baby would very quickly outgrow, and things that can be thoroughly cleaned, etc…
What do you think? Any tips?
I would get things like sheets new. Bumper pads you could borrow from a friend-I would not get them from Craigslist.
Things like High Chair, Strollers and Johnnie Jumpers and the like it ok to get used. Just clean them throughly before using.
Handed down clothes from friends and family is fine and helpful. I know my sister in law went to second hand stores for special occasion dresses since they would only wear them for one holiday.
Bottles, dishes and spoons I would get new.
Congrats and good luck!!
Have a great day!
August 18th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Everything apart from Carseats and Cots/Moses baskets can be used
Both of these are for safety reasons, If you have a family member that has these items to sell/give you, and you know that they are safe, and the seat has never been in a crash then feel free to have them.
You can never go wrong with second hand clothes, baby swings, highchairs etc.
I prefer to buy toys new, but thats just me.
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August 18th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
They actually say that used clothing can be better for the baby, as they’re soft from use and any traces of chemicals have been well and truly washed out. If the idea of having all second hand clothing for your new borm makes you uneasy, then buy some new.
Used singlets underneath a newer outfit would help keep baby’s soft skin from coarse material. There are all kinds of sanitising washing powders and liquids out there, so you don’t need to stress there.
Good luck
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August 18th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
You should definitely buy clothes gently used. Your baby will be outgrowing them right before your eyes. I know from personal experience…I spent so much money on clothes, and she has never even wore some of it.
Something I would not buy used is a crib. When a crib is new and in the store, it has all these safety tests done on it to prove that it is safe for a baby. But while a crib was probably safe when a person bought it, you never know what could have happened in the time that they had it.
Toys can be new or used. Used toys just need bleached and cleaned.
Hope I helped!
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August 18th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
The only thing that wasn’t used for my son was his car seat. (Everything else from toys, clothes, play seats, crib and strollers was used).
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August 18th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
I would definitely buy a new car seat because car seats expire! Even if it is from a friend/family and you know it hasn’t been in an accident, you should check for the expiration date (found on the car seat itself). They’re usually only good for about 6 years after the date of manufacture. Go ahead and use it if it’s still good, but if you plan on having more kids, it might be better to get a new one.
Cribs, swings, high chairs, bathtubs, bibs, blankets and clothing are all great items to look for used. Just check to make sure everything is working properly and is a fairly new product. If you buy something too old, safety restrictions on it may have changed.
I would buy new bottles, crib mattress, teethers and toys (basically anything that will be put in their mouth) just for sanitary reasons.
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August 19th, 2010 at 12:21 am
The only things I avoid buying used are car seats and crib mattresses. And unless you can research it, cribs too. Otherwise I’m not against buying used for things like clothing, toys, swings, etc. Clothing is the biggest thing. Most of this baby’s clothing came from Craigslist, Once Upon a Child, or garage sales. It washes right up, obviously, and is as good as new in my opinion.
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August 19th, 2010 at 12:57 am
I don’t know of much that NEEDS to be new besides bottles or pacis if your using them……..
One new thing you might buy isa mattress (recommended to fight against SIDS).
If this is your first of more children to come, invest in a good crib that can withstand a few babies.
EDIT I agree buy a new carseat unless you get on from someone you know who can tell you how old it is and that it for sure as never been in a crash.
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August 19th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Things that are better to buy new are the crib, crib mattress and car seats. Pretty much anything else is fine to get used. Things like the swing, bouncy chair, bumbo seat and excersaucer/jumperoo I would really recommend getting used since some babies don’t care for them and they outgrow them fast. Definitely look for clothing used, babies go through each size so fast its not worth spending hundreds on cute outfits when you can usually find gently used and sometimes even new items on craigslist/kijiji/consignment stores.
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August 19th, 2010 at 2:13 am
You must buy a car seat new, so that you know it’s never been in an accident. It’s a good idea to buy a crib new as well, so you know it will be assembled correctly and it meets the safety requirements.
I’d also buy new pacifiers and nipples for bottles if you’re going to be using those things.
Good things to buy used would be clothes for sure, a baby carrier, any furniture like dresser or changing table.
We received a ton of used clothes from lots of different people, and I loved it. It gave us clothes we wouldn’t normally have bought. You can also buy gently used clothes at goodwill and other thrift shops.
Good luck mama!
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Mom to three under 3
August 19th, 2010 at 2:43 am
I would get things like sheets new. Bumper pads you could borrow from a friend-I would not get them from Craigslist.
Things like High Chair, Strollers and Johnnie Jumpers and the like it ok to get used. Just clean them throughly before using.
Handed down clothes from friends and family is fine and helpful. I know my sister in law went to second hand stores for special occasion dresses since they would only wear them for one holiday.
Bottles, dishes and spoons I would get new.
Congrats and good luck!!
Have a great day!
References :
August 19th, 2010 at 2:52 am
I agree with the previous poster - only the car seat and mattress are the items we would not consider secondhand
References :
http://www.newbabylist.com/newbornchecklist/