September 21st, 2010 | 
Author: I’m pregnant and money is a bit tight right now for us. Not terribly tight, but we figure we’d like to save a little because I’m sure baby comes with a lot of hidden expenses.
I’ve been buying gently (very gently) used baby clothes at Goodwill and other used clothing shops. Most still have the tags on them. personally, I can’t see spending hundreds of dollars on designer baby clothes, but I still want my baby to look great 
We are beginning to scour garage sales, mom-to-mom sales, thrift shops, mooch off friends whose babies have outgrown stuff, etc. Before we buy anything major my question is: what’s safe to buy used and what isn’t? (Disposable diapers obviously aren’t haha) Can you buy a car seat used if it’s in great condition? What about a crib if it’s in great shape? How about swings or saucers, etc? It goes without saying that we will thoroughly wash and disinfect every used (and new) item we buy.
I want to save money but obviously safety comes first. What we can’t buy new we plan to pick up quality items at Wal-Mart or Babies R us and Sears on sale.
Thank you
If we were to buy anything used we would also check for recalls online.
Thanks for pointing that out about car seats, and for the encouragement everybody! We will go with a new car seat.
I know what you mean about saving a fortune. Used stuff is an absolute fraction of new. I pay for a bag of adorable, perfect condition baby clothes in change.
The only thing you MUST buy new is the car seat. You never want to risk using one that’s been involved in an accident, even a minor one.
If buying a crib second-hand, make sure it meets current safety requirements. If it is relatively new then it should be fine, but look it up online just to be safe. (We found a cute new crib at Kmart for $110)
Absolutely everything else can be used secondhand. Ask friends and relatives if they want to give or lend you anything. Baby stuff takes up so much space that most people are happy to hand it over.
Posted in Designer Baby Clothes
The only thing you MUST buy new is the car seat. You never want to risk using one that’s been involved in an accident, even a minor one.
If buying a crib second-hand, make sure it meets current safety requirements. If it is relatively new then it should be fine, but look it up online just to be safe. (We found a cute new crib at Kmart for $110)
Absolutely everything else can be used secondhand. Ask friends and relatives if they want to give or lend you anything. Baby stuff takes up so much space that most people are happy to hand it over.
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Honestly, the ONLY thing I’d say buy new is a car seat! You never know if it’s been through a car accident if you buy it used.
Everything else: toys, cribs, clothes, swings, etc can all be used and it’s not a problem at all!
I know what it’s like to have to pinch pennies!!
Good luck mommy!
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as long as they arent older then 10 years i believe (check online or with public health nurse at hospital) you could use anything used, you want to make sure all the right nuts & bolts are there but youll be good and you will save yourself tons of money.
good luck & congrats
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I agree. Car seat should be new (safety first!) and a crib should be carefully inspected and researched for recalls and to see whether it meets safety standards. Other than that, feel free to save money wherever you can!
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you have to buy a new crib matress old matress increases risk of SIDS everything else can be used as long as it meet safety standards
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i would say it all goes by your prefrence, i would buy a crib used just not a matress (as this can iicrease the risk of sids!) and i wouldnt nesscesarliy buy a used carseat either mainly because of the fact that if someone was looking to sell something like this they wouldnt really tell you weather or not they got into an accident with it, and if they did you wouldnt know if the car seat would be all that effective! but i think everything else is reusable!!!!
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Almost everything we got for our son came from yard sales and Goodwill. His crib, bassinet, car seats, diaper genie, high chair swing, bouncy chair thing, and the majority of his clothes are used.
If there’s one in your area, try Once Upon a Child. It’s kinda like a consignment shop. When children outgrow their clothes and other belongings, parents can take them to that store where the store will buy them and resell them. It’s probably not going to be as good of a deal as you’ll get at a yard sale, but it may be worth checking out. Another place would be craigslist.org. Also try the Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory. Their deals are better than regular retail.
Good luck and congrats on your upcoming bundle of joy!
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Experience.
Almost everything you can buy used. Swings, etc. Check your local craigslist to find most everything you need.
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As for used anything except the carseat as everyone said. Mom to mom sales are great! So you’ll surely find good things for your baby. The same goes for toys.
Another thing I’d buy new is a stroller. You’ll get to use it a lot, and if it’s not new you’ll end up replacing it anyhow!! Or not and it’ll be very dodgy. It’s something you’ll be using till your baby is at least 2 yrs old! So I’ll say you’ll get your money’s worth.Also for clothes, ppl will give you tons of stuff!! When your baby’s born.so dont worry too much!
Best of Luck!
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Mom of Matthew 3.5 and Gabriella 18mos
You can pretty much by everything used except for the following:
1.) Car seat. Even though the outside might look okay, it could of gotten in an accident which compromised the internal structure making it unknowingly unsafe. The best deal for carseats is any Britax or Alpha-Omega ones. They are good from birth until they are no longer using a carseat.
2.) If you are breastfeeding, always buy a new breast pump. Each mother has different chemicals in their breast milk which are made especially for their own baby, and can make another baby very sick.
3.) If you are bottlefeeding, I would personally buy new bottles. Evenflo just came out with a new BPA-free line which usually runs about $3.00 for three 9-oz. bottles. As long as you don’t mind washing them often, you don’t need to break the bank buying oodles of bottles.
Hopefully this helps!!
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I work at Babies R Us.
Im doing the same as you!. All i have bought new is car seat(as mentioned above).I do have a second hand car seat BUT IT WILL NOT BE USED IN THE CAR its just for transporting over to my mothers.Also you need new bottles with teats,new dummies,matress (old cot is fine just need the new matress).
Apart from that iv just washed old things.Just follow your mind it will tell you what the best thing to do is.
Good luck.
P.S ive saved a FORTUNE doing this.
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Agree with all other posters about new carseat. Cribs as long as they are not over 10 years old are fine and its good checking for recalls online
. I would get everything else used. Baby clothes they outgrow so fast that most are gently used anyway. Swings and saucers are very expensive but we picked a saucer up at a yard sale for $4 and it is great! I’m sure friends will have stuff or will know other people that are getting rid of baby stuff that they will give you or sell you for cheap! Good Luck!!
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There are only three things that I can think of that should be new:
1) A car seat
2) The mattress for your bassinet/crib/cot etc
3) Teats/nipples for bottles
Other than that, check out your local freecycle website
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You can buy most of the big items used. Make sure the buckles are attached and that they are not broken in anyway. I would not buy a used care seat because you don’t know if it was in a accident or if it was taken care of correctly. I also would not buy any lotions, baby powder, or shampoos unless it hasn’t been open.
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