Looking to Save on Baby Gear? 9 Things You Can Buy Used and 7 Things You Really Shouldn't

My youngest child is fast approaching the end of her infancy, and I've begun looking for new homes for the baby gear she's outgrown. In the process, I've had a lot of questions about which baby items are safe to sell or give away and which I should dispose of in another way.

Many soon-to-be parents face similar questions when trying to get the baby gear they need at an affordable price. So I did some digging on behalf of all of us. Here are nine pieces of baby gear it's OK to buy used and seven you definitely want to buy new.

Nine baby items you can buy used

Here are nine things you can buy used for your baby to save a little extra cash:

1. Clothes

Your baby will go through a lot of clothes quickly, so it's understandable that you wouldn't want to drain your bank account by buying everything new. Fortunately, it's totally fine to buy used baby clothes. Just make sure you wash them before putting them on your baby.

2. Baby wraps and carriers

Wraps and carriers make it possible to carry your baby while freeing your hands to do other household tasks. These are usually safe to buy used as long as there are no obvious signs of wear that could cause the baby to fall out. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding the child's weight and height before placing them in the carrier.

3. Cloth diapers

Cloth diapers are safe to buy used if you're comfortable doing so. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before putting them on your child.

4. Toys

Wooden and plastic baby toys are OK to buy secondhand as long as they haven't been recalled due to safety issues. You may want to do some research online to confirm this before buying the toy.

5. Swings, bouncy seats, and activity centers

Similar to toys, these items are safe to get secondhand as long as they haven't been recalled. If the item has safety straps, inspect these carefully to make sure they aren't broken or fraying.

6. Bath seats

Infants use bath seats for such a short time that it's often not worth it to buy these new. It's safe to buy them used as long as there aren't any signs of damage or mold.

7. Changing table

Your baby isn't going to be spending time on the changing table when you're not around, so safety isn't as much of an issue here as it is with some other baby products. As long as the changing table appears stable and has working safety straps, it's fine to buy it secondhand.

8. Diaper pail

Diaper pails are great for masking the scent of all those dirty diapers. And there's really no reason you can't pick one up used if you want to.

9. Play yard

Play yards are typically safe to buy used as long as they have no obvious damage and they haven't been recalled. Look up the play yard model online before buying to see if it has any reported safety issues.

Seven things you probably don't want to buy secondhand

If you're looking to splurge on new baby items, these seven things are a great place to start.

1. Car seats

Many don't realize this, but car seats have an expiration date on them. Most are only good for six to 10 years. Beyond this point, they may not be capable of keeping your baby safe in a crash. That, and the fact that you usually can't be sure of a used car seat's accident history, means it's usually best to buy your infant's car seat new.

2. Cribs

Crib safety regulations have changed a lot over the past few decades. Generally, it's best to buy newer cribs that you know are up to the latest safety standards. If you decide to buy used, only purchase models manufactured in 2011 or later and avoid cribs with drop sides at all costs.

3. Crib mattresses

A lot of parents aren't comfortable buying a used mattress that another child has been puking and peeing on for their new baby. But there's another reason to buy new mattresses. Some research suggests that used crib mattresses may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), though the relationship isn't well understood right now.

4. Breast pumps

Breast milk can carry bacteria and viruses that can get stuck in the pumps. Just changing the tubes is often insufficient, as bacteria can get stuck inside the pump's internal components as well. Plus, as the pump's motor wears out, it can become more inefficient. You may even receive a free pump from your health insurance plan.

5. Strollers

Not all used strollers are bad, but you want one that was manufactured after Sept. 10, 2015. That's when a new federal safety standard went into effect. If you decide to buy a used stroller anyway, try to find out when it was made and inspect it carefully for damages.

6. High chairs

Similar to strollers, a new high chair safety regulation went into effect in 2019. If you're not able to buy a new high chair, at least make sure the used model you choose was manufactured in or after 2019.

7. Bottles and pacifiers

This one might be pretty obvious, but these are things your baby is putting in their mouth. Though you might try to clean them, chances are, you probably won't be able to remove all lingering bacteria. It's best to buy these things new.

Ultimately, you have to go with what's best for your family and your budget. Just make sure you keep your child's safety in mind and carefully look over any used items for signs of problems before you buy.