Question from a FTM

MR.&Mrs

What is okay to buy used and what isn't? I know you should never buy used carseats and pumps. I'm a FTM and believe that newborn does not need everything that is in BRU. And, I know that most people only use baby items for a short amount of time so I don't mind buy nice used items. I just wanted to know what would be okay to buy from second hand boutique (we have tons in my area). 

AliciaS1411

A Lot of gear is generally safe. Just check the dates on them. Bouncers, swings, strollers. though I'd research and splurg on a GOOD stroller that fits your lifestyle. clothes are good to get second hand. Baby clothes are way overpriced. You can find used boppys, but I'd get me own. Cloth diapers are great to buy used! There's a Facebook swap and you can get some great deals on there.

CarlaAndJames

Anything except carseat, crib, pump, mattress, and nipples/pacis (though I can't imagine you can find those used!)

MR.&Mrs

Thank you. I plan on registering for a travel system and we are going to use my baby crib.  

jess9802

MR.&Mrs:

Thank you. I plan on registering for a travel system and we are going to use my baby crib.  

As in the crib you slept in as a baby? If so, not a good idea - it would not meet current safety standards.

bkrienert

I know for sure that My Husband and I bought a used pack in play for $20.00 bucks instead of 200.00...Our Son has never slept in it at all!! He is now 8 months, I delivered early and we moved 5 days before he came in which his room was incomplete.  He absolutely hated it!! So my advice would not to invest in an expensive pack in play..Our pack in play sits under our basement stairs, we don't even take it when we travel!!!  Looking back on it now I wish I would have never bought one and use the 20 bucks else where.

MR.&Mrs

jess9802:

MR.&Mrs:

Thank you. I plan on registering for a travel system and we are going to use my baby crib.  

As in the crib you slept in as a baby? If so, not a good idea - it would not meet current safety standards.

I researched it online and found that if you secure the rail it is fine. Plus the baby will stay in our room for at least the first 9 months.

 

jess9802

It's not just a drop side rail that is a potential safety hazard. Other issues are width of the slats, corner post height, and design cut-outs in the head board or foot board. Just make sure you've checked out those standards as well.

ellewoodsSC

MR.&Mrs:

jess9802:

MR.&Mrs:

Thank you. I plan on registering for a travel system and we are going to use my baby crib.  

As in the crib you slept in as a baby? If so, not a good idea - it would not meet current safety standards.  

I researched it online and found that if you secure the rail it is fine. Plus the baby will stay in our room for at least the first 9 months.

 

You can buy an inexpensive, safe and modern crib for ~$100.  As pp pointed out, safety standards have changed over the years and I would wonder if the hardware and construction is still solid on a crib several decades old.  Even with the fact that you will be co-sharing a space, it does not mean you will be able to supervise your baby 24/7.   

I find that consignment shops in my area don't offer the best prices compared to craigslist or store clearance sales.  I often get better clothing deals from places like Gap, Old Navy and Marshalls than buying used outfits from the second hand places.    

I also had snagged some good deals through Amazon's warehouse deals on returned/opened merchandise or items where the outside packaging was damaged. 

MR.&Mrs

jess9802:

It's not just a drop side rail that is a potential safety hazard. Other issues are width of the slats, corner post height, and design cutouts in the head board or foot board. Just make sure you've checked out those standards as well.

My mother just used with my nephew. He is 4 and just moved into his big boy bed a year ago. My dad and mom will definitely check it out before they let me use it.

AliciaS1411

MR.&Mrs:

jess9802:

It's not just a drop side rail that is a potential safety hazard. Other issues are width of the slats, corner post height, and design cutouts in the head board or foot board. Just make sure you've checked out those standards as well.

My mother just used with my nephew. He is 4 and just moved into his big boy bed a year ago. My dad and mom will definitely check it out before they let me use it.

You're being extremely hard headed about the crib. A crib that is more that ten years old is definitely not safe. Just because one baby survived it it doesn't mean yours will. There are still dangers and risk. If you cannot afford to buy your own crib for your baby you need to reevaluate your bidet and figure out just how exactly you're going to afford everything else for your baby. Yes, you can buy quite a bit second hand, and you can register for other things but registering is NOT a guarantee that you will recieve them. There's also the monthly expense OS diapers and formula if you don't breast feed. At least look into getting a pack and play if you can't get a SAFE crib. Our PNP was 90 and it's great. Our crib was 115 on amazon and it's a great crib as well!

Of you'd like to look at it, our crib is a brand called "stork craft". It's a French company, and the European safety standards are much stricter than the US's. Ikea also sells cribs that are manufactured to the European standards and run right at 100. I'm not saying you much have a European crib, there are American made ones that are safe. Heck anything would be safer than the crib you plan to use.

jess9802

AliciaS1411:

MR.&Mrs:

jess9802:

It's not just a drop side rail that is a potential safety hazard. Other issues are width of the slats, corner post height, and design cutouts in the head board or foot board. Just make sure you've checked out those standards as well.

My mother just used with my nephew. He is 4 and just moved into his big boy bed a year ago. My dad and mom will definitely check it out before they let me use it.

You're being extremely hard headed about the crib. A crib that is more that ten years old is definitely not safe. Just because one baby survived it it doesn't mean yours will. There are still dangers and risk. If you cannot afford to buy your own crib for your baby you need to reevaluate your bidet and figure out just how exactly you're going to afford everything else for your baby. Yes, you can buy quite a bit second hand, and you can register for other things but registering is NOT a guarantee that you will recieve them. There's also the monthly expense OS diapers and formula if you don't breast feed. At least look into getting a pack and play if you can't get a SAFE crib. Our PNP was 90 and it's great. Our crib was 115 on amazon and it's a great crib as well! Of you'd like to look at it, our crib is a brand called "stork craft". It's a French company, and the European safety standards are much stricter than the US's. Ikea also sells cribs that are manufactured to the European standards and run right at 100. I'm not saying you much have a European crib, there are American made ones that are safe. Heck anything would be safer than the crib you plan to use.

I agree. You are being unnecessarily difficult about a crib. Safe, modern cribs and mattresses can be purchased new for a relatively modest sum of money. A new crib and mattress need not break the bank. If you are planning on a second child the crib becomes that much more affordable. I understand budgetary concerns, but using a 20+ year old crib probably isn't the answer to saving money.

MR.&Mrs

We are getting a pack n play or a rock n play. Not sure which would be better. And I'm not being difficult about it and its not about money.