Is the car seat and mattress the only things you shouldn't buy second hand?

Jennick602 · November 2013

Money is a bit tight so we have been looking in to second hand goods like cot, travel system, high chair and stuff. But should I avoid anything other than the car seat and mattress? Or is second hand stuff ok if from pet/ smoke free home?

nikki912 · November 2013

I've heard pumps are not a good thing to do second hand but I'm assuming you could always buy your own tubes and shields. Something to look into!

RedBird11 · November 2013

I have been curious about this as well, as a FTM.

We are getting a FREE crib from family friends. I haven't seen it but it is supposedly nice. Obviously once we get it we are going to do a thorough check on it. I know there are guidelines to go by with cribs, like spacing between the slats. If there is anything we are unsure about, we won't use it. And of course we will buy a new mattress.

amhah09 · November 2013

I wouldn't buy a pump second hand unless it was from someone I knew but that's just personal preference. You could replace all the parts. Technically the tubing doesn't even need to be replaced because it doesn't come into contact with milk but you can replace it or sterilize it.

I think that's about it though...no car seat, I've never heard of mattress but I wouldn't, and maybe the pump. That's a pretty big ticket item though so if you don't have another option (gift cards, gifted, borrowed from a friend, insurance covering it) then you could.

amhah09 · November 2013

Bottles and pacifiers and stuff, of course.

ashcole28 · November 2013

RedBird11 said:
I have been curious about this as well, as a FTM.

We are getting a FREE crib from family friends. I haven't seen it but it is supposedly nice. Obviously once we get it we are going to do a thorough check on it. I know there are guidelines to go by with cribs, like spacing between the slats. If there is anything we are unsure about, we won't use it. And of course we will buy a new mattress.

I got a hand me down crib from my sister in laws sister. I inspected it and still used the mattress.

sarahbeth27 · November 2013

RedBird11 said:

I have been curious about this as well, as a FTM.

We are getting a FREE crib from family friends. I haven't seen it but it is supposedly nice. Obviously once we get it we are going to do a thorough check on it. I know there are guidelines to go by with cribs, like spacing between the slats. If there is anything we are unsure about, we won't use it. And of course we will buy a new mattress.

Just make sure it isn't a drop side as those are illegal now.

MamaFantastic · November 2013

True, anything that's going in the mouth needs to be bought new.

melzh411 · November 2013

Bottles are fine if you buy new nipples. I prefer new pumps. I've bought 2 from my family and they died on me :-/

myschlove · November 2013

I used a used car seat and mattress, but I knew the people who gave them to me! The only reason not to have a used car seat is if it's been in an accident or it's expired (they have an exp date on the bottom)

A friend also gave me her pump that she had only used a few times. The tubes DO contact the milk sometimes so you want to get new ones. My hospital uses Medela and if you pump there you get a fresh set if tubes/valves/etc, so I tossed hers and used new ones!

Having a baby doesn't have to cost a fortune! Between craigslist, eBay, goodwill and consignment sales you can find nice baby things (sometimes brand new) for very little $! It's ok to get things gently used, just look them over really well! (Magic eraser and bleach are your friend!

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Is the car seat and mattress the only things you shouldn't buy second hand?

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