Gently used baby clothes for newborns?

TRS48 · February 2014

I know idea I've asked a similar question before regarding gently used equipment for baby... But back to clothes (as some people mentioned in that post). I'm really torn... I've never been a used clothes person before, I just don't shop for myself much, and when I do I buy new clothes- only on clearance. However I stopped in at Once Upon A Child and they are having a huge sale... Onesies for 75 cents... And a $15 fill a bag on Saturday... Anything you fit in a bag they give you, you get for just $15. After buying some "sale" onesies for $4 a piece on Old Navy this morning, I totally experienced sticker shock. Maybe because I have to buy double with twins. So my question is: Do you buy used baby clothes from consignment stores? I guess my hesitation is not knowing what happened in those outfits before I bought them. What if a baby was sick while wearing them? Or had a blow out? These clothes had zero stains when I looked at them... Would that wash out? Am I just being a brat? Is it ok for even newborns to wear gently used clothes? Please don't think I'm a total crazy lady... I just have never bought used before and I am trying to get into it... I just need some reassurance, I guess.

alysie89 · February 2014

Dh and I are on a very tight budget. We did use 2nd hand clothes. I took them home when I bought them and washed them well, and never once had an issue. For me it was most economical, plus they aren't in their clothes for very long before they grow. It's just too expensive to always buy new.
I figured I saved thousands on clothes from newborn to 18 months, by purchasing gently used. That $15 deal is something I'd be all over.

Ylvelill · February 2014

Going 2nd hand for most of the babies clothes

earichar23 · February 2014

I just dropped $20 on a similar 75 percent off sale at my local consignment. I got sleepers in sizes from newborn to 6 m for 75 cents each and $6 Adan & Anais swaddler. I'm all over gently used!

mary1217 · February 2014

Even if a baby got sick or had a blow out in them that wouldn't affect your kids. They have been cleaned by the previous owners probably several times since then and you will obviously wash them before you put your kids in them. Also, if they had stains most consignment stores wouldn't take them. There is nothing wrong with second hand clothes. We are definitely planning on buying second hand clothes for the savings benefit. It is usually just a personal preference.

andyandrachel · February 2014

Go for it! If they look to be in nice condition, I would have no issue with it. I buy consignment clothing for my kids, have hand me downs from family and have even received gently used baby clothing through Freecycle. I always give used clothing a wash before my kids wear it.

allardr · February 2014

I'm huge into used baby clothes, they grow so quick. I just check for stains and obviously wash before 1st use. I buy a few new items but often hit up craigslist & goodwill.

I prefer stores vs. from other moms though because I do scrutinize clothes for stains, correct size, quality, what name brand etc. The mom buys are usually here's a bag for like $10. Though the good part is even with those bags if you find 3 or 4 good items it was worth the price.

katnipeverclean · February 2014

I do a combination of used and new. Honestly a lot of what DH and buy is either 1 season ahead (ie right now I am buying winter clothes for next year) or consignement.

Not only is it better for my wallet, it decreases waste (which does factor in for me). I buy a lot of her daycare rough and tumble play clothes second hand either from consignment shops or from friends who are selling their daughters' used clothes. Her nicer clothes either I or my MIL or mom buy brand new.

Another thing is if you have close friends you can all share your baby clothes. I have two friends and we share between all three of us. This is nice because we all trust each other to take care of the clothes and our kids are only in them for such a short while when they're little that the wear and tear is negligble!

So long story short, give it a good wash and save that money!

Sorry if that was too much information!

MstoMrstoMom851214 · February 2014

I'm going to buy a combo of used and clearance clothing...I refuse to pay full price for clothes that they will grow out of so quickly. I've already gotten some amazing deals, and will likely get more when we find out the sex!

hope1017 · February 2014

There are so many newborn clothes that people buy for their babies and either they only wear them once or never wear them because they grow so fast. The only clothes I have bought are from clearance and will be buying clothes from second hand stores as well. Check craigslist or other thirft stores around you, you'll be amazed at how gently used some of there stuff are that they look brand new. But yes always wash the clothes before the first use; some of them might of been in a storage box collecting dust.

kmawb · February 2014

I bought DD gently used baby clothes and some new on sale (and still buy gently used kid clothes for her, although I've started sewing more so I am making more of her clothes now) and I plan to do the same with this LO (if it's a boy, if it's a girl I already have everything from DD).

tealowl · February 2014

I am a huge thrifter - we buy EVERYTHING used. Anything that I have that is new was a gift or a hand me down. The only thing I buy new is my underwear.

I go months without stepping into a retail store. If I can't find it at Goodwill or the dollar store, I just go without. I can't afford to shop retail, but I prefer to shop this way too. Plus I collect/love retro and vintage things.

All my furniture is used or upcycled or is a family heirloom I acquired. And I have nice things, they are just just well loved.

It boggles my mind that people worry about buying used things - they aren't gross and dirty. They don't have germs on it. Just wash them.

We have two big tubs of baby stuff we've only bought at thrift stores - you can't beat .90 onesies. Just check them for stains first and make sure all the snaps work.

I haven't washed anything yet because I'm waiting until I buy baby detergent and will do them all a few weeks before my EDD.

As for baby items that aren't clothes, I'm a little pickier - I want a new mattress and car seats, but high chairs, swings, cribs I'll buy used, you just have to check for recalls.

1982Babies · February 2014

The kids grow out of things so quickly that it just doesn't make sense for me to buy new.

I am also a huge thrifter, in my regular life. 90% of my clothes are thrifted, the rest were purchased on huge clearance or with rewards (Old Navy/Gap Visa card rewards).

Sure, I can afford to pay regular price, but what's the fun in that? I know too many people who have bought new and their kids never wore one item or wore it once. That just seems wasteful to me.

So, I am definitely going secondhand (thirdhand, fourthhand, whatever).

reils500 · February 2014

Babies grow & go through clothes so quickly. I am all about second hand clothes!
Just look carefully for stains. Germs wash out. And just rewash before LOs wear them (you should do this with new clothes too). Happy thrifting!

ghostof5letters · February 2014

I had lots of hand me downs, so I'm not against used baby clothing. I am however, easily annoyed by picking through stores like Once Upon a Baby. If I were having twins, I'd get over my annoyance and buy anything used I could.

LuluPMW · February 2014

Since I'm also having twins I've definitely become very open to hand me downs and shopping second hand and will go that route for most of their things. The rate that my belly is growing is enough to convince me this is the way to go. Even new clothes are exposed to germs from shoppers, so I'll give them a wash and not worry about it.

A revelation for me was learning there is no guarantee they will be the same size, so it may not be worth getting matchy matchy outfits until after they are born.

Check out the twin board for tips too!

yurmom · February 2014

ghostof5letters said:
I had lots of hand me downs, so I'm not against used baby clothing. I am however, easily annoyed by picking through stores like Once Upon a Baby. If I were having twins, I'd get over my annoyance and buy anything used I could.

Same, that shit is packed so tight in there I have a hard time looking through it. I love hand me downs though, they are worn so briefly they're usually in great condition. Most of DDs 1 year clothing was from my two SILs, my friend, and the cashier at Dunkin Donuts.

Kohler2009 · February 2014

Before DS came along, I said I would never shop second hand. He is now 3 and over half his clothes come from consignment. They grow so fast that they are only in clothes for a season. I couldn't rationalize paying a lot for temporary clothing. I just make sure I wash everything before he wears it and we have had no issues. If you find a really good sale near you, you can get some awesome deals and not feel guilty about stocking up!!

LyndseylovesHugh · February 2014

I bought all if DDs baby clothes brand new and after she had been here for a few months I realized what a waste it was! She never even wore half the stuff we bought for her, and the things she did wear she outgrew after a few wears. I now buy a combination of new and used and will gladly buy used clothes for this baby! I actually just bought some adorable sweaters for dd second hand that look brand new!

Myanswer true · February 2014

I've always gotten my goddaughter second hand clothes, and will be doing the same for my own child. Its so much cheaper, and allows me to dress my kids (and I count my goddaughter) very nicely on a budget.

INmommy871278 · February 2014

@tealowl you took the words right out of my mouth. DH had issues at first with used stuff, but I have shown him the light. Plus goodwills around here have items that are brand new still in original packaging or with original tags in them so they aren't even used. The few clothes DS has that are brand new were either bought on clearance or my mom bought him. I've been bugging my mom about when the kids sale will be at the elementary school she works at so I can plan a visit for that day.

As far as germs and such go, I wash everything in a jot water load which will kill and germs that may have gotten on them. Like pp said, the clothes have been washed numerous times already, so the clothes are cleaned.

cookieinva · February 2014

I didn't normally shop secondhand before DS but I sure as heck do now. Consignment stores and my neighborhood children's consignment sale. As baby and even still. He doesn't know or care so why should I? I will do it as long as humanly possible since they outgrow clothes so quickly. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

redhotmama7 · February 2014

Once upon a child is so overpacked I normally get frustrated and leave with nothing... However if I'd known about a bag for $15 I'd be in there fighting among the crowd to find some awesome deals.

My favorite place is consignment sales I was just introduced to this last year and it was great they're very picky about what they allow. Also, the space is generally in a gymnasium so it's spread out and you have an easier time searching things. I'm excited two big ones in my area are in April and I will know my baby's sex by then so I can go on the first day and again on the clearance day.

Last year I got a radio flyer metal ride on car that retails for $80 for just $15 and it looks brand new.

pfeilele · February 2014

I don't have the patience for it most of the time, but I see nothing wrong with buying used. I'll look at garage sales, go to consignment sales, or buy from people I know if they're selling stuff. The quality of our goodwill stores leaves much to be desired.

I do buy clearance items for the upcoming months/years though. I have sized bins in the basement. If there are really good sales on clearance items, especially online at gap, children's place, or old navy, I'll shop ahead. I get warm and cold weather items because you never know what weather you'll get in WI, but nothing specific like swim gear or Christmas outfits because I don't know what size he'll be in at that moment.

TG07 · February 2014

Definitely buying used and clearance clothes. A lot of consignment shops have clothes that still have tags on them too. Totally worth looking at

singingirl96 · February 2014

I find that once upon a child can be a little overpriced sometimes.

Your best bet is going to consignment sales, swap meets, yard sales and facebook yard sale pages.

You can find great stuff for really cheap.

Just because it is used it doesn't mean it is no good. Yes, there is a lot of junk out there, but you can be really picky about it. I only buy stuff that looks nearly brand new and only stuff I really like.

Most of the time, my son is dressed way nicer than me. I can usually dress him from head to toe (including shoes) for less than you'd pay for a t-shirt new.

argonne · February 2014

I buy used and new. We have those huge consignment sales around us and can usually score some nice clothes for little$. Even though we can afford to buy all new, my frugal side tells me that there's no point since they grow out of things so fast and they usually spit up or crap on whatever you put them in.

I am hitting up clearance at Target this weekend to stock up on winter items for next year. This one is a girl (at least the tech was 85% sure), so we need girl clothes. If this one were a boy, we'd be golden. I have boxes of boy clothes, some, of which, have never been worn. My MIL hits up store sales and garage sales, so she'll be sending us boxes of clothes here shortly (we have her only grandchildren so she spoils them).

uagirl · February 2014

I'm currently sitting outside waiting on a consignment sale to open. We do a mix of used and new.

TRS48 · February 2014

Thank you all sooooo much! I really appreciate all of your advice! I will be heading to the $15 fill a bag sale tomorrow with confidence tomorrow

emineminem · February 2014

Thanks for the tip! Do you know if its every once upon a child??

TRS48 · February 2014

@missquela Im not sure, I would call yours to find out. She said (at the one near me) they do it 2x a year so its worth a phone call!

INmommy871278 · February 2014

@missquela ours had their $15 bag sale a couple weeks ago, so it depends in your area. Like pp saiid you can always call and find out.

fmb2011 · February 2014

Yep, I buy new and used too! But I love hand me downs from our friends who always buy new for their girls and sometimes stuff isn't even worn when they give it us.

lauralynn710 · February 2014

I think it will be fine! Just wash them good. I am totally a fan of thrift store and things like that! And you can't beat the prices! I don't want to be a stick in the mud, but why go and spend soooo much money on baby clothes that they will grow out of in a month or so?

abchittam · February 2014

I'm a die hard consignment mommy here! I will even work the sales in order to shop FIRST at the consignments we have. I say wash it and go. A lot of times you can find stuff with tags still on it and some of it was just washed but never worn.

Off to find the closest Once Upon A Child…
I think I'm willing to drive a bit for this sale.

Mrs.DeRuysscher · February 2014

yes i will purchase used clothes as long as there is no stains and is from a smoke free home.( only bc i find even after they are cleaned they still smell) we have also been given many used clothes from family members. people always say babies arn't cheap but thats to those people who arn't willing to compromise. babies grow so quickly they don't need name brand expensive clothes.

1982Babies · February 2014

TRS48 said:

Thank you all sooooo much! I really appreciate all of your advice! I will be heading to the $15 fill a bag sale tomorrow with confidence tomorrow

Hope you post a pic of your haul

rach1285 · February 2014

I just looked up the one closest to me and I missed the sale! It was last weekend... :-(

Edit: mobile making its own decisions

abchittam · February 2014

rach1285 said:
I just looked up the one closest to me and I missed the sale! It was last weekend...

I looked mine up before driving, luckily. The closest to me is having their sale on the 22nd and I would have to drive 79mi/ 2hours to get there. So glad I looked first!!

iris427 · February 2014

We bought tons of clothes for our daughter at Once Upon a Child. We got lots of cute things, some of my favorite of her baby clothes came from there. And my son has tons of hand me downs from other kids too.

If a kid had a blowout or was sick in the clothes before we got them, NBD. They've been washed.

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