Big Consignment Sale on Baby Gear- What would you buy as a first time mom?

natalie559 · March 2014

Hello! My town has a large consignment sale twice a year. I was able to sign up as a first time mom to shop the sale early. The sale is the beginning of April and we are due beginning of September. I was thinking of using the sale as an opportunity to purchase some higher value items at a great price that I might not receive at my shower. We are first time parents so the purchasing of baby gear is slightly intimidating- there is just so much and you wonder if you're buying the right item for you within the category.

So I'd like to ask if you were shopping this sale, https://www.theoneweekboutique.com/ , what would you plan on purchasing? Are there items you should only buy new?

Some of my thoughts were crib, stroller, car seat, comfy chair for the nursery, vibrating baby seat, pack in play, rock n play type sleeper, video monitor. . .??

Thank you!

AKB090609 · March 2014

Things I would never buy used are a crib and car seat (the only exception I would make is from family or friends who could give me a full and trusted history of the item).

Great things to buy used are baby tubs, swings, bouncers, clothing, soft toys that can be washed, cloth diapers (if you want), blankets and baby carriers.

I would only buy a used stroller if I knew it was the one I wanted (I would shop around ahead of time to make sure you know what you want).

I also buy bottles, pump/pump parts, tethers and 'special' items new.

jschmidt6 · March 2014

That sounds fun!! I would get a diaper genie, an extra diaper pad/changing station (we had a pad in our bedroom and also obviously the nursery) if your house is bigger you might want one in the living room. Newborn babies poop every second! I would also get doubles of some stuff to keep at my parents house like a swing, bouncy seat and stuff like that so we didn't have to travel with it. I bought a carseat travel bag for airline gate checking for $5 which was one of my proudest mommy purchases ever (they retail for $30+). I looked for a car mirror so I could see him while driving but never found one. A Johnny Jump Up doorway jumper thing, those are great for when they are a little older and you're trying to take a shower or fold laundry or something. As you can tell I bought quite a bit of stuff used and I'm sooo glad I did because he will only use these things for a few months but he might use them everyday for a few months!! Have fun!

natalie559 · March 2014

Thank you both. I understand not buying a car seat used due to possible accidents, but why not a crib if the brand could be verified as not being recalled?

jschmidt6 · March 2014

We bought our nursery furniture on craigslist. It looked basically brand new except for some teeth marks on the crib lol

MelCfromMN · March 2014

I think the crib would be fine as long as it doesn't have a drop side. Anything other than a car seat and a breast pump I think would be fair game. I'd keep an eye out for the floor gyms, swings, and other "gear" they only use for a few months (Bumbo, toys, Rock N Play, Jumperoo, & Bouncer chairs were some of my favorites only used for a few months). That looks like a cool sale and I wish I had something similar where I am, our OUAC sucks, and going to the various thrift stores/garage sales is way too time consuming for me to maybe find something baby related.

hollygb22 · March 2014

jumperoo, activity mat, bumbo, swing, bouncy seat, PNP i would buy used in a heartbeat

I second the no used carseat or breastpump unless they were very good friends and you trusted the history etc (ex. my friend used her breast pump once. I took it from her and replaced all parts and didn't have an issue with doing this)

jess9802 · March 2014

I think our space saver high chair was a yard sale find (my aunt bought it for her grandson then passed it on to us).

I wouldn't buy a used mattress or car seat. Another thing I would steer clear of are Ergo carriers - there are a lot of knockoffs out there that may not perform as well as the authentic brand, which could be dangerous.

AKB090609 · March 2014

Regulations changed in 2011 or 2012 and I would be concerned that the used cribs being sold do not meet the new standards. I also feel like there are plenty of reasonably priced cribs that you can buy new and know are safe.

LittleFish1 · March 2014

natalie559 said:
Thank you both. I understand not buying a car seat used due to possible accidents

Other things that people may have done with car seats, which make it an item to avoid since would cause it to potentally be unsafe onclude washing or submerging the straps on the harness, checking the seat on an air plane, incorrectly rethreading the carseat straps.

Not seen on other's lists to also consider, foam mats for the floor, activity cubes, some outter wear/ jacket type clothing, maternity wear.

kmkaull2 · March 2014

If you think the grandparents might need some gear, I would pick it up at a consignment sale. Specifically, I bought an extra bathtub, swing, and high chair for my parents' house.

Anything big and plastic like an Exersaucer or Jumperoo. Honestly, they are all the same, and babies use them for a really short period of time. I bought both of mine used off of Craigslist and am so glad I didn't spend more than $40 on each.

Things you might be sure about. I bought an Ergo at a consignment sale, hated it, and resold it at the next sale.

dmurrie · March 2014

No car seats or breast pump or bottles that have been used with breast milk... and I would also steer clear of crib mattresses... Babies R Us runs $55 one day sales in them occasionally, so I'd watch out for that deal instead.

Look for high chairs, booster seats (particularly travel friendly ones), PNP, jumperoos, SWING, bouncer, maybe a dresser if you don't have one, changing table if it looks nice and sturdy and in good shape, umbrella stroller or even the big stroller, clothes, especially outerwear and pants with button elastic.

If you have a smart phone, I would definitely recommend bringing it with and looking up the particular things you may be thinking of buying to make sure there are no recalls on them.

CLLDLL · March 2014

Carseats I would only buy new or from a close friend/family who I trusted to tell me whether it had been in an accident and what the expiration date is on the plastic. (Plastic degrades over time as it's exposed to heat/cold. It can also weaken if it's in an accident. So a carseat has been in an accident it shouldn't be used.)

As PPs have said, I'd avoid a used crib unless you know for sure it meets all the newest requirements and isn't missing any pieces.

The only used breast pump I'd consider is a hospital grade one that is a closed system where milk can't get into the motor & mold.

I'd personally also avoid anything that can't be sanitized or washed in a hot wash with bleach to kill anything like yeast (thrush).

Things I'd purchase used - bathtub, Rock-n-Play, high chair, jumper, plastic toys, clothes, noise makers, video/audio/motion monitors, etc.

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Big Consignment Sale on Baby Gear- What would you buy as a first time mom?

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