Car seats

mariabduffy · October 2017

Hi soon to be mommys.
I bought a second hand carseat and stroller combo. Lady told me it has never been in an accident or anything. Well with time passed and getting closer...and having pregnancy brains....I did not check if the carseat was expired at time of purchase and it is expired.
My question is...do hospitals check for whether or not the carseat is expired and if its safe to take baby home from the hospital? Thank you for any input. Enjoy your baby and day ☺

cait5413 · October 2017

We had to have the carseat installed, but I don't remember them checking the expiration date. BUT you should not use a second-hand or expired carseat. It's not safe.

ameliabedelia-2 · October 2017

I guess my question would be why you would even want to use a secondhand expired carseat?

eazybreezy225 · October 2017

You should never purchase a used or expired car seat, ever... No matter how many times the seller claims the seat has "never been in an accident".. you have absolutely no way to verify this. And even if you believe that the person was never in an accident, you cannot know without a doubt how that car seat was stored or treated.
Maybe it took a tumble down the stairs or an animal chewed at the straps while in storage.
There are so many reasons why a used seat is a hazard. Why risk your baby's life for the sake of saving a few dollars?
I'm all for saving money, and you can purchase just about everything for baby second hand... but a car seat is NOT one of them.

elev2017 · October 2017

I got one of our car seats second hand from my cousin because I trust her and she was using the seat for her baby up until a week ago, but I don't think I would ever use a secondhand car seat from a stranger, even if it wasn't expired. I think it would be best for you to swallow the loss and purchase a new car seat to ensure your baby's safety.

Marley629 · October 2017

My suggestion would be to find a trade in event at a BRU or Target and trade in the used, expired seat for a new one at a discounted rate. It is not safe to a) purchase a used car seat from a stranger and b) definitely not safe to use an expired seat.

elcd458 · October 2017

The trade-in event at Target might still be going on. It was a couple of weeks ago.
My hospital is pretty strict about car seats and would definitely not let you use an expired one. Somebody once came in trying to use a "For Display Only" car seat supposedly given to them by coworkers and they would not let them leave until they got another.

Keep in mind, all car seats must pass the same safety standards. An inexpensive new car seat is just as safe as a $300 car seat, it just might not be as cute or trendy, or possibly a little bulkier/heavier. But you're much better off getting a less expensive new seat than you are getting a used one!

elev2017 · October 2017

@elcd458 Unfortunately the Target trade in event just ended last week (we traded one in on the last day it was running).

kyrwyn · October 2017

+1 to no expired and no second-hand-from strangers.

Unfortunately BRU's safety sale (25% off car seats) ended yesterday, too.

Tennis11785 · October 2017

Not to harp on OP but very much +1 to what everyone else has said about not using a 2nd hand or expired, and especially not both.

flowerpower5838 · October 2017

Walmart has infant car seats starting at $55. I would only use a carseat second hand from someone I know and know well and NEVER an expired seat. I believe it's illegal for them to even have had sold you an expired seat.

anewadventure · October 2017

mariabduffy said:

Hi soon to be mommys.
I bought a second hand carseat and stroller combo. Lady told me it has never been in an accident or anything. Well with time passed and getting closer...and having pregnancy brains....I did not check if the carseat was expired at time of purchase and it is expired.
My question is...do hospitals check for whether or not the carseat is expired and if its safe to take baby home from the hospital? Thank you for any input. Enjoy your baby and day ☺

QFP.

i'll keep it short and to the point of your question. no - it's not safe. please buy a new car seat before baby's arrival. i know it sucks but that doesn't matter. i personally would never buy a used car seat but that is your choice, not mine.

i second PPs in that "cheaper" car seats are not less safe. they all must meet minimum standards. i hope you can find a trade-in event. good luck.

dkizz82 · October 2017

First of all it was illegal for her to sell it to you. Secondly, no it’s not safe. I agree to go to Walmart and get a cheap one off money is the issue.

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