Awaiting the arrival of a new baby is an exciting time -- and an expensive one. There are so many baby things to buy for your new little one, and new parents are often genuinely shocked at the cost before the newborn even arrives. While thrifty parents might be tempted to save money by buying certain items used, there are some baby items not to buy secondhand under any circumstances. Here is what to know before you shop.
Six Baby Items Not to Buy Secondhand
Car Seat
A car seat is one of the most important purchases you will make for your baby. Every state requires infants and children to ride in one, and parents are not allowed to leave the hospital without their baby properly secured. New car seats are expensive, and used ones are a real temptation when you see them for a fraction of the price.
What you may not know is that car seats expire -- typically six to nine years after their manufacture date. Beyond expiration, you have no way of knowing whether a used car seat has been in an accident. A car seat that has been in even a minor crash may look fine but have compromised structural integrity that renders it unsafe. Buy a new car seat from a reputable company. Skimp on something else.
Crib
Along with car seats, cribs are essential baby items not to buy secondhand. A few years ago, cribs with drop-down sides were widely sold and used. They were eventually banned because of serious safety issues -- but they still turn up for sale online from individual sellers. Do not purchase them.
Beyond the drop-side issue, you have no way of knowing how a used crib was stored or handled. It may have had heavy boxes stacked on top of it, compromising its structural integrity. It may be missing important hardware. A new crib comes with the peace of mind that it meets today's safety standards and arrives complete. Spend the money here -- everyone sleeps better, especially baby.
Baby Crib Mattress
Buy a new crib mattress at the same time you buy the crib. A used crib mattress has typically been slept on for two or three years, which creates wear, rips, and creases where mold and bacteria can grow. Beyond hygiene concerns, a used mattress may not fit your new crib correctly, which is a safety issue in itself. This is not the place to save money.
Breast Pump
A breast pump may be on your baby registry, and if so, buy it new -- or rent a hospital-grade pump designed for multiple users. You should never purchase a personal breast pump that has been used by someone else. Moisture and milk residue can travel through the tubing and into the motor, contaminating the milk you pump and potentially making your baby sick.
If cost is a concern, contact your health insurance provider before purchasing. Many plans cover breastfeeding supplies under the Affordable Care Act, which means a breast pump may be covered at no cost to you.
Infant Formula
Infant formula sells secondhand regularly, and it should not. Beyond the obvious risk of tampering, even well-meaning sellers may not realize that infant formula must be stored in a cool, dry area between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Formula left in a hot car, a freezing garage, or near a heat source can degrade and lose critical nutrients, and there is no way to know that from looking at the packaging.
If cost is the concern, buy store brand. The FDA strictly regulates the nutritional content of all infant formula sold in the United States, which means store-brand versions often offer the same quality as name brands at roughly half the price.
Baby Toys
Vintage toys and hand-me-down favorites from grandparents are a sweet idea -- but older toys do not always meet the safety standards in place today. They may have small pieces that pose a choking hazard, sharp edges, or paint that contains lead. If a toy was manufactured before modern safety regulations were established, it is not worth the risk, no matter how nostalgic.
New Mama Deck® for the Transition to Parenthood
Knowing which baby items not to buy secondhand is one of those things nobody covers in detail until you are already in the middle of setting up a nursery. New Mama Deck® was built for exactly this kind of season -- the weeks before and after your baby arrives, when there is more to figure out than any one person should have to do alone. Each prompt card offers a gentle, practical nudge toward something useful: nursery prep, self-care, building routines, and accepting help without having to manage it.
If the mental load of preparing for a new baby is already feeling like too much, our guide to reducing decision fatigue is worth reading before your due date.
