When it comes to baby, you want to make sure that everything that you have is safe and wonderful. Part of the excitement of having a baby is going out and getting lots of cute things in anticipation of the blessed arrival. And then, for some of us, reality sets in. Babies can get expensive. Baby showers can help, but sometimes you wind up with a lot of clothes that they outgrow within a few weeks or stacks of baby blankets, and you find yourself missing essentials, such as a crib or a car seat.
To fill in the gaps, you might want to consider purchasing some items second hand. Be warned, though, this isn’t a good idea for everything. Use this guide to help you decide and plan.
Where to Get Pre-Owned Baby Items
Pre-owned baby items can come from a number of places, from hand me downs from friends, to online classifieds and auctions, to consignment stores, thrift shops and yard sales. For some items, you will definitely want to know the history behind them.
What to Probably Get New
Because of safety standards, you should probably get the crib and the car seat new. The exceptions would be if those items were only a year or two old and you can trust the history behind them. Always search recall lists for these items.
Electronic breast pumps should also be purchased new. This is because of the danger of bacteria in the hoses, breast pieces and even in the motor casing. Hospital grade pumps are closed systems and are okay to get used, provided that you buy new hoses and breast pieces, or have a way to sterilize them. If you wouldn’t let your baby nurse from whomever owned the breast pump in the past, then you should probably invest in a new pump.
What to Get Used
As fun as it is to pick out new baby clothes, getting them used makes good sense. Babies outgrown everything so quickly, and clothes can really add up. Buy one new coming home outfit and get the rest used. Just make sure to check for lose snaps or buttons that could pose a hazard, and wash everything throughly (you should do the same with new clothing, too).
Cloth diapers and diaper covers can also be obtained used. Diapers can be easily sterilized in the wash or in the dryer.
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