We all know babies can cost a lot of money and sometimes the saving of a few pounds can be appealing, but where is it safe to save and when should you buy something new? After all, wanting the best for your baby shouldn’t be a bankrupting experience, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of safety either.
Risky second-hand items
From online marketplaces and bidding sites to charity shops and hand-me-downs from family, second-hand is as easy as buying new, you just need to know what to look out for. The list of items that should always be bought new is short, but each item is there for a reason:
Beds (whether Moses basket, crib or cot) are one of the higher ticket items you’re going to need for a newborn, and whilst using a second-hand crib/cot can be a great money saver for new parents, safety guidelines recommend that you should always buy a new mattress. The Lullaby Trust explains there is “some research that found an increased chance of SIDS when using a second-hand mattress brought in from outside of the family home, although the link is not yet proven.”
General advice is that each baby should have a new mattress of its own – for both sanitary and safety reasons – but it’s understood that this is not always possible. If you’re going to use a second-hand mattress, it’s recommended that you ensure it’s always been protected by a waterproof cover and is free from any holes, tears and sagging.
Like a bike helmet, once a car seat’s been involved in a crash it should be discarded and if buying second-hand, you can never truly know that seat’s history. It’s also relatively unknown that car seats expire and shouldn’t be used indefinitely.
There are some items that are not clear cut on whether you should buy new so you might want to think twice about buying second-hand if you can.
Buggies/prams are fine to purchase preloved, but you should check that the brakes are in good working order, the frame is stable and there are no finger traps or sharp parts. You’ll also want to ensure that there have been no recalls on the one you’re looking at, and that fabric parts are clean and not worn out in any areas. Baby Centre’s article on Pushchair Safety is worth a read too.
Slings/carriers can deteriorate over time or with heavy use so will need to be inspected for signs of wear and tear. Counterfeit carriers are actually a much larger problem than some might realise too so it’s always worth asking for original receipt where possible. Advice on how to spot a fake baby carrier can be found here.
Breast pumps and their suitability as a second-hand purchase differs depending on who you ask. A closed pump is considered fine second-hand as there is a barrier between the motor and the milk whereas an open pump often isn’t due to the risk of milk particles entering the motor where bacteria and mould has the potential to grow. In a nutshell, if complete and proper sterilisation of all parts can be achieved, it is fine to be reused by different mothers.
Shoes are something your little one is undoubtedly going to outgrow quickly, and it can sometimes feel like you’re throwing your money away, but properly fitted shoes are important for the development of those little feet. Leather shoes will mould to feet so aren’t suitable for another child to wear whereas pram shoes get very light use so would be fine to use again. It is personal preference but provided the shoes are not too worn out or the support is not degraded, second-hand shoes can save a fair few pennies.
Safe to buy second-hand
You’ll be glad to hear the list of items that are perfectly safe to use second-hand is vast and accommodating of all budgets:
Clothing is probably the most obvious item that’s acceptable second-hand given its ability to be well cleaned. It’s also a great way to reduce clothing waste, just be sure to check for any choking hazards such as loose buttons or other items that might fall off. It’s also a good idea to avoid anything with a drawstring neck.
Highchairs are designed to last so buying one that’s not new to you is a great way to save some money. We just recommend seeing it in person to ensure it’s in good working order and clean – you can only imagine how disgusting a highchair can get when little ones are learning to eat.
Stair gates should be fine to purchase second-hand, you’ll just need to check for areas that have been damaged or weakened by a rattling/climbing toddler. Try to locate a sticker that indicates the stair gate conforms to current European safety standards BS EN 1930:2011.
Rockers & swings are fine to purchase preloved provided you’re able to fully inspect the item before you purchase and you’re sure that all is working order. It’s also worth checking that the item comes from a smoke free home.
Toys can be a hit or a miss with children and second-hand purchases offer an opportunity to see what they like (or more importantly don’t like). Buying preloved also provides a chance to save money with both plastic and wooden toys being easily disinfected. Just make the usual checks for loose parts, chipped paint, faulty battery compartments etc and look for a CE mark to ensure it reaches European safety standards. Toys approved by the British Toy and Hobby Association will also carry the Lion Mark but for a little more guidance, toy safety advice can be found here.
Please also take the time to read this article on the safety issues surrounding button batteries and magnet dangers in new toys on certain platforms.
Baby baths are absolutely fine to use second-hand and are often very lightly used as babies grow out of them so quickly.
Books are a fantastic secondhand purchase and can be easily cleaned. Board books and hardback covers can be wiped down whilst fabric baby books can go through the washing machine. There’s even a trick for ridding any musty smells from your books – place a book in to a container with scrunched up newspaper for 3-5 days to absorb the smell.
Considerations of second-hand
The general rule of thumb is to ensure that you thoroughly inspect anything that you buy second-hand. Having an item come with the original instruction manual is a bonus but don’t worry if it doesn’t, these can often be found online. You may also wish to search online and check for any recalls to ensure that the second-hand item you purchase is fit for purpose as many toys and baby items are recalled each year for safety reasons but not all are returned, and some may find their way on to the second-hand market. The model number or product name should be sufficient to do this. Safe Kids has detailed lists of product recalls which can be searched by year here.
Where to buy second-hand
Large platforms such as eBay and Vinted are obvious starting points for buying second-hand items but there’s plenty of opportunity for local savings too. The Bailiwick has a number of well-established selling pages on Facebook that can provide a wealth of savings such as Baby items for Sale and Baby/Children Items for Sale. You’ll need to join the groups to see what’s on offer but there’s plenty a bargain to be had from clothes and baby baths to toys, buggies and books.
There is also a Facebook page dedicated to baby carriers and slings which can be found here.
Guernsey is also fortunate to have a large selection of charity shops selling baby and child items. The British Red Cross shop, Go and Les Bourgs Hospice children’s shop all have dedicated baby/child areas whereas Cancer Research and Health Connection’s Preloved stores have a selection of children’s items too.
Car boot sales can also be an amazing source of bargains. Active Guernsey holds regular Saturday car boot sales throughout the year.
In case you didn’t know and haven’t had much luck with books on island, Amazon often has used books available under each listing which also details the condition of the item.
World of Books and Music Magpie are online retailers specialising in secondhand items that are worth looking at too.
When buying new
If you’re looking to buy new, IslandFamilies Community Club members get 10% off all full price items in Creasey’s nursery department.
You can see all the up-to-date member offer listings here.