Second-hand Baby Stuff Guide: The Dos & Don'ts Of Used Baby Equipment

In all the excitement of expecting, we’re sure you’ve browsed the entire internet for tiny baby booties and ogled at Silver Cross buggies with a tear in your eye. But then, hang on… zoom in… It all costs how much? Buying baby gear can be expensive, even when you’re going for the more affordable options. If you’re not looking to remortgage your house to buy a buggy, you’ve likely turned to the mystical world of second-hand baby stuff. 

Whether you want to know where to buy second-hand baby stuff, what you should look out for when buying second-hand baby gear, or what second-hand baby items to avoid, we’re here to help you through it!

Where to buy second-hand baby stuff

When it comes to your precious bundle of baby, you only ever want the best. That means you need to know you’re buying used baby stuff that comes from a reputable source. You don’t need to wonder where to buy baby stuff any longer. We’ve done all the window shopping for you and summarised the best (and the least best) places to buy your baby gear. 

1. Your nearest and dearest

The most reliable source of all! We’re certain your family and friends are almost as excited as you are that you’re expecting. They’ll gladly dig through their lofts/garages/spare rooms for you. 

Not only will your second-hand baby item likely come with a nice cuppa, but you’ll also know the item’s full history. It’s always reassuring to know where something’s been before you became its proud second or 27th owner. 

It can be challenging to keep track of who’s giving who what and when - that’s where LittleList comes in! Re-gifting is a perfect way to help your wallet and the planet. We know you’ll want some of your baby’s kit to be new and shiny. We also know that some items are just as good when they’re pre-loved. So, choosing our pre-loved alternatives option is a chance for your friends and family to speak up if they’ve got an equivalent item gathering dust in their loft. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to accept it!) 

Once you create your LittleList account, you’ll be able to browse all our baby stuff and compile a list of must-haves and would-love-to-haves. From there, you can start selecting which items you’d be open to having re-gifted from loved ones. 

2. Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and Vinted

The behemoths of the second-hand world - Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and Vinted are treasure troves of pre-loved baby supplies. You’ll find that a whole army of parents are flogging their baby gear in an attempt to keep their loft clear and make a few extra pennies. It’s a great and convenient place to find a whole range of items. 

Buyer beware though! There are a few pieces of baby equipment that you shouldn’t buy second-hand due to health and safety. No need to worry - we’ve done all the research for you. Keep reading to find out what you should be looking out for and what baby items you shouldn’t buy used. 

3. eBay and online auctions

Like the above sites, eBay is a great place to shop online for used baby equipment - but with an added twist! Bidding! If you can’t get enough of Storage Hunters, this is the used marketplace for you. It can be a great place to grab a bargain… but beware. Prices can begin to ramp up quickly if you find yourself in a bidding war. 

4. NCT Nearly New Sales

The NCT is the national charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. They’re striving for a world where no parent is isolated and all parents are supported to build a stronger society - and we can get behind that wholeheartedly! To help keep parenting costs down, the NCT’s Nearly New Sales are a great way to save or make some money (depending on whether you’re buying or selling.) 

As if saving pennies wasn’t nice enough on its own, the money raised through NCT Nearly New Sales helps support local NCT community groups as well as national projects like the NCT infant feeding line, NCT campaigns and parent information. Just imagine all the good karma from just one purchase! Beats buying from Amazon - that’s for sure.
You can find a local NCT Nearly New Sale here.

5. Pre-loved children's clothing boutiques

Babies grow quickly. We all know that. And yet, we all still buy the teeny-tiny adorable but very impractical baby-sized trainers that are definitely only going to fit your newborn for approximately three seconds. Once babies outgrow all their cute clothes, they could end up in a pre-loved children’s clothing boutique. (That’s second-hand clothing for children, just to double-check. Not a clothes boutique that runs an adoption service on the side.) 

If you live in a major city, you can probably find a pre-loved baby clothing storefront and shop in person. If you’re more into the fresh air, you’ll still be able to shop lots of these stores online and have it delivered to your door. 

6. Charity shops, jumble sales and car boot sales

If you ever feel like getting off the internet and venturing into the “real world” (are we pronouncing that correctly?), you’re sure to find plenty of pre-loved baby items in the usual places. Your local high street is sure to have plenty of charity shops to fish through. You’ll likely have to do a little more research to find a jumble or car boot sale near you, but you never know where you’ll find some hidden gems. 

Things to consider when buying second-hand baby supplies

We all love a bargain. But sometimes, bargains don’t love us. While these bits of second-hand baby gear aren’t strict no-nos, it’s a good idea to double-check they’re in a good condition before you let them anywhere near your bundle of joy.

Second-hand baby clothes

There’s one main rule when it comes to second-hand baby clothes. Before you start kitting out your mini fashionista, make sure to give everything a good wash. Even if you know they’ve been washed already, it’s best to wash them with your own products. That way, you know there won’t be any adverse reactions to something like a dodgy detergent.

Second-hand bottles

So long as the actual bottle isn’t warped, broken in some way, and they’re BPA-free, they’re good to use! Make sure you sterilise them first. And you’ll definitely want to replace the teat on top, too.

Second-hand high chairs

Pre-loved high chairs can have a few issues, and when it comes to your baby’s tush, it’s always good to err on the side of caution. Some second-hand high chairs could have assembly issues, parts could be missing, or screws could be a little too worn to be fit for use. Some older models might not be fully up to date with current safety standards. To double-check, make sure to google the make and model of the chair before putting your bundle of joy in it. 

And again, give it a good scrub - who knows how many layers of banana puree could lurk within? Pro parenting tip - some high-chair trays can even be popped in the dishwasher if you have one!

Second-hand toys

Typically, second-hand baby toys are fine. So long as they’ve had a good scrub (are you noticing a pattern here?) and are in good working order, aka not broken or mouldy, then they’ll be alright to use. Even if the toy looks shiny and new, make sure to have a Google around and check that the toy hasn’t been recalled.

Second-hand prams, pushchairs and buggies

When it comes to buggies and travel systems, it’s generally okay to use pre-loved alternatives. Be sure to double-check all the safety requirements are in ship shape and that it’s suitable for all your needs. It might be a good idea to get it professionally cleaned too, as there could be all sorts of crumbs, grime and various questionable fluids in those hard-to-reach crevices. 

Baby items that you shouldn’t buy used

We’re not about belittling here at LittleList. We trust that you’re an adult with the capability to make your own decisions. If you’re confident that a pre-loved baby item is fine to use, then you know best for you and your baby. That being said, these baby products are typically much easier to buy new than to take on second-hand. 

Second-hand car seats

There are two schools of thought when it comes to infant car seats. 

 1. Buy new. Expensive? Yep. But it’s probably the best option for peace of mind. Why? Because unless you’re absolutely certain of a car seat’s history, it simply might not be safe - and not all damage is immediately visible. We know from experience that old car seats can be tricky to dispose of (how often have you seen them dumped in the street getting soggy?) but some areas do offer recycling schemes which you can recommend to any loved ones desperate to offload theirs if you don’t feel comfortable accepting their offering. Don’t worry about offending them; just gently explain the rationale - and remember, a slightly miffed relative is far preferable to putting your little one at unnecessary risk. 

2. Beg or borrow. If someone you know well offers up a car seat, you should be able to trust them. If you hate the idea of such a hefty (not to mention useful, and pricey!) item going to landfill, and you know for sure it hasn’t been in an accident or damaged in any way (it’s common for car seats to get a bit battered in the hold on a plane, for instance), why would you pass up a freebie? 

 There are no actual laws around this; ultimately it’s a big decision that is down to you – but if you do accept a pre-loved option, you should do the following: 

• Examine it carefully for damage (including removing the covers. Warning: they’re a bugger to get back on!).  

• Make sure you have the manufacturer's instructions to hand.  

• Check the manufacturer's advice about how old the seat should be before it needs to be replaced (because the plastic can go brittle over time due to exposure to heat and light).  

• Make sure the seat is suitable for your child's weight and height and is rear-facing for babies under 9 months. There’s a handy guide here. 

• Try the seat in your car and make sure you can fit it securely.  

• Check that the seat meets the United Nations standard Regulation 44.04 - look for the 'E' mark, or an i-size seat. 

Second-hand cots

While most standard second-hand cots are fine to accept, we’d recommend giving them a thorough once-over before committing - has a non-toxic paint been used? Are all the parts in working order, particularly if it has different height settings?  

 If you’re offered a dropside cot (a cot with an adjustable side designed to make it easier for shorter parents or those who’ve had a C-section to lift the baby in and out), you should also do your research. These kinds of cots were banned in the US in 2011 after a spate of safety issues, but are still manufactured and sold in the UK due to higher national safety standards: if you do take one pre-loved, make sure yours meets these requirements and has a functioning lock mechanism to keep the side firmly in place.    

 We would recommend that cot mattresses, however, should always be bought new, due to the increased risk of SIDS that appears to be linked to pre-loved mattresses (due to the presence of certain bacteria). If you do decide to accept an old cot mattress from a friend or family member, you need to make sure it properly fits the cot, has a waterproof mattress protector and is firm and in good condition, as well as giving it a thorough clean and airing before use. If in any doubt, get rid - new mattresses don’t need to break the bank and are definitely the safer option. 

Second-hand breast pumps

Generally, it’s recommended to buy a breast pump new; there are a few slight risks with going for the pre-loved option, namely the potential for bacteria and therefore infection. 

 There are two types of pump - closed and open system - and if you do opt for secondhand, make sure it’s the closed option; this means there’s a barrier between the milk collection unit and the pumping parts, and therefore the risk of contamination is drastically reduced. You could also purchase new parts rather than a whole new pump to be on the even safer side. 

 The other downside with a pre-loved pump (and most other pre-loved electrical items) is that it’s unlikely to still be under guarantee should anything go wrong.