Second-hand Baby

I watched the movie ‘Second-hand wedding’ a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it.  It also got me thinking about the different views on second-hand baby gear. 

My partner and I have been fortunate to have been lent and given a lot of items especially clothing for our first baby, due in March.  We’ve also purchased most of the other items we need including our buggy, second-hand from TradeMe.  Most of the things we’ve been given or bought are in great condition and to me, it just makes sense to re-use gear and save money and the planet.  Provided the items are in clean and tidy condition and are given a good wash, I have no issue with re-using anything unless there is a valid health reason not to do so (like the recommendation about not re-using mattresses and bedding).

However I was telling my sister-in-law about how lucky we were to have been given so much baby gear and she said when she was pregnant, she didn’t want any second-hand gear and everything had to be bought new.   

I don’t think it’s really a money thing – they are not significantly more wealthy than us, it’s more a philosophy.  I am interested to hear other’s views on this - are you the ultimate recycler or is everything in baby’s room brand new?  Do you prefer new items because of concerns about cleanliness/germs or is there some other reason?  How do you deal with offers of second-hand baby gear?  Are you forced to use second-hand gear due to financial constraints, or is it your preferred choice?

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  odelightful - on 22/03/2012

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  I am totally for second hand baby gear, My cot was second hand however purchased the mattress new (which ended up costing more than the cot). Majority of his new born clothes were second hand. I figured most newborns aren't in their outfits too long and found I thoroughly enjoyed washing and soaking clothes when I was pregnant. I also purchased a second hand Medela swing pump and just used the attachments I purchased from the hospital e.g tubing shields and bottles. My car seat was from a friend and does the rounds with who ever is preggers next with my girlfriends. The bassinet he slept in was actually mine roughly 30 years old woven cane bassinet still in good condition and I haven't seen one better. I did however get a new mattress for this as well. In short I would say I am a ultimate recycler with most items, but found when it came to bedding,towels,feeding equipment and or cloth nappies these items had to be new. Now that he has grown out of all his Newborn gears I contacted my local social services center to donate majority of his clothes to help those mums who can't afford clothes for their new baby especially with winter comming up. Alot of my sons clothes are still in very good condition and are also good quality brands. I do remember what it was like with my mum struggling as a single parent raising three kids on a solo income and how much she would of appreciated if some one donated their treasured second hand baby gear for her new born. I think if you can pay it forward, second hand gears are all good and if you can help another mothers baby it's not so hard letting go of all those cherished items it sat better with me to give his clothes and other new born gears away rather than sell them as I could not face putting a price on any of his stuff. However my Mum suggested I sell the clothes to go towards his next wardrobe seemed like a sound idea at the time however just could not do it.
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  Amy Papalii - on 15/02/2012

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  Second hand stuff is great especially clothes , i had always been told that babies grow out of clothes fast but i underestimated how fast , my wee girl is only 4 months old and wears size one clothes , if i had bought all new baby clothes it would have broken my heart to get rid of them , however as most of them were 2nd hand i didnt mind so 2nd hand all the way i say
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  Avalon_Willow - on 14/02/2012

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  Second hand is definately the way to go for practically everything. We need to save money but I love the labeled clothes such as pumpkin patch etc, To be fair for my first baby was more new than secondhand but now I even give secondhand presents depending on what they are. Like the other day I popped into a garage sale and they was a really cool motorized ride on barbie car for only $20, normally would cost way over $100 and on trademe would probably go for about $50 so I bought it for my daughter's birthday coming up. She is turning 1 and would not even care if we gave her nothing! In fact for Christmas all she got was a stocking from Santa from us and she would not even have received that except we have kids that still believe in Santa! I save the whole buying new thing for when I cannot avoid it or wouldn't such as buying underwear etc!
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  Noah and Isy's Mum - on 14/02/2012

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  First of all what a great post! I have to say that I love the second hand philosophy... although when we had our first I think I did buy most clothes new - I think there is a bit of a psychological thing where we think that second hand is germy, dirty and therefore inferior - but then I think of the things that I either sell on trademe or give to the op shop and I don't think of them in that way. I mean once you've bought new, used the thing once then it's second hand too! So now, second child in, in a lot of ways I prefer second hand and making things myself- I write a bit about this myself on my blog www.mendandmakenew.blogspot.com
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  Smallfry - on 13/02/2012

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  We didn't strictly have to have second hand things but it's so satisfying getting more for less. Going second hand basically allowed us to get the better quality items we wouldn't have afforded . Like a really good buggy and mattresses. I've purchased some great quality new clothes but happily received hand me downs and also grab those bargains from trade me like merino items that still have lots of wear and are very expensive new. Have also gone down second hand path for cloth nappies. Again getting great quality ones for a tiny portion of the new price. It does take time and sifting through but I just love a bargain! I happen to love older vintage things anyway so when we were given an beautiful old wooden bassinet we were very pleased. The nursury is an eclectic mix of futniture -some we have done up, handmade things like mobiles and quilts. Also choose to re upholstered a rocking chair for feeding and have splashed out on some beautiful fabric for curtains but intend to make them up myself to save money. We also hired our car seat from plunket and family are purchasing the next size up for us for the long term. We also shop at Mary's market for great bargains!
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  kandk - on 8/02/2012

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  A bit of Scottish blood here! We didn't have to economise, but it made no sense to buy everything new when second hand (or more) was just as good. All big ticket items we got off Trade Me (except car seats of course).