So my husband thinks I'm crazy for this but now that we decided to have another baby, I have decided to buy lots of 2nd hand stuff. With the exception of a crib, crib matress, car seat and stroller, I have been scowering ebay, craigslist and garage sales looking for "things." He thinks I'm being ridiculous because we can more than ever afford nice, new things. Here's my thoughts...if I can buy something I really want used and it's in good condition, why wouldn't I? Baby stuff (especially 0-3, 3-6 months, swings, toys and other things) are often barely used. Why would I spend $150 on a swing that I love when someone else used the same one for 3-6 months a handful of times and kept in good shape and they are selling for $50? My question is does it really matter that much??? I like my money and I know that we are going to spend about $50 - 100 a week on diapers, wipes, formula, and other misc. baby products so I think if I can save now, I should. Besides, this isn't my 1st or 2nd child...this is my 3rd one that I'm buying new things for (my youngest is 7). What have the rest of you done???
"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."
I see nothing wrong with
I see nothing wrong with second hand baby stuff. It frees up more money for the baby niceties instead of just getting the necessities.
I don't want to sound like the car seat police...but car seats shouldn't be purchased used - you don't know if it's been involved in an accident or if the straps have been submerged (weakens the fabric). I noticed your current youngest is 7...if that's the car seat you are using it is most likely expired. Most expire after 6 years.
You don't sound like the
You don't sound like the "car seat police" and I totally agree. I have nothing from my kids (I thought my daughter would be my last) and I plan on buying the crib, mattress, car seat and stroller new for those safety reasons :).
"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."
I only have my son, but I
I only have my son, but I bought certain things for him secondhand....the car seats and crib stuff were new, but I got a lot of other things like his high chair, etc from freinds or re-sale shops.
The only thing I had secondhand I wish I had not skimped on was my glider rocker - my husband had bought me a really nice one at Babies R Us but then my MIL and SIL came along and said he spent too much money on it and talked him into taking it back and buying one at a resale store. He saved about a hundred dollars, but the material on it was so scratchy that I never found it comfortable and I spent a lot of time in it....so I had to cover it with towels. I wish we had kept the new one.
I see no problem with using
I see no problem with using 2nd hand stuff. I too am expecting my 3rd child and plan on using 2nd hand stuff from the other 2. With my first child I went all out and bought clothes, only to find that he would wear the outfit once. And the same with my daughter. But they really grow quick the first couple months and I don't see a problem with 2nd hand stuff. But we too are planning on getting a new car seat as well, best of luck to ya!!
I knew when I was pregnant
I knew when I was pregnant that it would be our last child so I did not feel the need to buy brand new top of the line stuff because it only had to last through one child. I actually found it fun and a challenge to find good deals on nice stuff. Put the money you save in a savings account for the baby when he/she is older.
I agree totally. The babies
I agree totally. The babies grow out of it so quickly. Why pay 18.00 for an outfit that he/she wears once or twice, or swings, cribs, etc.
I did it all for my one and only child, but I see how quickly they grow. I bought from my girlfriend many of the 12 mth and 2T clothes that are in excellent shape. You would think they are brand new.
Everything cost so much these days. I think we should spend the extra money that we save on certain items and spend it on other things for the baby. We live in a beautiful home but I still shop at Savers for cheap toys and bibs. I just don't think we should spend full price on some items that last for a few months only.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
Second hand is great and
Second hand is great and environmental friendly. I'd bet if you mentioned to friends what you needed, you could get some of stuff they have ready to donate/consign too. They may assume you have it from your first and second.
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
The ONLY things I would NOT
The ONLY things I would NOT consider buying second hand would be things that could potentially end up in baby's mouth! Everything else, by any means possible buy second hand! Of course, if something like your glider would make YOU or YOUR BABY more comfortable NEW, and you can afford, then by all means, buy NEW! I am a firm believer in recycling, and helping the economy as much as possible! There is NO EXCUSE not to!
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My son is my 1st, and we
My son is my 1st, and we still went for a lot of second hand stuff. Only difference is my husband was completely for it. As you and everone else has pointed out, except where there's a concern about safety, the second hand stuff gets so little wear, that there's really no difference in quality over new stuff.
I bought A LOT of my son's clothes second hand (in fact the only things he has clothes wise that are not second hand are socks, underwear, swimsuits, and pajamas, and clothes that the grandparents send). He's getting to an age where he wears the clothes longer (doesn't grow as fast), and wears them out more, so I may have to start buying more things new. But in the past, I have bought an entire winter wardrobe for $50, and an entire summer wardrobe for $35. When clothing pieces are only $1-4, I can afford to buy a lot more, and my son has more things.
I do somewhat feel bad for son #2 that I am expecting. We already have all the "stuff", so he's not getting anything new LOL!
Not all that long ago, it
Not all that long ago, it was common practice for baby things to get passed around the family to whomever could use them, and we all ended up just fine. Today, it's second-hand instead of hand-me-down.
I suggest that you buy new things if/when you want new things; the baby isn't going to care one way or another. If you want a new crib, get one; if you just really care about a new mattress, then buy the crib from another Mom who needs the cash.
Definitely buy yourself at least some new clothes; you can make a less fortunate Mom-to-be really happy by handing those outfits off when you're done with them.
I'm a little old-fashioned, and consider disposable diapers too expensive and not so healthy. I am not judging -- just offering something to consider. At $50 a week over two years, disposable diapers cost $5,200. That and that, instead of rinsing the cloth diaper out in the toilet, you're sending your baby's "products" all wrapped up in plastic to sit in a landfill. I know that some people find it distasteful to wash dirty cloth diapers (all it takes is some Tide-free, a little Borax, and some unscented fabric softener), but I think that turning all the trash cans in the house into human litter boxes is ickier.
When I've had babies and toddlers to see to in my house, I've stocked up on second-hand items (I disinfect them, of course). I've never seen a little one refuse to play with a pre-owned toy or cuddle up in a second-hand quilt.
Since you're going to use formula, I hope that you'll invest in glass bottles and BCP-free nipples and pacifiers.
But my main point is that, since you're in a position to choose, choose what you want.