A friend of mine just had her first baby at age 44. While pregnant, she asked Facebook friends for ideas for what to register for and I’d never even heard of some of the items. I only had my sons 10 years ago, but I already felt out of the loop. I did see a lot of people commenting on what not to buy, and several people offered to give her hand-me-downs, to which I wanted to shout, “YES! Used baby products are the best!”
The pristine toys and clothes are nice to look at, but wow, is that stuff expensive. And the first time your baby spits up on it or your toddler draws on it with a permanent marker, you’re going to wish you’d saved your money and accepted that second-hand offer. There might be a stigma associated with hand-me-downs or used baby products, but here are 6 things you should rarely buy new for your baby or toddler.
1. Clothing
There’s nothing wrong with buying that cute romper for your little girl or the sneakers that look like mini versions of Dad’s. We played dress-up with our dolls for all those years; we should get to do it in real life. But new clothes for your baby or toddler should be few and far between because there are moms everywhere who are probably willing to give you their old stuff for free. This is especially true for holiday clothes. That Easter suit your four-year-old nephew wore one time? Call dibs on it now.
2. Co-Sleepers
Co-sleepers are expensive and so very temporary. Every family is different, but speaking for my own, we only used the co-sleeper for three months for my older son and two weeks for my younger. No sweat off my back though—it was a loaner from a friend.
3. Cribs and Crib Mattresses
This is one I wouldn’t buy from a stranger. You need to make sure it’s been assembled and disassembled properly. But if you find that person, you’ve just saved a boatload of money. I have a friend with a crib taking up space in her garage right now, so they’re out there. Just ask.
4. Tummy Time Mats and Walkers
I loved cheering on my little guys as they laid on their bellies to practice holding their heads up, and there’s nothing cuter than two chubby legs scurrying along like Fred Flintstone under a bright walker. But tummy time mats and walkers don’t grow with the child. Their lifespan in one home is short which makes them a great used baby product. Plus, the fabric is machine washable.
5. Cumbersome Toys
Big toys like play kitchens, train sets, and even bikes and scooters are great second-handers for a few reasons. One, they create a lot of waste, so most people don’t want to put them in the dump. Two, they are expensive. And three, they’re so big that parents whose kids are done playing with them are eager to get them out of the house.
6. Books
Reading to and with your kids is one of the best ways to bond and help their brains develop, so I’m not telling you to skimp on books—but used is the way to go, even for adults. I think every book cheers to itself when someone passes it on to a friend.
I think every book cheers to itself when someone passes it on to a friend. Click To TweetWhat used baby products do you love?
