Best Baby Items to Buy Used
One of the first pieces of advice new parents get from other parents is this: don't buy everything new.
And it's good advice. Great advice, actually. But it's also a little vague, isn't it? Because the follow-up question is always, "Okay, but what should I buy used?" Not every secondhand purchase makes equal sense, and if you're new to this, it can feel like a guessing game.
Let us take the guesswork out of it.
Baby clothes — yes, absolutely. This is honestly the easiest call on the list. Newborn and infant sizes are worn for such a short window that many secondhand baby clothes have barely been washed. You'll regularly find onesies that still have their original softness, pajamas with no pilling, little outfits worn once for a photo and never again. Buy these used without a second thought.
Baby swings, bouncers, and rockers — yes, with a quick safety check. These are often used for a few months before babies lose interest entirely, which means the secondhand market is full of them — usually in great shape. Just confirm the item hasn't been recalled (the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website is your friend here) and that all straps and parts are functioning.
High chairs — yes. High chairs get messy, but they're also incredibly durable. A quick clean and a strap check is usually all you need.
Baby carriers — yes. Premium carriers retail for $80–$150+ and are often sold secondhand after a year or two of use in genuinely good condition. This is one of the smartest secondhand buys you can make.
Toys and activity centers — yes. Babies move through developmental stages so quickly that most toys are outgrown before they even get truly worn out. Secondhand play gyms, activity centers, and toys are almost always a great deal.
Children's books — yes, always. Books are basically indestructible (okay, not board books, but still). They hold up beautifully and make some of the best secondhand finds around. A $2 secondhand book reads exactly the same as a $12 new one.
Clothing through toddler and elementary school years — yes. The growth-rate math doesn't stop at baby stage. Secondhand clothing continues to make financial sense all the way through kids' clothes.
Now, a few categories to approach thoughtfully:
Car seats — use extra caution. Car seats have expiration dates and can be compromised in accidents in ways that aren't visible. We generally recommend buying car seats new unless you can fully verify the history of a used one.
Cribs — check recalls carefully. Crib safety standards have changed over the years. Before purchasing a used crib, verify it meets current safety standards and hasn't been recalled.
None of this is meant to scare you — the secondhand market for baby items is genuinely wonderful and full of quality finds. It's just about knowing which items carry a little more weight in terms of safety, and doing a quick check before you buy.
At Family Finds, we have quality standards in place so that the items you're browsing at our events are genuinely worth your time and money. We want you to walk out feeling like you found something great — because you did.