There is no one on the planet who loves thrift store shopping more than I do. Things are expensive, we need to keep useful things out of landfills and the thrill of finding them lights up my mind like a Christmas tree. If you’re having a baby, you can save some serious cash by buying things second-hand, whether it’s a thrift store, garage sale, consignment store, or Facebook Marketplace. Over the years of thrifting and researching for this site, I’ve learned which baby items win big second-hand and which ones you should definitely skip (no matter how good the deal looks).
Quick Answer: What’s Thrift Safe?
Buy used: clothes, books, toys, storage bins, nursery decor, curtains, humidifiers, highchairs, prams, prams, play mats and blankets.
Don’t buy used: car seats, cribs (especially folding ones), mattresses, breast pumps, bottle nipples, expired items and anything that has been recalled.
The golden rule? If it’s a safety item with an expiration date or hidden damage that could harm your baby, buy a new one.
What you should buy used
These items are usually safe to buy used and can save you serious money without compromising safety.
Clothes
This is the easiest win. Babies outgrow their sizes in weeks, so most used baby clothes have barely been worn. I once bought a $60 snowsuit for $3 that still had the tags on it. Look for stain-free items and check zippers and snaps.
Books
Board books get expensive quickly, but the more affordable ones work great and a little corner wear doesn’t affect story time. I built my sons entire library from library sales and yard sales for next to nothing. Here’s a great post on how to clean them too.
Games
Babies don’t care if the stacking cups are brand new. Make sure the toys don’t have small parts that could break, don’t have recalls (look up the model number at cpsc.gov), and give everything a good wash or wipe down. Wooden toys and basic plastic items hold up great. Lovevery, Haba, KiwiCo, Hape and Melissa & Doug are good brands to look out for.
Storage bins and organizers
Buttons, canvas bins, shelves – these are all perfectly second-hand. Babies create so many things to organize and the storage never ends. I try to keep an eye out for Pottery Barn storage because it’s usually well made.
Art and nursery decoration
Frames, prints, wall hangings and decorative items can transform a nursery on a budget. I found vintage alphabet prints at an estate sale that everyone thought I had custom ordered. Just don’t hang anything over your crib (I swear that line will be engraved on my tombstone).
Curtains
As long as they fit your windows and don’t get dirty, curtains are a great saver. Blackout curtains, especially – these things are expensive new.
Diaper bags
I see so many great diaper bags when I’m on the hunt. Save a sturdy one and save money on diapers.
Baby bathtubs
Plastic baby tubs are simple – no safety concerns as long as there are no cracks. Especially useful if you’re buying extra to keep at grandma’s house.
Changing tables and bedside tables
Solid furniture lasts forever. Just make sure it’s sturdy, doesn’t smell any drawers, and hasn’t been recalled. You can use a regular chest of drawers with a changing table on top.
Balls and blankets
Wash them well and they are like new. Avoid anything with stains or loose threads that could be dangerous.
What you could buy used
These items are technically safe to buy used, but many parents prefer to buy new for peace of mind. If you get them from a trusted friend or family member whose habits you know, they can save you money.
Humidifiers
Retail stores are full of humidifiers. I always like to keep an eye out for Crane models (they’ve been around forever and can be expensive). Ideally, try to test it beforehand to make sure it works and clean it well before use.
Children’s chairs
These get messy but are built to last. Make sure all straps and buckles work, the tray locks securely, and check the make and model against the CPSC recall list. Wipe it down well – dried food hides everywhere. Brands like Stokke are great to find on Facebook Marketplace.
Strollers
A quality stroller can cost $500+ new. Used ones often work perfectly. Check that the wheels roll smoothly, the brakes work, the belt is intact and the fabric is not torn. Research the model first to make sure it hasn’t been recalled.
Baby gates and wraps
If all straps, buckles and fabric are in good condition with no tears or fraying, the carriers are safe to buy used. Some of these tend to be lightly used before babies outgrow them. Keep in mind that there are baby carriers out there, so look very carefully to make sure you’re buying the real deal. I once saw a Wildbird Ring Sling at Goodwill for $4.99. I left it and felt like I was leaving a gem on the beach – I hope someone who knew what it was grabbed it.
Play Mats and Activity Gyms
Babies spend tons of time in them, but they’re basically fabric lined with hanging toys. Easy to wipe clean and usually in great shape, but give everything a very close look before you buy.
Nursing pillows
Check the label, but Boppy and My Brest Friend pillows are often washable. Check for worn rubber and make sure the cover is included or buy a new one.
Exersaucers and Activity Centers
This is huge and expensive news, but babies only use it for a few months. Make sure all parts are there and nothing is broken.
Baby dishes and utensils
Plates, bowls and spoons are well used. Just inspect for cracks or sharp edges. I often see virgin mats and ezpz bowls when I’m frugal.
Baby monitors
Sound monitors are used simple and cheap. Video monitors are trickier – test them before you buy to make sure they connect properly.
What not to buy used
These items pose real safety risks when purchased and used. I would save my budget for other things and buy this new one.
Car seats
This is non-negotiable. Car seats wear out (usually after 6-10 years) and if a seat has been in any kind of accident (even a minor one), it is at risk. You can’t see internal damage. In addition, many used seats lack instruction manuals, which you need for proper installation. One of my friends almost bought one "great offer" car seat at a garage sale until I pointed out that it had expired three years earlier.
End: If someone offers you a draft car seat, accept it, then use it at the Target Trade In Event to earn a coupon. They recycle all the seats they collect.
Swing
Modern safety standards for cribs have changed dramatically. Falling swings are prohibited. Older cribs may have lead paint, loose slats, or recalled parts. The material of the crib can be stripped or lost, making it unsafe. If you buy used, make sure it meets current CPSC standards and has never been recalled. Listen, if a friend is going to sell you her Snoo, that’s a different story, but these are the areas where I cringe if you don’t know the story.
Mattresses (Cots or Cots)
Mattresses can harbor mold, bacteria, dust mites and allergens that you can’t see or clean. They also break down over time, creating choking hazards. Again, one of our writers passed the Newton infant mattress on to a friend with no problems, but be careful with it.
Breastfeeding
The motor can harbor milk particles and bacteria that you cannot sterilize. The FDA regulates breast pumps as single-user items. You can buy new pump parts (gaskets, bottles, tubes) for a used pump if it’s yours from a previous baby, but don’t buy someone else’s motor.
Bottle nipples and pacifiers
These go directly into your baby’s mouth. They are pretty cheap new so I would buy them.
Expired formula or baby food
Never buy opened, expired, or improperly stored formula or food. I know it’s expensive, but it’s not worth it.
Helmets
Whether bike helmets or medical helmets for flat spots, you can’t tell if they’ve been dropped or damaged internally. A crash compromises the protection.
Drop-Side Swings
These have been banned since 2011 after dozens of infant deaths. If someone offers you a free one, refuse it.
Sleeping position lights and crib bumpers
The AAP recommends not having these because of the risk of suffocation. They show up at garage sales all the time – skip them.
Push-fit baby gates (older models)
Newer pressure gates are safer, but older ones may not meet current safety standards. Gates mounted on hardware are safer for stairs.
My Financial Strategy
I always look up the model numbers on cpsc.gov before buying anything with moving parts or safety features. I joined local mom swap groups where people would sell gently used gear for cheap. And I learned to move fast – the good stuff in consignment sales goes in the first hour.
The money I save on clothes, books and toys allows me to buy the important safety items new without the guilt. My kids never knew the difference and I probably saved thousands during their babies.
Bottom line: Save the fun stuff. Buy new for anything that protects your baby.
See also: Controversial Baby Products: Safety Guide for Parents
