Thrift stores can smell like old things and some people might be grossed out. Plus, it feels good to buy something that you know you'll be the first to use. There's something to consider, though. Many people are actually surprised to find brand new items at more than half the price seen at major baby stores in a thrift shops.
First time moms want everything to be special for their bundle of joy. But you may hear from many already-in-the-game moms that it's not worth buying everything completely new. It's not worth the price and quite frankly, it'll be used –depending on the item– the max three times.
If you have friends, family members, or friends-of-friends who know you've just had a baby, they might want to hand down some of their gently worn/used baby supplies. Either way, hand-me-downs or thrifting is basically the same thing. Below you'll find the do's and don'ts of thrifting from a mom who's been doing it for 10 years.
Do:
Clothes
Babies grow so fast it only makes sense to not spend a ton of money on clothing they'll wear a few times. When looking for onesies, pants, socks, make sure it's made of cotton –other materials may irritate the baby's skin. Buy what you wish, but if you're a first-time mom –take it from me– stick with onesies instead of shirts. The shirt will constantly ride up baby's back.
Shoes
Baby shoes will basically be brand new. Babies don't walk, so these items are mostly in fantastic condition. If your baby is walking, you can find them a pair of Nike or Adidas sneakers for dirt cheap! You can easily throw baby shoes in the wash without worrying. It's different than adult shoes, because who's heard of a baby with athlete's foot or fungus-infected toenails.
Bed Sheets & Blankets
These, like clothes, can be easily washed. If they looked too soiled then look for cleaner sheets without any holes. If you are looking at crib mattress sheets make sure the elastic part is still stretchy. Sometimes when these sheets are too old the elastic will become hard and once stretched, they will break apart.
Burp cloths could fall into this category too. Sometimes moms buy so many of these that they have no choice but to give them away unused.
Nursing covers
If you're breastfeeding and feel more comfortable covering up, these covers are perfect. They tend to be a bit on the pricey side, so buying them at a thrift shop is perfect. I can tell you I've purchased a new for $50. I decided I wanted more to choose from and found three for $21 at my local thrift shop. Now that's what I call saving! It was worth buying them, because I had them for all three of my kids.
Baby Bottles & Bowls
Personally, I'd recommend buying the bottle but throwing out the nipple. You can buy new bottle nipples separately. Bottles can be washed with hot, soapy water. You'll want to buy a bottle sponge if you haven't already. Then, sanitize it. Simplest way of doing this is getting a pot, boil some water, turn off the stove, and carefully submerge the bottle in the water. Careful not to burn yourself. You can buy one of these sanitizing bags by Medela. I've used them several times, but I prefer the old fashion way. It just feels like it's cleaner that way.
Baby's Room Decor
Anything from curtains to a rocking chair, can be found at a thrift shop. Take a look at the picture below. If you're crafty or have a crafty hubby, the cubbies can be built or customized. The rocking chair can be a great find –for your wallet. Just make sure all the fasteners, screw, etc. are there and that it's in good condition. Call on your inner Inspector Gadget and analyze that chair before buying.
I've found a nearly new, simple changing table for my third child in wobbly condition. The wood was in great shape and it was only $20! Hubby tighten the screws and I thoroughly cleaned it. We made sure it was safe and done.
Baby Bags & Bottle Bags
The thing with thrift shopping is it requires time and patience. You won't always find what you want and there's always so much to go through. In my years of thrifting, I've found many baby bags, but they look more like they were from when I was a baby. However, one day I was just browsing and I found a chic bag –no wears and tears. This was $19.99. I wasn't convinced, but I really liked it. My favorite shop gives out special discounts from time to time, on top of their already low prices. So, I went home without the bag. A day or two later, I got an email with 50% off my purchase. I went back, lo and behold, the bag was still there waiting for me. I grabbed it and bought it for $9.99!
Books & Toys
This one is a no-brainer. There are tons of books you can choose from and toys that have been barely played with. Baby board books are can be cleaned in a cinch. Soft plush toys are usually machine washable. Check the toy before buying it for any damage that it not repairable. Harder toys may also be sanitized, be sure to check for any broken, cracked or loose pieces. Using vinegar and water to clean a hard toy can be a good choice, so the toy doesn't offensively smell like bleach.
This is category you may also add play mats. These are normally safe to throw in the washer. If there are hanging toys, sanitize them. If any parts of this gear are unable to be removed and washed, take the time to wash it by hand.
Don't:
Strollers
Strollers are up in the air. They can be okay to purchase, but you need to use your better judgement. You need to thoroughly check the gear to make sure it isn't faulty. Some people will donate baby gear to thrift shops, but are not in working condition. I've bought a simple stroller for my toddler to keep at grandma's house, and it worked fine. There was another stroller I bought one time that was fairly new, but the wheel was bent. A few bangs later, to straighten the wheel out, it was strolling just fine. So again, use your better judgement when inspecting baby supplies.
Cribs
Although you can find cribs at a thrift shop, it's not recommended to buy them. The only reason is because of crib recalls and updated versions. Be sure to check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website. They let buyers know about recalls and product safety. Many parents whose child has already grown out of the crib like to give away the bed they've spent hundreds of dollars on. Even if the bed was a baby shower gift, parents find that it's better to donate the almost-in-perfect condition bed to someone who really can't afford to buy one. Just be cautious, try to go for something new and check for safety and recall issues. Once again, it's not recommended to purchase a crib from a thrift shop.
Car Seats
Car seats are another baby gear not recommended to buy at a thrift store. If it has be in a car accident –we hope not– it doesn't provide the protection it's meant to provide in its original condition. The CPSC I have to be very honest, I have purchased a car seat and hand-held baby car seat at a thrift store. They were in immaculate condition, though. The cushions and fabric were removable and washable. Once I did that, I was able to bleach the plastic parts. Because it's tricky to know whether or not these products are truly safe, it's best to spend money on a new one. My case was difficult at the time financially, and I felt I had no other choice. To reiterate, consider buying your baby's car seat new.
Bassinets
Bassinets go hand-in-hand with cribs. It's for the same reason. I have to say that my three kids used the same bassinet. Not only that, it was given to me by a mom who had two kids before me, who've used it as well. It was in perfect condition and easy to build and take apart. Nothing was rusted and the bassinet's dressing was well taken care of. Come to think of it, it's very rare that the bassinet would be damaged, considering baby is only in there for maybe 4 months. Again, because of safety issues, it's best to buy this new.
Pacifiers & Teething Toys
These are best to purchase new. Yes, you can sanitize these products, but once a baby's teeth begin to grow, there might be tiny holes that you may not see in said toys/pacifiers. They're fairly inexpensive. Need help choosing the best one? Check out our article, "How To Choose The Perfect Pacifier For Your Baby."
Sources: Definition.net, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Medela, Elle, Molly Maid