There is no one on the planet who loves thrift store shopping more than me. Stuff is expensive, we need to keep useful stuff out of landfills, and the thrill of the find lights my brain up like a Christmas tree. If you are having a baby, you can save some serious cash by buying things secondhand, whether it's at a thrift store, garage sale, consignment store, or Facebook Marketplace. Over the years of thrifting and researching for this site, I learned which baby items are total wins secondhand and which ones you should absolutely skip (no matter how good the deal looks).
Quick Answer: What's Safe to Thrift?
Buy secondhand: clothes, books, toys, storage bins, nursery decor, curtains, humidifiers, high chairs, strollers, baby carriers, play mats, and blankets.
Don't buy secondhand: car seats, cribs (especially drop-side), mattresses, breast pump motors, bottle nipples, expired items, and anything that's been recalled.
The golden rule? If it's a safety item with an expiration date or hidden damage could hurt your baby, buy it new.
What You Should Buy Secondhand
These items are typically safe to buy used and can save you serious money without compromising safety.
Clothes
This is the easiest win. Babies outgrow sizes in weeks, so most secondhand 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 fast, but thrifted ones work perfectly, 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.
Toys
Babies don't care if their stacking cups are brand new. Check that toys have no small parts that could break off, no recalls (search 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 watch out for.
Storage Bins and Organizers
Cubbies, canvas bins, shelving units – these are all perfect secondhand. Babies create so much stuff to organize, and storage doesn't expire. I try to keep an eye out for Pottery Barn storage because it's usually well-made.
Art and Nursery Decor
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'd commissioned custom. Just don't hang anything over your crib (I swear that line will be etched on my tombstone).
Curtains
As long as they fit your windows and aren't stained, curtains are a great thrift. Blackout curtains, especially – those things are pricey new.
Diaper Bags
I see so many great diaper bags when I'm on the hunt. Thrift a sturdy one and save your money for diapers.
Baby Bathtubs
Plastic baby tubs are straightforward – no safety concerns as long as there are no cracks. Especially helpful if you're buying extras to keep at grandma's house.
Changing Tables and Dressers
Solid furniture lasts forever. Just make sure it's sturdy, any drawers don't smell, and it hasn't been recalled. You can use a regular dresser with a changing pad on top.
Swaddles and Blankets
Wash them well and they're as good as new. Avoid anything with stains or loose threads that could be a hazard.
What You Could Buy Secondhand
These items are technically safe to buy used, but many parents prefer to buy them new for peace of mind. If you're getting them from a trusted friend or family member whose habits you know, they can be great money-savers.
Humidifiers
Thrift stores are full of humidifiers. I always like to keep an eye out for Crane models (they've been around forever, and they can be pricey). Ideally, try to test it beforehand to make sure it works and clean it thoroughly before use.
High Chairs
These get messy but are built to last. Make sure all straps and buckles work, the tray locks securely, and check the brand 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. Secondhand ones often work perfectly. Check that wheels roll smoothly, brakes work, the harness is intact, and the fabric isn't ripped. Research the model first to ensure it hasn't been recalled.
Baby Carriers and Wraps
If all straps, buckles, and fabric are in good shape with no tears or fraying, carriers are safe to buy used. Some of these tend to get light use before babies outgrow them. Be aware that there are knock off baby carriers out there so look very closely 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 diamond on the beach – hopefully someone who knew what it was snapped it up.
Play Mats and Activity Gyms
Babies spend tons of time on these, but they're essentially padded fabric with hanging toys. Easy to wipe down and usually in great shape but give everything a very close look before buying.
Nursing Pillows
Check the tag, but Boppy and My Brest Friend pillows can often be washed. Check for worn elastic and ensure the cover is included or buy a new one.
Exersaucers and Activity Centers
These are huge and expensive new but babies use them for only a few months. Make sure all parts are present and nothing is broken.
Baby Dishes and Utensils
Plates, bowls, and spoons are fine secondhand. Just inspect for cracks or sharp edges. I often see pristine ezpz mats and bowls when I'm thrifting.
Baby Monitors
Audio monitors are simple and cheap used. Video monitors are trickier – test them before buying to ensure they connect properly.
What You Shouldn't Buy Secondhand
These items pose real safety risks when bought used. I would save my thrift store budget for other things and buy these new.
Car Seats
This is non-negotiable. Car seats expire (usually after 6-10 years), and if a seat has been in any accident (even a minor one), it's compromised. You can't see internal damage. Plus, many secondhand seats are missing instruction manuals, which you need for proper installation. One of my friends almost bought a "great deal" car seat at a garage sale until I pointed out it had expired three years earlier.
Tip: If someone offers you a sketchy car seat, accept it, then use it at the Target Trade In Event to score a coupon. They recycle all of the seats they collect.
Cribs
Modern safety standards for cribs have changed dramatically. Drop-side cribs are banned. Older cribs may have lead paint, loose slats, or recalled parts. Crib hardware can strip or go missing, making them unsafe. If you do buy used, verify 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 get twitchy if you don't know the history.
Mattresses (Crib or Bassinet)
Mattresses can harbor mold, bacteria, dust mites, and allergens you can't see or clean out. They also break down over time, creating suffocation risks. Again, one of our writers passed along her Newton Baby Mattress to a friend with no issues but be cautious with this one.
Breast Pumps
The motor can harbor milk particles and bacteria you can't sterilize. The FDA regulates breast pumps as single-user items. You can buy new pump parts (flanges, bottles, tubing) 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 in your baby's mouth. They're pretty cheap new, so I would just buy them.
Expired Formula or Baby Food
Never buy opened, expired, or improperly stored formula or food. I know it's expensive, but it ain't worth it.
Helmets
Whether bike helmets or medical helmets for flat spots, you can't tell if they've been dropped or damaged internally. One impact compromises the protection.
Drop-Side Cribs
These have been banned since 2011 after dozens of infant deaths. If someone offers you one for free, decline.
Sleep Positioners and Crib Bumpers
The AAP recommends against these due to suffocation risk. They show up at garage sales constantly – skip them.
Pressure-Mounted Baby Gates (Older Models)
Newer pressure gates are safer, but older ones may not meet current safety standards. Hardware-mounted gates are more secure for stairs.
My Thrifting Strategy
I always searched model numbers on cpsc.gov before buying anything with moving parts or safety functions. I joined local mom swap groups where people sold gently used gear cheap. And I learned to move fast – the good stuff at consignment sales goes in the first hour.
The money I saved on clothes, books, and toys let me buy the important safety items new without guilt. My kids never knew the difference, and I probably saved thousands over their baby years.
Bottom line: Thrift the fun stuff. Buy new for anything that keeps your baby safe.
Also check out: Controversial Baby Products: A Safety Guide for Parents
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