In most cases, buying used items is a great money-saving strategy (and is environmentally friendly). However, there are a few baby items you definitely want to buy new. Here’s a list you should consider.
Mattress
Used mattresses can harbor dust mites and funky smells. A mattress may also lose its shape, and babies need a flat, firm surface to sleep on [1].
Rubber bath toys
Between grimy bathwater and baby’s drool, that cute rubber ducky can become a hotbed of potentially harmful bacteria [2].
Toys with cracks, tears, and defects
Everything in your baby’s curious and active hands should be sturdy and safe. If it’s cracked, stitched up, glued, or mended in any way, your baby can tear it up and possibly harm themselves in the process [3].
Opened skincare products
Partially used baby lotion and diaper cream are a no-no. The shelf life of baby toiletries tends to be short after they are open, even if they haven’t hit their expiration date. They can develop unpleasant smells and sometimes cause skin irritation.
Every child’s foot is different, so not every shoe is appropriate for every child. In addition, shoes can be hard to disinfect, so if they have any fungus, it can linger even after cleaning [4].
Car seat
Even if it appears in good condition, a car seat can have cracks on the inside. Any defect automatically makes a car seat unsafe [5].
Milk pump
If a breast pump is not thoroughly washed, milk residues can remain in the tubes, and bacteria can multiply, which may pose a danger to your baby and your breasts [6].
