Second-hand baby products – saving money and reducing waste
Using second-hand baby products is a great way to save money. It’s better for the environment too. Lots of families kindly pass on items to friends and family once their baby has outgrown them, which can be a huge help! However, there are a few things to be aware of before you use something pre-owned to make sure they’re suitable for your baby.
Things to check
If you’re gifted items from friends or family, it’s always a good idea to look up the products online to make sure they comply with safer sleep advice. If you’re going shopping for second-hand baby products, we recommend taking a phone with you so that you can do a quick check online to have peace of mind before you buy.
Here is a quick checklist to make it easier:
- Instructions - Make sure you can get hold of the product’s instructions. You can usually download them from the manufacturer’s website.
- Safety Standards - Make sure the product meets the relevant British safety standards. This should be stated on the product itself, on the product’s packaging, or on the website.
- Product recalls - Search online to check the product hasn’t been recalled or deemed unsafe. You can search “product recalls” on GOV.UK to see if any problems have been found. You can also see our list of recalled baby sleep products below.
- All in one piece - Make sure the product is in good condition with no broken or missing parts.
Plus, any second-hand items should come from a smoke and pet free home, as these can affect how clean the product is.
Second-hand baby mattresses
We generally advise buying a new mattress for each baby because research suggests using a second-hand mattress from outside the family home increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, we know its not always possible to buy new. If you need to use a second hand mattress, choose one that meets these criteria.
A second-hand mattress should:
- Have a well fitting, 100% waterproof cover
- Have no rips or tears
- Be in good condition with no water damage
- Be firm and flat (no areas of sagging)
- Fit the cot or Moses basket well, with no gaps
- Have a fire-resistant label on it.
Second-hand car seats
We advise you not to use a second-hand car seat. It’s not always obvious if a car seat has been in an accident and the damage might not be visible. Car seats are designed to protect your baby in an accident, and previous damage could make them unsafe.
Even if you know the history of the seat (for example, it’s from a family member), wear and tear over time can affect the safety of a car seat, so it’s still best to buy new.
What to buy
It can be difficult to know which products your baby will need and the amount of choice can be confusing. Whilst we don’t recommend specific baby sleep products or brands, we do offer some general advice to help you make an informed choice. This advice is based on the most up-to-date research on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Read more about sleeping products for babies.
Frequently asked questions
Remember
Second-hand baby products can be a wonderful way to keep costs down and help the environment, but there are some things to be aware of. Check they’re in good condition and meet safety standards, and follow the guidelines on this page to give you confidence when choosing items for your baby.
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Safer sleep product guide
A guide to safer sleep essentials, products to avoid and sorting the science from the marketing