Dětské výrobky z druhé ruky

Our top tips for buying and using second-hand baby products.

Baby and a mum are shopping together. The baby is smiling at someone out of frame and the mum is looking at the baby. The baby has blonde hair, light skin and is grasping onto a baby grow.

Na této stránce

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.

Dad checking on baby sleeping in their cot with a dummy in.

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.

A parent is setting up the mattress in a cot. They are pushing the mattress onto the base of the cot.

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.

A baby is breastfeeding. They are clutching onto their mother's t-shirt and wear a light yellow top. The mum has the hand gently placed on the baby's head.

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 ne 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 syndrom náhlého úmrtí kojenců (SIDS).

Read more about sleeping products for babies.

Často kladené otázky

Which British safety standards should I look for?

We strongly recommend that any second-hand product you choose meets the relevant British Standards, especially if you are buying an item online. A British Standard tells us that the product has passed certain safety tests, such as making sure it will not fall apart or easily catch fire.

Safety standards for baby sleep products

Cots and travel cots: BS EN 716-1:2017
Moses baskets and carry cots: BS EN 1466:2014 or
BS EN 1466:2023
Bedside cribs: Since 2020, all bedside cribs should meet the new crib safety standard BS EN 1130:2019. Meaning cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down.
Mattresses: BS 7177:2008+A1:2011
Mattresses for cots, travel cots and cribs: BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021
Car seat: ECE Regulation 44.04 (or R 44.03) or to the new i-size regulation, R129. Look for the ‘E’ mark label on the seat.
Sleepbags: BS EN 16781:2018.

Note there is no safety standard related to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This means that even if a product meets the relevant British Standards, it won’t necessarily be safe when it comes to reducing the risk of SIDS.

Can I use upcycled baby products?

When a manufacturer designs a sleeping product, they mean for it to be used in a certain way. Using an item in a different way or for a different purpose, for example, adapting a cot and attaching it to an adult bed, could put your baby at risk.

Don’t use products that have adaptions or added decorations such as gems or fur. These might seem safe but can often pose a risk that’s not obvious, even if the product complies with British Standards.

Aren’t all products sold in the UK safe to use?

I am struggling to get the items I need for my baby. What can I do?

If you need baby items, you can get help from a baby bank. A baby bank is like a food bank but for baby essentials. They provide pre-owned items for children aged 0-5yrs to families who need them, donated by the local community.

If you are in contact with professionals, you can ask them to refer you to a baby bank. You may also be able to self-refer by contacting your local baby bank directly. You can find your local baby bank on the Baby Bank Alliance website.

A dad and baby are playing together with colourful blocks. Dad is smiling and the baby's tongue is slightly stuck out in concentration. The baby. Both have dark hair and a brown skin tone, and the baby wears a blue top.

Nezapomeňte na

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.

Každé dítě je v bezpečí. Každá rodina má podporu.

Pokud vám tyto informace pomohly, zvažte darování dnes abyste nám pomohli oslovit a pomoci dalším rodičům nebo pečovatelům, jako jste vy. Vaše laskavost:

Poskytněte rodinám důvěryhodné rady, jak zajistit bezpečnost jejich dítěte.
Podpora truchlících rodin v nejtemnějších dnech jejich života.
Financování výzkumu náhlých a neočekávaných úmrtí kojenců a malých dětí.
Přibližte se o krok blíže ke světu, kde žádné dítě nezemře náhle nebo nečekaně.

Darovat

Bezpečnost dětí

Safer sleep product guide

A guide to safer sleep essentials, products to avoid and sorting the science from the marketing

Read more