Baby gear can be expensive, but buying items secondhand is a budget-friendly strategy to get what you need. And since babies grow out of things so quickly (they’re only in each size of clothes for about three months!), going the secondhand route is also a sustainable choice—and you can often find gently used items pretty easily.

But before you start shopping for used baby gear, there are a few things to know, including what’s safe to buy secondhand, what’s not, where to shop and even how to add used baby stuff to your registry.

How to register for used baby items

Not sure where to start in your search for used baby stuff? You may not even need to go hunting through online marketplaces—you can just ask your friends and family for their hand-me-downs right on your registry. To let your gift givers know that you’d like any gently used baby items they have, your Babylist registry comes with a couple of options:

Check "Open to secondhand"

When adding any item to your registry, you have the option to select "Open to secondhand," which will signal to your family and friends that you're okay with receiving gently used versions of that item. (Keep in mind that there are some products that shouldn't have this option selected, like car seats.)

To select this option on items added from the Babylist Shop or items you previously added to your registry, click the edit icon below the item on your registry page and scroll down a bit until you see the different options you can select. This is also where you can label an item as "most wanted," make it private or set it as a group gift.

To add the secondhand option to a new registry item, you can use the "Add to Babylist" button and then just click the slider below "Open to secondhand" (like in the screenshot below).

Add "preloved item" coupons

You can add coupons specifically for gently used baby clothes or books, or you can add a blank coupon. The blank option is completely customizable, so if you’re looking for a specific baby product, you can use this option to ask for it. Say you want a gently used Snoo bassinet—just update the blank coupon with a photo and a description of the item you’re hoping to receive and add it to your Babylist registry.

Where to shop for used baby items

There’s no shortage of online groups and businesses where you can find gently used baby products. Here are our favorites based on how easy they are to use and search through and their reliability for safe, high-quality secondhand items.

Facebook

This is one of the easiest ways to track down used baby gear simply because of the vast amount of items for sale (literally millions). There are two ways to go: swap groups and Facebook Marketplace.

Swap groups, which are usually local to your area, are often run by other parents (you may need to get an invite from them in order to join the group) and are an excellent place to snag gently used gear and clothing at a huge discount. Your area might even have a “buy nothing” group, where items are listed for free or you can exchange for something you have. It’s worth spending some time searching them out on your own (try searching “buy nothing group” + the name of your city, or “baby gear swap group” + your city) or asking other parents in your area which ones they like best so they can invite you in.

Facebook Marketplace is also a great resource. It operates as a typical online marketplace where independent sellers can list items for any price, and it covers a larger geographic area than local swap groups. Shipping may also be available for some smaller items, so you’re not just limited to shopping local listings.

As with any online marketplace, use discretion when dealing with Facebook sellers—keep an eye out for scams, and if a deal sounds too good to be true, look elsewhere.

GoodBuy Gear

While there’s no way to guarantee the quality of the items listed for sale on some marketplace websites, GoodBuy Gear only sells clean, safe and high-quality used items—they thoroughly check every secondhand product they list for sale and make sure it’s completely clean and safe for your baby to use. You can shop online and get your items shipped to you just like you would at other major retailers. And once you’re ready to pass your baby stuff along, you can sign up to sell your items there, too.

Swoondle Society

Check out Swoondle Society for gently used baby clothes. Every item of clothing for sale has been thoroughly checked and cleaned, and they won’t resell anything that’s stained, smelly or more than five years old (so you can be sure you’re shopping recent fashions).

For $20 a month, you can shop the full catalog and trade your own kiddo’s clothes in once they’ve outgrown them. (You can still access part of the catalog without a membership.)

OfferUp

Similar to Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp is an online marketplace where anyone can sell anything. There’s a convenient section just for baby stuff, but keep in mind that sellers and items aren’t verified (though you can see if sellers have reviews from other sales).

ThredUp

This consignment and thrift site focuses exclusively on clothing, including shoes and accessories. There’s a dedicated kids’ section where you can find clothing for babies all the way up through toddler and big kid sizes.

Ebay

Another popular site for secondhand baby gear, Ebay has everything from pricier items like furniture, strollers and high chairs to smaller things like toys and diaper bags. There’s a dedicated baby section where you can shop products by category.

Baby gear you shouldn’t buy used

It’s possible to shop secondhand across almost all categories of baby products—but there are certain types of gear that require a little more caution.

Car seats

Looking to score a deal on a car seat? It’s generally not recommended to purchase a used car seat (not even the safest car seat), because you don’t know the seat’s history and if its safety has been compromised, like if it’s ever been dropped or involved in a crash.

If you are considering buying a used seat, we recommend only doing so through someone you trust to be honest with you about the seat’s history. The Car Seat Lady’s guide is a great resource to consult if you’re considering a used seat.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

Has the seat ever been involved in a crash, even a minor one? Has the seat ever been dropped, or checked during a flight (while not protected in its original packaging)? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then skip it.
Check the seat’s expiration date. (The label is often toward the bottom of the seat, either underneath or on the side.) Most car seats expire six to eight years after the manufacture date.
Make sure all parts of the seat are in working order. Check for cracks, fraying or other damage.
Check for any recalls using the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s database.

Cribs and mattresses

We don’t recommend buying a used crib or crib mattress. Both are held to very high safety standards, and those standards are constantly evolving, so buying an older used crib or mattress could mean buying a product that isn’t up to date on safety. Cribs also tend to weaken over time, especially after consistent use by an older kiddo, so the only way to ensure the structural integrity is to buy new.

Baby gear that IS safe to buy used

Thankfully, most baby products are totally safe to buy used, as long as you check these two major things first:

Check that there’s no severe structural damage that affects how the item is used (like a broken stroller frame or ripped carrier straps).
Check for recalls. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is the best online resource for recalled products, baby gear included. Be sure to check any used product through this website to see if any recalls have been issued.

Strollers

So many parents start their baby gear journey looking for the best stroller (and paying for one). Oftentimes you can benefit from a gently used stroller that may have originally been out of your budget. Before you buy:

Check to make sure the stroller was made in 2015 or after. That’s the year the US Consumer Product Safety Commission put new standards into place that require strollers to meet new federal safety requirements.
Take the stroller for a test drive and make sure all features (brakes, recline, clasps and buckles, canopy, etc.) are in good working order.

Baby carriers

Finding the best baby carrier (that’s comfortable and easy to put on) can take some trial and error—which is why they make ideal secondhand baby gear purchases. Just ensure any buckles or Velcro still work and that there are no rips or holes in the fabric. Also, be sure to wash them before using according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Playards

A playard can be expensive, and it’s totally fine to pick up one that’s been gently used. Be sure it folds and unfolds properly, the mattress fits snugly and that there are no tears or holes on the sides. Also, make sure it was manufactured in 2013 or later, as that’s when new federal safety standards were enacted.

Swings & bouncers

Large, bulky items like swings, bouncers and activity centers often end up for sale on marketplaces and swap groups. (Great news for you, since they’re often pretty pricey.) These items are worth it in the early months but are outgrown quickly—and parents often want to get rid of them to free up precious space in their homes. Look for models that were manufactured within the last few years so you’re certain they meet current safety standards.

High chairs

You can also purchase a high chair secondhand, but you’ll need to be cautious. Be sure the seat’s still completely stable, the tray is secure and the straps and buckles are fully intact to prevent any fall hazards.

Bathtubs

A baby bathtub is completely safe to buy used, assuming there are no recalls in place. You’ll want to clean it thoroughly before using it with your little one, and make sure there’s no mildew or other residue. Some baby bathtubs come with a separate insert for newborns, so double-check whether the bathtub you’re buying is supposed to include one.

Furniture

Nursery furniture can really add up, so shopping for used items is a good way to keep your budget in check. We especially love scoring a used glider, dresser or changing table; just be sure to check for any recalls and make sure everything is in good condition.

And if you’re looking to save even more money, you can broaden your search beyond nursery-specific furniture—you can sometimes use regular furniture in your nursery instead!

Bedding & decor

Bedding, blankets, swaddles and room decor can all be purchased secondhand as long as they’re gently used and in decent condition (no stains or rips). Wash anything that’s machine washable before using to get rid of any lingering smells and to ensure it’s definitely clean.

Clothing

One of the most popular categories to buy used, baby clothes are ideal for recycling since little ones often outgrow clothing before it gets much wear and tear. Seasonal items like buntings and winter coats as well as rain and snow boots are ideal to pick up used, since they’re expensive to buy new and don’t usually get a ton of use. Be sure to check all snaps, buttons and zippers before you buy.

Toys & books

Buying toys used helps your wallet and the environment. Just be sure to check for any loose parts, anything small that may pose a choking hazard or any peeling or chipping paint. Secondhand books are perfect for building your little one’s library and great for passing along again once your child has outgrown them.