Thousands of ads for baby items are posted every year on platforms like Vinted. The reason is simple: baby products are used very little and can be found at prices that are at least half the price of new ones. In addition to the economic savings, there is also an important environmental advantage. Giving a second life to strollers, clothes and toys means reducing waste and the production of new objects.
But be careful: not everything used is safe. So let’s find out what they are, according to the experts of the French consumer magazine 60 Millions de Consumersitems that should never be bought used.
Children’s products should not be purchased used
1. Car seat
Never buy a second-hand car seat. Experts are unanimous on this point. If he had an accident, even a minor one, he may no longer protect the child, and you wouldn’t know it. As Rémi Portes, co-founder of Yolo Baby, explains, the seller could be in good faith but not know that the seat has invisible microcracks. Plastic also ages and becomes brittle after 6-10 years.
Bottles, pacifiers and teething rings
These objects come into direct contact with the child’s mouth and may contain invisible microcracks, bacteria or mold. Better to invest a few euros in new, CE certified and BPA-free products.
Nasal aspirator
A bit like pacifiers, for obvious hygienic reasons, the nasal aspirator must be purchased new. The only exception? Models with disposable tips never used.
Breast pump
The breast pump is a personal hygiene device. Even when replacing parts that come into contact with milk, it is impossible to be sure that the motor has never come into contact with liquids. A real home disinfection is unrealistic – always buy new.
Thermometers
Rectal, frontal or auricular, the matter does not change. It may have been used on a sick child and not properly cleaned. Furthermore, the CE guarantee is two years: beyond that period, accuracy is no longer guaranteed. And the difference between 37.5°C and 38.5°C can be crucial.
Cot bumpers
Today they are not recommended by all healthcare professionals, both new and used. They can impede the baby’s breathing, trap heat and increase the risk of suffocation. The cot must always remain free of pillows, soft toys and bumpers.
Electronic and battery-operated toys
Electronic models are difficult to disinfect properly. Better to orient yourself towards the new, especially for the first months of life.
Shoes
The shoes adapt to the shape of the wearer’s foot. The soles can deform and, if reused, this deformation can affect the posture of the new little owner. Before the age of two, it is always better to buy new shoes to ensure correct walking development. Afterwards, second-hand shoes are also acceptable, as long as the soles are straight and the heel counters are sturdy.
What can you buy used
Some baby products can be purchased second hand, but they must be evaluated with great care. It is important to always check the stability, stitching and integrity of the materials. For example, slings and baby carriers must have intact fabrics washed at 60°C, while changing tables, high chairs, cots and travel cots require clean surfaces, mattresses without cuts or holes and solid structures without missing screws or cracks. Deck chairs must have harnesses and frames in perfect condition.
Devices such as blenders and baby food cookers also need to be carefully checked. It is very important to check the CE mark, that they have not been recalled and, if possible, replace all parts in contact with food, as older models may contain BPA or harmful plastics.
In practice, purchasing these items used is possible, but always requires careful inspection and thorough sanitization.
Choosing used items is a gesture of great economic and environmental responsibility, but let’s always remember that the safety of our children comes first.
