If you’re a parent or you’re expecting a baby, chances are you’ll have been offered baby hand-me-downs from well-meaning friends or relatives – or even searched online to buy them yourself.
While it can be a great way of saving money and preventing products from going to waste, whatever the situation, you need to know whether it’s safe to use them.
Read on for more information on this.
Baby items that are NOT safe to use second-hand
Car seats
Car seats can be expensive so maybe it’s not surprising that parents might consider buying one second-hand.
However, it can be hard to know the history of it or tell if it’s been in an accident – and therefore whether its integrity has been compromised.
To the naked eye it might look fine, but even a small hairline crack somewhere within it could mean it won’t provide your little one with protection in the event of a vehicle collision.
Not only that, but second-hand car seats will have wear and tear that could affect safety, such as a harness that is deteriorating because harsh chemicals have been used to clean it.
Older seats might also fail to comply with the latest safety regulations and might be missing the instruction booklet that tells you how to install the seat and adjust it safely.
Wondering what to do with your old car seat? Here’s how to dispose of it safely and sustainably.
Buy a baby car seat with confidence – check out our baby or child car seats shopping check list
Cot mattresses
It is not advisable to use cot mattresses second-hand. Although the link is not yet proven, the Lullaby Trust charity state research has found an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when a second-hand mattress had been used.
However, our February 2021 survey of 1,878 parents who owned a cot mattress revealed that almost two in five respondents use a second-hand one.
While nearly two thirds said they bought a brand new mattress, over a third revealed that they’d used a second-hand one – and, worryingly, around nine in 10 of them had problems with it.
Broken zips or shrunk mattress covers, and a mattress that was sagging or indented were the main problems reported with second-hand mattresses, all of which could be potentially hazardous to little ones.
If you opt for second-hand rather than new:
Which cot mattress should you buy?
Bicycle helmets
In much the same way as car seats, you might not be able to see whether a bicycle helmet has been in an accident.
Therefore, if you’re buying for your infant – whether they’re riding on your bike with you or cycling on their own bike – it’s best to buy new.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recommends a helmet be replaced immediately if you’re involved in a collision or it’s dropped with enough force to cause internal weakness, as well as if it is starting to show signs of wear and tear.
Children’s helmets adhere to the standard EN1080, which is different from the EN1078 standard for adults, because the chin strap is attached differently to enable it to snap off during a collision to prevent choking or strangulation if the helmet snags. Check your child’s helmet to see if it’s made to this specific standard.
Most popular kids bike and scooter brands
Baby items that ARE safe to use second-hand
Buggies, pushchairs and travel systems
Research by Which? reveals that nearly two thirds of parents use a second-hand pushchair without encountering any problems.*
However, if you’re planning to do this, it’s worth being armed with this information:
The only part of a travel system you shouldn’t buy second-hand is the infant carrier car seat because you can’t tell if it’s been in an accident and is internally damaged in some way.
If you are offered this component as part of the second-hand deal, don’t be tempted to take it.
*Survey carried out on 2,021 parents with a child under the age of five in February 2021.
Top 10 popular pushchairs for 2021
Cots and nursery furniture
When it comes to solid furniture such as cots, changing tables and chests of drawers, it’s fine to buy or receive these second-hand, especially if they were recently manufactured by a reputable brand and bought from a trusted outlet.
However, RoSPA says that second-hand cots should be approached with caution because they might not reach the standards you’d get with one bought from new.
Although it should be fine to acquire a second-hand cot, second-hand mattresses are a different matter (see above).
Cot bed brands: which ones score best?
Stair gates
Stair gates are usually safe to get second-hand and you’ll find plenty of them in online marketplaces.
However, check there are no areas where the gate has become weak from being repeatedly shoved open or rattled by a determined toddler.
Try to buy a gate that still has the original instructions and fixings, especially if you have a screw-fit gate. If the screws are missing, check with the manufacturer as to which ones you need so they’re long enough.
For pressure fit gates, make sure that spare sticky pads and screws (if required) to hold the wall cups in place are included. If not, you’ll have to source replacements.
Whatever stair gate you’re buying, try to locate a sticker that indicates that it conforms to current safety standards BS EN 1930:2011.
Make sure your stair gate is safe and sturdy – take a look at the ones we’ve tested and declared a Which? Best Buy stair gate
Clothing
Chances are you’ll be offered some second-hand clothing for your little one or you might get it from an online marketplace that deals in second-hand goods.
Here’s what to look out for to ensure they’re safe to use:
Reusable nappies
These can also be bought second-hand, which could be a real bonus as the initial outlay can be quite costly. Plus using something second-hand that is already a sustainable choice is great for the planet.
If you can, check the condition of the nappies, asking for photos and a detailed description of any wear and tear if you’re not going to see them for yourself before buying.
Look out for fabric balding, where the velcro tabs no longer ‘hold’ as well as they used to.
You might also want to check how many children they’ve been used for – the more baby bottoms they’ve serviced, the less life they’ll have in them!
Best reusable nappy brands of 2021 rated
Baby items that MIGHT be safe to use second-hand
There are some categories of baby product where it’s not so clear cut as to whether you should buy or use them second-hand.
Baby monitors
These can be a great way of keeping an eye on your little one.
However, if you opt for a smart baby monitor model that doesn’t have proper security features, your baby monitor could get hacked and potentially pose both a privacy and security risk.
Also, if you’re buying or acquiring a device to monitor your baby, make sure it’s a proper monitor and not simply a wireless security camera – there are plenty of these being sold on online marketplaces that claim to be suitable for use as a baby monitor when in reality they’re not.
If it’s a conventional video or audio baby monitor, it should be fine to use.
Check our reviews to see our Which? Best Buy baby monitors
Baby slings or carriers
Baby carriers aren’t cheap, so choosing a second-hand one is a popular option for parents.
However, look out for fake baby slings and carriers. In a Which? survey of 2,021 parents with children aged up to five years carried out in February 2021, we found that almost one third of respondents had accidentally bought a fake baby sling or carrier from an online marketplace.
When they realised, almost a quarter got rid of the carrier or sling but, worryingly, one in 10 kept it and used it, while almost one in five gave it away. Only one in 10 reported it to Trading Standards.
Not all second-hand items will be fakes, but here’s what to look out for to help guard against buying a dud:
Best baby carriers and slings
Breast pumps and bottles
The problem with breast pumps is that although there are parts that may be removed and thoroughly sterilised, there are also parts that aren’t so easy to deep-clean, such as the charging point or pump mechanism.
Bacteria can still lurk, despite your best efforts to clean them away.
Before you use a second-hand breast pump, thoroughly wash the pump parts (in a dishwasher if possible).
Then sanitise or sterilise the parts by either boiling them for at least five minutes, sanitising in a microwave or electric steam steriliser, or using sterilising fluid.
How to buy the best breast pump
Toys
When it comes to second-hand toys, some are safe and some are potentially hazardous so it’s important that you check for their safety.
RoSPA says: ‘Although a toy may look pristine, the structural integrity and inner workings of the product might be questionable, especially if it has been squashed, bashed around and generally well-loved by a child.’
Here’s how to check if your second-hand toys are suitable for your child:
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