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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To bring baby home from hospital in second hand clothes?

78 replies

Acunningruse · 17/08/2016 12:51

DC2 is due in 3 weeks and we have been given some absolutely beautiful clothes from a friends sister. Its outfits from Next and Jasper Conran which we would never be able to afford.
WIBU to use these for newborn DD as her first outfits? I know it shouldn't matter at all it just feels a little bit funny when DS haf all brand new clothes as he was the first.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 17/08/2016 12:53

Doesn't matter at all. My second DS came home in DS1's hand me downs. Dc3 will come home in the same babygro's worn by ds1 and ds2, even if they turn out to be a girl!

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 17/08/2016 12:53

Ds came home in second hand clothes.. Didnt even give it a second thought to be honest.

Vixxfacee · 17/08/2016 12:53

You will get told it is fine on here and it isn't a big deal.

I wouldnt put my child in secondhand clothes though. Personal preference.

Somerville · 17/08/2016 12:54

Second hand clothes are often softer because they've been washed more. It sounds perfect to me.

welshweasel · 17/08/2016 12:54

Of course it's fine! In fact I preferred a lot of the second hand stuff we were given to the new stuff, so much softer once it's been washed a few times. And let's face it, your baby won't remember it and it will only get pooed on or puked on! Mine came home in clothes that were far too big and wrapped in a muslin as my husband forgot a blanket.

Hygellig · 17/08/2016 12:55

I can't say I would have given this much thought. She's quite likely to be sick or poo on the clothes anyway. Is she going to be angry with you in the future that she came home in secondhand clothes?

SoloD · 17/08/2016 12:55

First child, it was new all the way,

Second child, mostly hand me downs. Children grow so quickly it completely sensible and green to reuse clothes.

roseteapot101 · 17/08/2016 12:56

i got some gorges second hand clothes when my daughter was newborn they grow so fast they are hardly used.I just popped the clothes on a hot wash before use.

My daughters first onesie was second hand and it was beautiful ,second hand does not mean second best.I would rather get high quality seconds than low quality firsts for clothes

i buy most of my daughters clothes second hand that way we have more money for things like fun days out

Original poster
Acunningruse · 17/08/2016 12:58

Thank you all Smile pregnancy hormones making me doubt myself! Question: the clothes have obviously been freshly washed before giving them to me, I can smell the washing powder and they are all nicely folded. Do I still need to wash them again? [36 weeks and lazyBlush]

OP posts:
Bear2014 · 17/08/2016 12:59

We brought our DD home in secondhand clothes and she has always been in mostly secondhand clothes. We bought lovely unisex stuff in advance from ebay and charity shops, and had hand-me-downs from friends. They were all freshly washed. I don't see the issue - I think it's lovely that things can be worn and enjoyed by more than one child/family and believe it's a waste of money and bad for the environment to have everything brand new.

Simpsonsaddict · 17/08/2016 12:59

For me, it's nice to bring them home in something special - so if you love the outfits (and it sounds like you do), go for it!

I put my daughter into something 'nice' to bring her home in, but came home at 10pm so she was only in it for an hour and then went into something to sleep in! So it was just for the photos really! (as good a reason as any)

NavyandWhite · 17/08/2016 13:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

megletthesecond · 17/08/2016 13:00

Yanbu. Both my dc's came home in second hand sleepysuits.

GoldPlatedBacon · 17/08/2016 13:00

My dd (my only child) came home wearing one of my nieces babygrows. I didn't even think that that may be odd

PotteringAlong · 17/08/2016 13:01

vixx why? Do you have more than one child? Did you just get rid of all their clothes when they'd grown out of them and buy new the next time around?

ThatsMyStapler · 17/08/2016 13:03

I'm positively traumatised by wearing second (third) hand clothes as not the pfb in my family, especially in my first year when I have no recollection

(seriously, it doesn't matter, why would it? The important thing is they are clean, and fit well, that's all)

DerelictMyBalls · 17/08/2016 13:03

I really wouldn't give it a second thought. It doesn't matter in the slightest. Mt DS is the youngest of 8 cousins and has spent much of his life in second-hand clothes.

UnicornPee · 17/08/2016 13:03

Anyone who says it's not fine is a snob and needs a slap

bobbinpop · 17/08/2016 13:04

YANBU but if it makes you feel bad, just get one newborn outfit yourself for first outfit/coming home. I'm using hand-me
-downs but love choosing baby clothes, so this is my plan too.

pudcat · 17/08/2016 13:04

Second hand is good. They soon grow out of their clothes. Don't be like someone I know bought loads and loads of new clothes for their and now they are selling most of them unworn and still with tags on. So silly. Second hand prams are good as well.

bobbinpop · 17/08/2016 13:06

To answer your washing question, I'm washing everything as I need to make sure it's non-bio and not perfumed for baby's sake and my own (allergic to everything!)

SwishySplash · 17/08/2016 13:09

DS (only child) came home in second hand outfit. It was just a baby grow but I still love to see the photos of him wearing it.

Ilovetea82 · 17/08/2016 13:12

My lo came home in a fourth hand suit thing, my friend sent it to me from Norway, i was so sad when he grew out of it.
We did have to do an emergency run to tesco for vests as he was a big one.
If you feel really strongly about having something new sainsburys have a 25% off sale this week, I really rate their stuff as being far better than next, m&s etc as it washes really really well and holds its shape and colour (I could afford to buy expensive stuff but don't see the point as they just grow so quickly!!)

nennyrainbow · 17/08/2016 13:14

Of course it's fine. How is baby going to know whether it was new and pre washed or second hand when he/ she sees the photos in several years time? Or are you worried what the midwives / hospital staff might think? I doubt very much they'll even notice.

cherryplumbanana · 17/08/2016 13:15

I would never buy second hand clothes from a stranger for my kids. I can't see any problem about them wearing hand me down from their siblings, cousins or friends however.

I always wash clothes before they wear them. Even if they have been given by a friend and are clean, at least I know which washing powder I've used. One of mine had an allergic reaction to a fabric softener, so I am careful.