Buying 2nd hand

[Becathourus]

Hi my first post I'm not sure if this is the area to post my thread but basically we're buying the baby stuff second hand and some things I know to buy brand new (dummys, bottles...) But what about Moses basket?

Should I buy it second hand or brand new? Is there any health risk to the baby?

I believe the advice is that mattresses need to be new, so a second hand Moses basket would need a new mattress. Other than that I don't believe there are any risks, provided the Moses basket is in good condition

The recommendations are to have a mattress brand new for each baby. I had second hand Moses basket and washed it well. The mattress I bought new and it was around £12. www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/mattresses-and-bedding/

I second mattress but also get a brand new car seat as you don't know if it's already been in an accident or internally damaged.

Buying second hand is one of the smartest thing someone can do.

The only things we’re getting new is a cot and Moses basket and pram mattress and car seat. You have to be carful with some second hand purchases, for example check online recalls on prams/buggies/cots to make sure the one you buy hasn’t been recalled unknowingly. Also I’ve decided not to reuse a family cot as it has a drop down side, which has been linked to problems and are banned in other countries, so I’ve purposefully looked out for one with sides that screw and stay in place. When buying something like a Moses basket second hand I’d make sure it came from a smoke free home so there was no potential smoke residue on the basket bit that’s harder to clean and make sure you wash all the fabric inner bits. Also be aware of second hand travel system as our pram top we used with dd we now can’t buy a new mattress for so we are having to buy another one as I’m not prepared to reuse the mattress.

Also re car seats even if it hasn’t been in an accident they are only designed to last for a set number of years and if stored in the loft the heat and cold experienced in there can shorten the life of the plastic making it less effective.

@Reastie I had second hand pushchair and bought a brand new organic custom mattress. The website might come handy www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk/custom-mattress/

Mama sadly our carrycot has a weird shaped mattress that I’ve never seen before

@Reastie They make these custom so check with them as it might save you some money.

Thanks. I’ve been advised that buying a custom made mattress for it isn’t safe as they can guarantee it’ll be the correct fit (the mattress is a strange figure of 8 type shape) and if it isn’t a perfect fit it’s a safety issue. So knowing that I’m now too scared. I’ve been given another travel system which has seen better days but has at least got a carrycot that a new mattress can be bought so I’m hoping it’ll hold up for long enough. I only need it to last me through a few months!

Second hand is smart, just avoid mattress and car seats. My pram (travel system) is second hand but barely used - cost 1/8th of the original price as they used it for a few weeks (it looked brand new). I did clean everything fabric with a steamer and the cot mattress I washed.

Every toy you buy that’s fabric or plastic can be washed, just avoid the fabric ones you can’t remove the plastic battery container to wash in a machine.

New mattress but second hand basket fine. Tbh though shop around. We got a new one with stand in Aldi for £29.99. They have a baby event on at mo worth checking their website.

@Reastie I can fully understand your reasons.

The guidelines about mattresses is to do with what they are made of and whether or not they are sealed in a protective layer - most Moses basket and pram mattresses do not need to be replaced if you follow the guidelines as they tend to be sealed in waterproof fabric.

@RandomMess sadly if you buy second hand you do not fully know the condition.

Thank you guys for all the advice!

What's the reason for not reusing a mattress? Do you also need to buy a new mattress for your own second child? Given moses basket mattresses are probably only used for 6 months or so it seems a bit strange.
Surely it's just a piece of foam in a wrapper so pretty easy to check the condition?

A second-hand mattress increases the risk of SIDS. I don’t know if they know why, and the increase is quite small, I think, but it’s an increase. The risk is increased further if the mattress comes from a different household.

If it is possible to get a new mattress, it is recommended. If not, you should make sure it has a waterproof cover, I think. But the Lullaby Trust has more information on this, I think.