Buying second hand equipment

[philadelphiafreedom]

Some sage mumsnet advice please.

I used to work in the nursery department of a large retailer and was very idealistic about having new, branded products if I ever had children.

Now that I am pg, I’m just having a prospective look around Marketplace - there seems to be some decent sterilisers / perfect prep machines on there. Is this a hygiene issue? Obviously I would give everything a good clean but can anyone advise, please?

Are you in the UK? Prep machines new can be £60 at Asda. I probably wouldn’t buy one second hand as if the person hasn’t looked after it/ descaled then they can be quite grimey.

We did buy lots second hand though, steriliser was one. Just descaled it and gave it a scrub, it saved us about £60 I think!

Definitely buy second hand if you can. There’s no risk in terms of hygiene, I bought loads of second hand stuff at sales. Just wash everything and you’re good to go. You’ll save yourself so much money and you can sell on yourself when you’re done.

I Bought quite a bit second hand or was given it. Cot bouncer high chair travel cot cot bedding baby walker

New Moses basket, definitely a new stroller and car seat but second hand pram and travel system
I bought new clothes because I wanted them to last more than one child.
Some people have items that have barely been used.

Goodness no, buy away. I've got everything second hand except for the pram (gifted), Next to me (gifted) and mattress (on sale). Nearly everything can be washed/sanitised.

You'll find loads of stuff at significant discount AND barely used because babies outgrow stuff so fast.

@LetsGoChamp

Are you in the UK? Prep machines new can be £60 at Asda. I probably wouldn’t buy one second hand as if the person hasn’t looked after it/ descaled then they can be quite grimey.

We did buy lots second hand though, steriliser was one. Just descaled it and gave it a scrub, it saved us about £60 I think!

Thanks @LetsGoChamp I had seen that they were £60 at Asda - they seem to have some good bargains). Like you, I was a bit conscious of the inner workings being a bit grotty. I want to prepare for both bf and bottle so I’m not rushing around in case of any problems, but I’m just conscious of not buying something that potentially wouldn’t get a lot of use.

Ahh forgot to mention, the car seat was part of a travel system deal with the pram also that was new too.

I bought most stuff second hand. Clothes books, uppababy, microwave steraliser, cot, next to me, slide cube basically everything I can think of.

From a safety point new I got matress for the cot and next to me, car seat and shoes since he started walking.

@philadelphiafreedom that’s exactly why I got a new one. Breastfed for two weeks and when I couldn’t do it anymore OH ran down to Asda and got one but I do frequently see them in the sale there now. It’s the only thing that I probably wouldn’t buy second hand, except what is recommended ie new mattress/ car seat.

Anything can be sterilised with Milton! We’ve got lots of second hand kids books as DS loves them and they’re about £5-7 a pop for the ‘that’s not my’ or similar ones. We just give them a wipe over.

Lots of second hand toys now he’s older, again we just wipe over with anti bac or Milton it! One of the toys I wanted to get him was £75. Got it for £10 off marketplace.

Extra bonus, it’s better for the environment and means we can afford to put a bit extra away in savings or day out etc.

Thanks so much, everyone! I am going to have a look around for a few bits to save some pennies, sounds like I need to get stocked up on Milton

I don’t mind second hand stuff but feeding equipment I’d probs get brand new just coz I’d be a bit para x

I was given a lot of stuff when I had my son. I had second (or third) hand everything! He had some new clothes but a lot of hand me downs and always looked well dressed and cared for. And when the time came I passed them on. There is no need to spend all that money on new things that you might only use for a short time. People can't tell and your baby won't care.