As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child, and this means you’ll probably do what every new parent does – spend a fortune on brand new products that you later realise weren’t worth it.
To help you save some money, here’s a list of some of the baby products that you need, but that aren’t worth buying brand new.
Rocking Chair
Lots of parents find rocking chairs to be extremely helpful in the early months, especially during those long night feeds when there’s a wailing newborn who doesn’t seem to want to get back to sleep. Putting a rocking chair in the nursery will definitely be a lifesaver, but it will also be expensive.
This humble piece of furniture can cost well over three digits, but you don’t need to buy one brand new. Many people get rid of rocking chairs after the first year or so, meaning there’s always plenty going second-hand, and they’re a fraction of the price of new ones.
Scour your local Facebook Marketplace or car boot sales to find yourself a good deal. If you come across a slightly worn one, simply sand it down, give it a lick of paint and add a comfy cushion on the bottom – as good as new!
Moses Basket
Moses baskets are an essential for newborn babies, but you typically only get a few weeks use out of them. Babies grow at a rapid rate, and that means they don’t stay small for long. Moses baskets aren’t very big and are designed purely for the newborn stage, so there’s not much point in spending hundreds on something that will only see two months of use at a push.
It’s understandable that you’ll want to buy something new and sterile for your baby, but second-hand Moses baskets can be completely stripped and washed to ensure they’re clean and safe for your baby.
Books
Most children’s books have been around for a long time, and that means there’s hundreds in every local charity shop, most of which are less than £2. Compare that to £7+ for a brand new book, and it’s a no brainer to get a second-hand book for a fraction of the price.
Lots of people keep their books in pristine condition, so you likely won’t have to worry about missing pages or graffitied covers, but do remember to have a quick flick through to double-check what you’re buying.
Occasion Wear
Some parents choose to baptise, christen or otherwise their children at a young age. Things like holy communion dresses and accessories and other occasion wear look beautiful, but they can be slightly expensive, and your child won’t be in the outfit for more than a few hours. This means buying it brand new isn’t always the best option.
If there is already a suitable outfit in your family, it could be a nice idea to re-use what you already have and create a new tradition.
Infant Toys
Baby toys are neither here nor there. You will inevitably buy your baby brand new toys, and there is nothing wrong with this, but don’t think that you need to buy absolutely everything brand new. There are lots of baby toys available second-hand, and some might even be free.
Your child won’t notice the difference, so as long as you clean everything and make it safe beforehand, you could save a lot of money. After all, it’s no secret that toys can be expensive.
Summary
There’s nothing wrong with buying any of these items brand new, but if you want to save money, there’s nothing wrong with buying these things second-hand.
