Preparing for a Baby on a Budget: What to Buy Secondhand (And What to Avoid)
Bringing a new baby into the world is exciting — but preparing for one can also get expensive very quickly. From clothing and nursery furniture to prams, car seats and feeding equipment, the list of things you could buy can seem endless.
Buying secondhand can significantly reduce the cost, and many baby products can have plenty of useful life left in them. But not every secondhand purchase should be approached in the same way. Some items are straightforward preloved buys, while products with important safety features need much more careful checking.
So, what baby items are good candidates to buy secondhand in Australia, and what should you check before buying? Here's a practical guide.
Good Candidates to Buy Secondhand
👕 Baby Clothing
Baby clothing is particularly well suited to buying preloved. Babies move through clothing sizes quickly, so secondhand wardrobes can contain items that have had relatively little wear.
Buying preloved baby clothes also makes it easier to build a practical wardrobe without spending heavily on every size — particularly for everyday basics, seasonal clothing and special-occasion pieces that may only be worn occasionally.
If you're unsure what sizes you'll need, see our Australian baby clothing size guide, which explains sizes from premature and newborn through to toddler sizes using approximate age, height and weight.
📚 Books
Baby and children's books can be excellent secondhand purchases. Board books and picture books can often be passed through several families before reaching the end of their useful life.
Check that pages are intact, there is no mould or significant water damage, and any interactive components are still securely attached.
🧸 Toys
Many toys can also be bought secondhand, but suitability depends on the individual toy. Look for sturdy, age-appropriate toys in good condition and check carefully for loose or damaged parts.
For babies and young children in particular, be alert to small parts and accessible button batteries. Check product recalls where relevant and clean secondhand toys appropriately before use.
🧺 Nursery Storage and Décor
Storage baskets, shelving, nursery décor and other non-safety-critical accessories can be sensible secondhand purchases. Check their condition and stability, particularly with furniture that could topple once a child becomes mobile.
Baby Items You Can Buy Secondhand — But Need to Check Carefully
Products with safety features require a different approach. Buying secondhand isn't necessarily unsafe, but you need to know what you're buying, check its condition and make sure it meets applicable Australian requirements.
🛏️ Cots
A secondhand cot can be an option, but safety should come before price. Check that the cot hasn't been recalled, meets current Australian mandatory standards, has all of its parts in good working order and includes the instructions needed for safe assembly and use.
Don't improvise replacement parts or modify the cot. Use only a mattress of the size and thickness designed for that particular cot.
🛏️ Cot Mattresses
A cot mattress does not automatically have to be new simply because it has been used by another baby. What matters is whether it remains suitable and safe.
A secondhand mattress should be clean, firm, flat, in good condition and fit the cot correctly. Don't use a mattress that is damaged, sagging or doesn't fit the cot as intended.
🚗 Car Seats and Capsules
Secondhand car seats require particularly careful checking because their history matters.
If you're considering a secondhand or borrowed car seat, check that it:
- hasn't been recalled
- meets the current Australian mandatory standard
- is appropriate for your child's size and age and suitable for your vehicle
- includes the instructions for correct assembly and use
- has no cracks, broken buckles, frayed straps or other damage
- has all parts in good working order
- has never been involved in a car accident
- is no more than 10 years old
If you can't establish the seat's history, condition or age, don't buy or use it.
👶 Prams and Strollers
A secondhand pram or stroller can represent a substantial saving, but check more than its appearance. Make sure it hasn't been recalled, meets the applicable mandatory standard, includes instructions for safe assembly and use, and has all parts in good working order.
Pay particular attention to the harness, brakes, locking and folding mechanisms, wheels and frame.
🤱 Baby Carriers, Wraps and Slings
When considering a secondhand carrier, wrap or sling, inspect it carefully for damage and wear and make sure you have the instructions for correct use. Check buckles, straps, stitching and fabric, and make sure the product is appropriate for your baby's age, size and development.
🍽️ High Chairs
Secondhand high chairs can also be considered. Check that the chair hasn't been recalled, has all parts in good working order and includes instructions for safe assembly and use.
Pay particular attention to stability and the restraint system. A secure five-point harness provides the highest level of restraint.
🪑 Bouncers and Rockers
If you're considering a secondhand bouncer or rocker, check its condition carefully, make sure all restraints and other components work correctly, check for recalls and follow the manufacturer's instructions and age or weight limits.
An Important Note About Baby Sleep
Some baby products are designed for transport, play or soothing — not for routine sleep.
Car seats, prams and strollers, baby carriers, wraps and slings, bouncers, rockers and swings are not considered safe sleep environments. If your baby falls asleep in one of these products, follow current Australian safe-sleep guidance and move them to an appropriate safe sleeping environment as soon as practicable.
For sleep, follow current safe-sleep guidance and use an appropriate cot, bassinet or cradle with a flat, firm and level sleep surface.
Items That Are Often More Practical to Buy New
There are some relatively inexpensive personal-use or hygiene items where buying new is generally the simpler choice.
🍼 Bottle Teats and Dummies
Teats and dummies deteriorate with use and are inexpensive to replace, so buying these new avoids uncertainty about their age, condition and previous use.
🍼 Feeding and Pump Components
Breast pumps vary considerably in design, so don't assume every pump can safely or hygienically be shared between users. If considering a secondhand pump, check the manufacturer's guidance for that specific model and replace personal-use components where required.
For bottles and other feeding equipment, inspect condition carefully and follow current cleaning and sterilising guidance appropriate to your baby's age.
🪖 Helmets and Impact-Safety Equipment
For products whose protective performance can be affected by a previous impact, knowing the product's history is critical. If you can't reliably establish that history and confirm the product remains suitable for use, buying new is the safer and simpler option.
A Simple Rule for Buying Baby Products Secondhand
The more important a product's safety features are, the more information you need before buying it secondhand.
- Check for recalls — don't assume an older product is still considered safe
- Check applicable Australian standards — particularly for regulated baby products
- Get the instructions — correct assembly and use matter
- Inspect the item carefully — look for damage, missing parts, wear and previous repairs
- Ask about its history — especially for products such as car seats
- Don't buy if you're unsure — saving money isn't worthwhile when you can't establish that a safety-critical product is suitable for use
Where to Find Secondhand Baby Items in Australia
Different secondhand channels suit different products. Options include specialist preloved retailers, op shops, Facebook Marketplace and local Buy/Swap/Sell groups, as well as friends and family passing on items their children have outgrown.
For safety-critical products, don't rely solely on a seller's description. Ask questions, inspect the product carefully and check relevant Australian product-safety information and recalls yourself.
For clothing, Daisy Chain Clothing offers a large online selection of preloved baby and children's clothing, with each item individually checked before listing and shipping available Australia-wide.
How Much Can Buying Secondhand Save?
The amount depends on what you buy, the brands you choose and how much you source secondhand. Clothing is one area where the savings can accumulate quickly because babies move through multiple sizes during their first year.
We've looked at this question in much more detail — including actual wardrobe costs — in our guide to how much you can save buying secondhand for your baby's first year.
🌿 Building your baby's wardrobe?
Browse Daisy Chain Clothing's preloved baby and children's clothing — individually checked, fairly priced and shipped Australia-wide. Buying preloved can make it easier to build a practical wardrobe across the sizes your baby will need without buying everything new.
Frequently Asked Questions
What baby items are good to buy secondhand?
Baby clothing, books and many toys and nursery accessories can be good candidates for buying secondhand. Products with important safety features — including cots, car seats, prams and high chairs — can also be considered secondhand, but require more careful checks for recalls, applicable safety standards, condition, instructions and product history.
Is it safe to buy a secondhand car seat in Australia?
A secondhand car seat can be considered if it hasn't been recalled, meets the current mandatory standard, is appropriate for your child and vehicle, is in good working condition, has its instructions, has never been involved in a crash and is no more than 10 years old. Don't use a secondhand seat if you're unsure about its history, condition or age.
Can you use a secondhand cot mattress for a baby?
A mattress doesn't automatically need to be new because another baby has used it. It should be clean, firm, flat, in good condition and the correct size and thickness for the cot. Don't use a damaged, sagging or incorrectly fitting mattress.
Is it safe to buy a secondhand cot in Australia?
A secondhand cot can be used if it hasn't been recalled, meets the current Australian mandatory standards, has all parts in good working order and includes the instructions needed for safe assembly and use. Use only the mattress size and thickness designed for that cot.
Is it safe to buy a secondhand pram or stroller?
A secondhand pram or stroller can be considered if it hasn't been recalled, meets the applicable mandatory standard, includes instructions and all parts are in good working order. Check the harness, brakes, wheels, frame and folding and locking mechanisms carefully.
Where can I buy preloved baby clothes in Australia?
Parents can buy preloved baby clothing through specialist secondhand retailers, op shops, online marketplaces and local Buy/Swap/Sell groups. Daisy Chain Clothing offers an extensive online range of preloved baby and children's clothing, individually checked and shipped Australia-wide.