What to Buy Before Baby Arrives: The Preloved Checklist
Preparing for a new baby is one of the most exciting — and overwhelming — experiences a family can go through. The lists of things you "need" seem endless, and the costs can add up frighteningly fast.
But here's something many experienced parents will tell you: you don't need to buy everything new. In fact, buying preloved for many items is not just acceptable — it's the smarter choice. Babies grow so fast that most items are barely used before they're outgrown or no longer needed.
Here's the ultimate preloved checklist for Australian parents — what to buy secondhand, what to buy new, and how to save thousands before your baby even arrives.
The Golden Rule: What to Buy Preloved vs. New
Before diving into the checklist, here's a simple framework:
- Buy preloved — anything that is outgrown quickly, used briefly, or doesn't have safety implications from prior use
- Buy new — anything with direct safety implications where you can't verify the history (car seats, cot mattresses) or hygiene concerns (breast pumps)
With that in mind, here's what to look for preloved — and where to find it.
Clothing — Buy Preloved
Baby clothing is the single best category to buy preloved. Babies outgrow sizes in weeks — many items are worn just a handful of times before they no longer fit. Buying preloved baby clothing can save Australian families up to $1,500 in the first year alone.
What to look for:
- Onesies and bodysuits (you'll need lots — buy in bulk by size)
- Sleepsuits and pyjamas
- Singlets and layering pieces
- Seasonal outerwear (jackets, cardigans, beanies)
- Special occasion outfits
- Swimwear and sun hats
At Daisy Chain Clothing, we stock a huge range of preloved baby and kids' clothing across all sizes — hand-checked, fairly priced, and shipped Australia-wide. Browse by size, gender, or brand to find exactly what you need.
Tips for buying preloved baby clothing:
- Buy ahead by one size — stock up on the next size before you need it
- Buy bundles — almost always better value than individual pieces
- Focus on quality brands — Purebaby, Bonds, Seed Heritage, and Country Road hold up beautifully secondhand
- Buy gender-neutral where possible — easier to reuse for future children or pass on
Wraps and Swaddles — Buy Preloved
Muslin wraps, swaddle blankets, and stretchy wraps are used for just a few months and are almost always in excellent condition secondhand. A bundle of 4–6 muslin wraps preloved costs a fraction of the retail price — and they wash beautifully.
Sleeping Bags — Buy Preloved
Baby sleeping bags are used for one season and outgrown quickly. Preloved sleeping bags are often in near-new condition and represent significant savings, especially for seasonal TOG ratings you'll only use for a few months.
Blankets — Buy Preloved
Cellular blankets, knitted blankets, and pram blankets are all excellent preloved purchases. Wash before use and check for any damage or loose threads.
Books and Toys — Buy Preloved
Preloved board books are often in excellent condition and cost a fraction of retail. Babies and toddlers don't care whether a book is new — they care about the story and the shared experience of reading together. Browse our preloved children's books collection for classic titles at great prices.
For toys, look for wooden toys, stacking rings, soft toys, and activity gyms — all excellent preloved purchases. Avoid anything with small parts that could be a choking hazard, and always clean thoroughly before use.
Pram and Stroller — Buy Preloved (With Care)
A good quality pram is one of the biggest expenses in the first year — and one of the best candidates for buying preloved. A well-maintained pram from a quality brand (Bugaboo, UPPAbaby, Baby Jogger, Redsbaby) can be purchased secondhand for a fraction of the retail price and will perform just as well.
What to check when buying a preloved pram:
- All wheels roll smoothly and brakes engage properly
- The frame has no cracks or damage
- Harness straps are intact and functioning
- The fabric can be removed and washed
Baby Carrier or Sling — Buy Preloved (With Care)
Soft structured carriers and ring slings are excellent preloved purchases, provided they show no signs of damage or excessive wear. Check all buckles, stitching, and fabric carefully. Avoid buying preloved stretchy wraps that have been washed many times, as they can lose their stretch and support.
Bouncer or Rocker — Buy Preloved
Baby bouncers and rockers are used for just a few months and are almost always in good condition secondhand. Check that all straps and buckles are intact and functioning before use.
High Chair — Buy Preloved (With Care)
A good quality high chair preloved is a great saving. Check that all straps and harnesses are intact, the tray is undamaged, and the chair is stable. Avoid chairs with cracked or damaged plastic that could harbour bacteria.
What to Buy New
For safety and hygiene reasons, the following items are best bought new:
- Car seat — safety standards change, and you can't verify the history of a secondhand seat. This is non-negotiable
- Cot mattress — safe sleep guidelines recommend a new, firm mattress for every baby
- Breast pump — for hygiene reasons, personal-use items are best bought new
- Dummies/pacifiers — always buy new
- Bottle teats — replace regularly and always buy new
The Preloved Savings Summary
Buying preloved across clothing, wraps, sleeping bags, books, toys, and gear can save Australian families $2,000–$5,000 in the first year alone — without compromising on quality or safety. That's money that can go toward the things that matter most.
At Daisy Chain Clothing, we make preloved shopping easy — every item is hand-checked before listing, so you can shop with confidence. Browse our preloved baby and kids' clothing collection and start building your baby's wardrobe today. 🌿
🌿 Ready to start your preloved baby shopping?
Daisy Chain Clothing offers one of Australia's largest ranges of preloved baby and kids' clothing — hand-checked, fairly priced, and shipped Australia-wide. Quality brands from newborn to size 10, with new stock added regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What baby items should I buy preloved?
Clothing, wraps, swaddles, sleeping bags, blankets, books, toys, prams, bouncers, and high chairs are all excellent preloved purchases. These items are used briefly and outgrown quickly, so preloved pieces are often in near-new condition. At Daisy Chain Clothing, our preloved baby clothing collection is hand-checked and shipped Australia-wide.
What baby items should I always buy new?
Car seats, cot mattresses, breast pumps, dummies, and bottle teats should always be bought new for safety and hygiene reasons. For everything else — especially clothing — preloved is a smart, sustainable, and affordable choice.
How much can I save buying preloved baby items in Australia?
Buying preloved across clothing, wraps, sleeping bags, books, toys, and gear can save Australian families $2,000–$5,000 in the first year alone. Baby clothing alone can save up to $1,500 — see our full breakdown in our guide to saving money on baby clothes.
Is it safe to buy a preloved pram in Australia?
Yes — a well-maintained pram from a quality brand is an excellent preloved purchase. Check that all wheels, brakes, harness straps, and the frame are in good condition. Avoid prams with cracked frames or damaged harnesses. The fabric should be removable and washable.
Where can I buy preloved baby items in Australia?
Daisy Chain Clothing offers one of Australia's largest ranges of preloved baby and kids' clothing online — hand-checked, fairly priced, and shipped Australia-wide. Op shops, Facebook Marketplace, and weekend markets are also great sources for preloved baby gear.