There's no doubt about it: having a baby is expensive. After buying a stroller, crib, clothing, feeding supplies, diapers and other essentials, your wallet can quickly empty out. It's natural to begin looking for ways to save money on all the items you need for baby, and one way is by buying used items. While some used items are good news for your wallet and your new baby, there are some safety concerns to consider; this is especially true when it comes to used crib mattresses. When buying a used crib mattress, you cannot be 100 percent sure of the care or abuse it went through while being used previously. An infant can be particularly dirty due to diaper leaks or spilled milk; all of these things can collect on a crib mattress and lead to moisture and mold growth if not cleaned properly. In addition, if the crib mattress was not kept in a cool, dry place, moisture can seep into the mattress, harboring bacteria and fungi growth. If you have a crib mattress that was used for an older child in your home, and you know that it was well cared for and stored properly, it likely poses no risk to your baby.
While the standard crib mattress is at least 27 1/4 inches by 51 5/8 inches and no more than 6 inches in height, not all cribs are made to these exact specifications and an ill-fitting crib mattress can pose a significant health risk. , a proper-fitting crib mattress should not have enough space between the mattress and the sides of the crib to fit two fingers snugly. A crib mattress should be firm to properly support your baby and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A used crib mattress might lose some firmness and could develop dips and bulges due to improper use or storage. Additionally, the condition of the mattress is vital. Do not use a mattress with tears, exposed springs or filling, or one that smells of mildew or dampness. In the November 2002 “British Medical Journal,” a study was published by Scotland researchers that provided a possible link between the use of a pre-owned crib mattress and infant death from SIDS. The study found that an infant was up to three times more likely to die from SIDS when using a secondhand crib mattress.
While the study did not find a firm cause-and-effect relationship between the use of an old mattress and SIDS, it did find sufficient evidence to warrant concern when accepting a used mattress from someone else’s home. Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week Things You Should Buy New for a Second Baby How to Paint a Baby Crib How to Convert a Crib Into a Full Size Bed How to Clean a Crib Mattress What Is Better a Trifold or a Bifold Wallet? What Is Better, a Money Clip or a Wallet? How to Turn Crib Into Toddler Bed Is Flame-Resistant Clothing Safe for Children? Safety of Crib Netting Safety Issues in Children's Clothing How to Clean Used Newborn Baby Furniture How to Use Breast Pumps for a Second Child A Hospital Packing List for an Expecting Mom
Things to Pack for a Baby When Going Into Labor The Disadvantages of Mini Cribs How to Arrange a Master Bedroom to Include Crib & Baby Storage Should Baby Cribs Be Slightly Elevated on One Side? Which used baby products are relatively safe bets—especially if you want to help save money and the environment—and which should you avoid, even if they’re free? Here are some guidelines from Consumer Reports and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), an industry trade group, for Baby Safety Month and beyond. This year’s theme for Baby Safety Month is "Green is the New Pink and Blue" and focuses on recycling or reusing baby products. But think twice before accepting any second-hand baby gear as not all products meet today’s stricter safety standards.Gently used baby clothes can be softer and more comfortable, since they’ve been washed a few times. And because children outgrow them so quickly, you can easily find used clothes in good condition.
But watch out for these hazards. Drawstrings and toggles, which can pose a strangulation hazard, and violate the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards. Sewn-on decorative elements, snaps or buttons that pose a choking hazard if swallowed. Loosely knitted sweaters, booties, or hats that can trap a baby's fingers or toes. Tight elastic bands on the sleeves, legs, neckline, or waist, which can restrict circulation. Sleepwear that isn’t flame-resistant (check the label).Baby books routinely make their way into babies’ mouths. If the books or other child gear are grimy, you can wipe them off with a mild cleaning solution. But most bacteria and viruses don’t survive long on such surfaces. So even if the book has been lovingly chewed, it should be safe to pass along, especially if a lot of time has elapsed since a baby played with it. When you’re safer buying new Consumer Reports tests cribs, strollers, and car seats and recommends many affordable models.
All of these items are better bought new.Of the more than 50 child car seats we test each year, some are easier to install than others. And while all seats must pass minimum safety standards, some provide more crash protection. That and continuous improvements make a strong case for investing in a new, top-performing model. If you do accept a used car seat—or simply want to pass one down from an older to a younger child—ask these questions. How old is it? Most car seats have a six-year service life, which accounts for possible safety improvements and for wear. You’ll find a car seat’s expiration period in the owner’s manual and on labels on the seat. If you can’t find it—or the seat is older than six years—pass on it, even if it’s free. Is it from someone you trust? You’ll want to know that the car seat wasn’t in a major accident. While most car seats can be reused after a minor fender bender, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing a car seat if it’s been in a collision that involved injuries, air bags that deployed, required the vehicle to be towed, or damaged the seat or nearest door.
(Telltale signs of damage to a car seat include cracks, loose parts, and worn straps and fasteners.) Has it been recalled? Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, the agency that recalls child car seats, for any car seat recall and defect investigation. You can also check the manufacturer’s website to determine if it’s been recalled.As with car seats, strollers have improved over the years—and some have proven to be safer and much easier to use than others in Consumer Reports’ stroller tests. So think twice about used strollers. If you do opt for a hand-me-down, get it from someone you can trust and confirm that it wasn’t misused or damaged. Check www.recalls.gov to be sure it wasn’t recalled. And if the stroller came as part of a travel system, check the NHTSA database for related car-seat recalls.In 2011, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned drop-side cribs from the market after more than 30 infant and toddler deaths from suffocation and strangulation and hundreds of incidents that were caused by or related to the drop-side detaching from the crib.