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The best reason to announce you're pregnant on Facebook? People start lining up to give you free stuff.
Because nothing takes up room in your house like baby gear.
But while you're wallowing in the money you'll be saving by knocking all those must-haves off your registry, here are a few hand-me-downs where it's perfectly OK to say "thanks but no thanks."
1. Breast Pump. Not only is the standard breast pump not approved for use by more than one mom by the FDA, the folks at Medela tell The Stir that the vacuum in the pumps actually wear down over time. So what worked for your friend might not give you the same suction as it did her.
2. Car Seat. Car seats are subject to recalls, which means it's hard to assess if an older model is safe. Also of concern: Car seats should not be used after they've been involved in a crash or if anything on the seat has broken. It's better to be safe than sorry, so skip the gift.
3. Crib. Because of the growing number of recalls on baby cribs, it's becoming more difficult to assess what's safe and what isn't. Also be aware that even a newer crib was disassembled by the first set of parents, and now you're reassembling it -- often without instructions. If it's not put together correctly, it can create a major hazard for baby.
4. Cloth Diapers. Sure, they've been washed, but uric acid can build up on the fabric. The National Association of Diaper Services estimates the average cloth diaper is only used 100 or so times (although it has great second life as a rag!).
5. Pacifiers. As these age, the rubber becomes worn and can easily dislodge from the plastic base, presenting a choking hazard to baby. They're cheap; buy your own.
What hand-me-down did you turn down?
Editor's Note: This article has been edited to reflect the resource for cloth diapering information.
Image via love♡janine/Flickr
Comments (52)
The more expensive pumps can be given over, though, since you can buy new tubing, and therefore nothing you're giving over has ever had anyone elses' milk touching it.
Cloth diapers can be stripped to remove build-up and lots of people use them through multiple children, and therefore friends too. ;) I'm not a fan of reusing the liners/inserts or AIOs, since I wouldn't pass down used underwear, but diaper covers or gDiapers? No reason NOT to.
Unless you're getting soft-shoes (which you should be!), pass on used kid shoes too. Not only can there be tons of bacteria, but they mold to the individual's feet and can actually cause pain to a new wearer.
Agreed, agreed with the carseats, cribs and pacifiers. I would assume bottles and bottle nipples specifically would go along with that.
Rana -- totally agree on shoes too. Too much bacteria. Even the soft infant shoes that are leather are sort of hard to wash I've found, so I avoided them.
Although slippers I have gotten as hand-me-downs AND handed down because I can throw them in a hot washing machine cycle.
I got a hand me down car seat for my first baby and I never thought anything bad of it. My SIL gave it to us after her daughter (5 months older) outgrew it. I guess it wasn't bad in our case because she was never in an accident and she is family. As far as buying a used one off Craigslist? I wouldn't do it because I wouldn't know the person, so there's no way to know if they are trying to sell you damaged goods.
I put our Robeez in the washing machine and dryer. Made them kinda weird/stiff, but after flipping them inside out and back normal a few times, they feel fine. They're probably about some of the only shoes I WILL hand down.
I have to disagree on the Medela. I had a Pump 'N style that I used to pump for all three of my kids over a span of seven almost eight years. It never lost it's suction. Furthermore those machines are too expensive not to reuse besides being wastefull to add to the andfill if they still work. I spent the $350 at the time because I wanted quality. Now Medela is saying their vacuum might leak? Sounds like their profits are leaking more likely through the second hand market...and yes, I resold for $180 and they bought all new tubing. I am sure I would have heard something if it didn't work well for buyer. Medela pumps are like Hoovers..they last for decades.
~Heather A.K.A. Scout
Shoes, pregger underwear & bras
Oh I have my friend's pump. It works just fine, better than the hospital one. I got new tubing.
On the other hand, Iwoudn't want someone else's Snoogle. WEird huh?
Ha, madfoot, I could agree on that one too. Who knows if she drools!
I understand about your items to skip, well all but one. I am assuming you have never used cloth diapers yourself or you would know 100 times is a myth in itself. I have used my coth diapers 100 times this month alone. There are many kinds of cloth diapers too. If youare speaking of the prefolded diapers well yes used prefolds and inserts should not be passed down outside of the family. I do plan on using the same diapers on all my children as long as they are still good and I would like to say my cloth diapers have been used for a year now and they absorb better than berfore!
I have a lot of cloth diapers, bought them both new and used, and have used them nonstop for six months. As long as they are clean and dont have any rips, stains, etc. they can easily be a great gift. A stash of diapers can cost $200- as much as you want to spend, so dont think you need to throw them away after 100 washes. Use them until they don't work anymore.