https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 22:46:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53369 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:39:56 +0000 MsMini 53369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had people step up who were done having kids, and offer what they had that they thought we could use. Consequently, we have very little we need (just nursery furniture, stroller, car seat, feeding items basically). We just kept track of what each person offered us on a spreadsheet. We haven't actually been offered any doubles yet. What we lack once we total up all of our hand-me-downs, I will register for any other items from BRU. We will have more than one kid, so everything, new or used will get at least double use, and some of the items we are getting used have been through 3-4 kids already. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53364 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:33:10 +0000 T.H.O.U. 53364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Check with your local consignment stores. A lot have registry programs actually. In the end, I purchased a lot of our bigger gear second hand (bouncer, bumbo, boppy, jumper, pack and play, and some other smaller stuff) and then any gifts we got were all the things that couldn't really be purchased used. It seemed to work out well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53295 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:47:54 +0000 eudyptula 53295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks for all the tips!</p> <p>i can also see some people buying us new stuff as well, either because they think used stuff is "dirty" or because they don't understand the second hand registry. i imagine it will be like our wedding - more people bought from our more traditional registry than our honeymoon registry.</p> <p>i do like the secondhand registry idea, so i will definitely be saving that for when the time comes. we're still in the waiting to TTC category and hellobee is my outlet for my over planning baby fever (and keeps me from driving DH insane!!) hopefully at some point i'll be able to report back to everyone on how to have a second hand baby shower! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53212 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:03:14 +0000 BSB 53212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's a great idea but I can see some of my friends buying new stuff anyway. I always like ways that I can save money. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask for secondhand items. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53179 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:14:58 +0000 CameronsMomma 53179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a note on our registry that said second hand items welcome! I did get a lot of new stuff but I have two friends who are due about 8 and 28 weeks behind me, so I'll be passing along a lot of my stuff to them, and I got a ton of second hand things from my family. Our crib, video monitor, bedding, clothes, shoes, all sorts of things second hand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53178 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:14:30 +0000 yoursilverlining 53178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its a great idea. Baby gear is so expensive and gets used for such a short period of time. Another idea would be to check out your local freecycle and see what you can pick up there, and then edit your new-items-registry as you go, removing any items you find second hand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53156 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:36:35 +0000 looch 53156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What an interesting concept. I wouldn't have thought there would be a huge need for something like this...I mean, if you're going to be using things second hand, you're probably looking on your own or asking families and friends. I think it would be very strange to go to a shower and bring a bag of my son's gender neutral pajamas. I'd also be very leery of any gear that was received, especially in the age of expiration dates on car seats and recalls of drop side cribs and IKEA high chairs. Some stuff, you're better off buying new. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53081 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:29:45 +0000 tequiero21 53081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>that's interesting! we also think that the whole baby industry is milking us. and i hate the thought of having to buy TWO of each. ugh. maybe if you have a shower, the person throwing the shower can mention that you want used items, rather than buying new ones. so if your friends have kids and they have stuff they don't need anymore, they can hand them down to you.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53076 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:18:12 +0000 tlcbaby 53076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the idea of a second hand registry. I checked out the two sites that @eudyptula linked to and I think that would be a good place to start. You could create your registry that way and if there were specific new items you wanted you could link to those specific items. Or you could be more general for some of the used stuff. I am going to bookmark those myself!</p> <p>In my area, we have a couple of huge kid's consignment sales that pretty much act as a giant kid and baby store for the week or two that they are open. If you have anything like that in your area maybe you could suggest that to people as a good place to find second-hand items. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53044 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:13:58 +0000 eudyptula 53044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@owlmom: i like your idea of having a traditional registry and also asking for second hand items, and then if you get duplicates you can just return the new item to the store.</p> <p>i did some searching and there does appear to be a few online second hand registries, such as mysecondhandbaby and encorebabyregistry, but i wonder how they actually work out. has anyone used an online secondhand registry?</p> <p>i also agree that people can/should donate or resell used baby gear, but how often do you actually see it out on the side of the road on trash day? i feel like i see it out there too often, but that may be a regional thing. luckily there are more and more baby consignment shops and local baby swap list servs popping up every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53042 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:05:00 +0000 owlmom 53042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@eudyptula: donate it or sell it on Craigslist or a consignment shop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53041 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:01:34 +0000 eudyptula 53041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>good point Mrs Bells! but what happens when a family is done having children? maybe they have friends/family they can pass things on to, but if not isn't there a good chance it will end up being thrown away? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53040 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:00:57 +0000 owlmom 53040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never heard of a used item registry - interesting concept. My family and friends just offered me 2nd hand stuff, and I didn't put those items on my registry. If someone loaned/gave me something I already had new, I returned the new item. If someone offered me an item I'd already received second hand, I politely declined. We bought some stuff used as well. We don't plan to throw any of it away unless it's broken/ruined - we'll give everything to friends or donate it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53022 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:33:19 +0000 Mrsbells 53022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most people I know only have a registry for their first baby and then reuse the clothes and gears for the children they have afterwards. we plan to do the same. So I dont know anyone who throws they old baby stuff in the dumpster </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/second-hand-baby-registries#post-53017 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:07:26 +0000 eudyptula 53017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>okay so maybe i'm a bit earthy crunchy, but with every baby shower invite i get i am reminded of how much waste is produced by the "baby industry". it seems like babies outgrow things so quickly that so much their stuff ends up in the dumpster. similar to what happens in the wedding industry, soon to be parents are led to believe that registering at BRU, Target, etc. for all new items is "just what you do". Not that there is anything wrong with BRU, Target, etc, we plan to have a registry there for things that can't be bought second hand (pacifiers, nipples, etc) but for us we just personally like the idea of trying to reuse what is already out there - both for the green lifestyle and for the extra "green" it keeps in everyone's pockets! </p> <p>trick is, traditional registries are very convenient for keeping track of what the parents need and what has already been purchased. if you ask for more second hand or hand me down items how do you tell people what you want and avoid duplicates? has anyone used a second hand baby registry website? </p>