https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 06:52:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-144573 Wed, 02 May 2012 08:18:57 +0000 LuLu Mom 144573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agre with previous posters, I would just check to make sure there are no recalls and read the safety reviews, and I would use it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-144528 Wed, 02 May 2012 07:26:29 +0000 lavender 144528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are using a hand me down from my sister and so far no issues with it. We ended up getting a car set, 2 bases, and the stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-144326 Tue, 01 May 2012 20:17:44 +0000 sulli301 144326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bienlivingdesign: If it meets safety standards it would probably be fine, but I think if it makes you nervous, you should just go ahead &amp; buy a new one. Good lucK :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-144290 Tue, 01 May 2012 19:42:44 +0000 WiLLoWtReE 144290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We bought one that we will use in our cars and then we have an extra that was given to us with 2 extra bases that was in good condition and hasn't expired yet. I think it will be nice to have two just so I won't have to constantly take the carseat in and out of our car when someone else watches her. I haven't tested my theory yet but we will see soon enough. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-144098 Tue, 01 May 2012 17:30:03 +0000 Boogs 144098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bienlivingdesign: So exciting. Can't wait to see all your inspiration come to life. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-144016 Tue, 01 May 2012 16:13:13 +0000 bienlivingdesign 144016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: It's a girl! I have been adding things to the "nursery" folder on my computer for a few weeks now &amp; am starting to visualize it all coming together :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-143625 Tue, 01 May 2012 12:25:22 +0000 Boogs 143625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bienlivingdesign: I can't wait to see your nursery design! Do you know the baby's gender? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-143310 Tue, 01 May 2012 09:32:23 +0000 Mrs. Bee 143310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>if it were my first baby, i would have definitely bought a new one. </p> <p>but with baby #2, if a good friend gave me one, i'd use it for sure. you worry a lot less after the first year or so. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-143307 Tue, 01 May 2012 09:30:16 +0000 bienlivingdesign 143307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: HELLO! I remember you :) It's still one of my favorite designs &amp; the board picture is one I use for a lot of things!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-143018 Tue, 01 May 2012 01:12:57 +0000 Boogs 143018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bienlivingdesign: Congrats on your pregnancy! You wouldn't recognize me by my name here, but you a did a long distance design for me a couple years back, it was the Modern, Traditional with a Touch of Glam Living Room. ;) </p> <p>As for the car seat, since you are getting it from someone trusted and you have all the specifics, I would personally feel fine about using it. You sound like you have some great people in your life since you are being given so many great hand me downs. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-143012 Tue, 01 May 2012 00:52:36 +0000 808love 143012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did....I was satisfied. I got a lot of stuff secondhand from friends...so I was openminded....and then very grateful. But yes, use your best judgment when viewing the seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142943 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:17:16 +0000 cupcakemama 142943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used a car seat from my SIL. It hadn't been in an accident, was clean and had no recalls. We use it in my husband's car and bought a new one for my car - which gets far more use.</p> <p>Like pp I would totally use one from a close friend or family but absolutely not from a stranger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142507 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:16:16 +0000 T.H.O.U. 142507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bienlivingdesign: AHHHH I'm so excited for you and your pregnancy! Totally didn't know you were expecting, Congratulations.</p> <p>I would use it if its clean! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142500 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:11:42 +0000 Mrs. Pen 142500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bienlivingdesign: congrats on your pregnancy! September is a GREAT birthday month :)</p> <p>Along with several other pp's, that was an item I liked buying new. I was okay with hand me down toys, clothes, etc- but to me it would have felt weird using someone elses carseat. I mean, it sounds like it's totally okay - it's not expired and in good condition - but I guess I am a worrier. </p> <p>you could definitely still use the stroller with whatever new carseat you get. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142494 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:06:28 +0000 kokobee 142494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we used one handed down from my sister. i don't think i could use one from a non-family member though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142472 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:51:42 +0000 looch 142472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also check that it has not been recalled. In addition to that and ensuring the expiration date hasn't passed, I'd feel fine using it.</p> <p>If you can't shake the feeling, though, I'd just get a convertible and skip the infant seat altogether. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142367 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:30:31 +0000 bienlivingdesign 142367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great - thanks everyone! I think we will likely buy one &amp; keep this as a backup. We only have one car now but plan to get another in the near future. @winniebee: Thanks! I didn't make a big announcement about it. I recently joined the September Mamas post :) 21 weeks &amp; feeling great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142366 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:30:23 +0000 mrstilly 142366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since the carseat is not expired and is from someone you know, and I assume trust, then I would definitely use it. I would look over the straps for fraying, and make sure it's secure when you click it into the base, but there isn't a reason not to use it. </p> <p>I would never buy a used carseat, because you can never be certain of the history, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a carseat from someone I knew. It saves you money and reduces waste in landfills. And just wait until you buy a convertible seat. Since our travel system was a gift, we certainly had sticker shock when we had to purchase 2 convertible seats for DS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142360 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:26:03 +0000 winniebee 142360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bienlivingdesign: PS congrats on your pregnancy (-Erindesmar from Weddingbee!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142359 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:25:39 +0000 winniebee 142359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm using a hand me down carseat - a friend purchased a year ago and her LO is now too big for it and she doesn't plan to have #2 for quite a while. It hasn't been in any accidents and is the same carseat I would have purchased (Chico Keyfit 30) so we are using it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142353 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:18:52 +0000 BoogieBea 142353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our infant car seat is a hand me down from my BIL. It was also about two years old at the time. We used it for both my LOs. It will be nearing it's expiration next year but it has gotten a lot of mileage. I would not purchase a used car seat but since it's from someone I trust, I think it's okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142348 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:13:10 +0000 PBandBaseball 142348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally would probably buy a new one but I think that if your friend tells you it's been well cared for and never been in an accident, then it should be ok. I defintely wouldn't buy a used car seat from a stranger though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142345 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:11:04 +0000 banana 142345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as it's not expired and never been in any accident or has been dropped or whatever, I'm sure it's fine. But if you have a weird feeling that you should get a new one, I'd say get a new one. Mother's instincts are usually right and I would rather spend the money and get peace of mind than think about it and regret it later Plus, if you plan on having more children, you could easily re-use it again. A good car seat is money well spent. Plus you received so many things from friends/family (awesome!) that you might want to consider spending a bit of money and buying a car seat for peace of mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142306 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:34:06 +0000 heffalump 142306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're lending out our carseat that our LO used, and will be getting it back for our next LO. So it will be quite used, by us and others. I trust that my friend will tell me if something happens to it, if it's been in an accident, etc. So I'm not worried about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142304 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:29:51 +0000 plaidpants 142304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a used car seat from a very close friend. It was a little over a year old when we got it and was only used for about six months because my friend's baby was HUGE and outgrew it. I don't think I'd buy one on consignment or from Craigslist, but if you know and trust where it came from, I think it's fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142299 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:22:54 +0000 chopsuey 142299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the carseat is in good condition and meets safety standards I think it should be fine to use..<br /> I personally like buying everything new though. If you don't feel good using the carseat, i think you should buy a new one.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142298 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:20:21 +0000 MamaMoose 142298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as it's not past it's expiration date (usually 5 or 6 years) and hasn't had any recalls I would definitely use it. I would probably have the base installed at a police or fire station to make sure it's properly in place, but I would do that with a new car seat too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-use-a-hand-me-down-carseat#post-142295 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:18:30 +0000 bienlivingdesign 142295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've been lucky to receive many, many items from friends who have decided they aren't having any more children. Included in this is a pack &amp; play with bassinet, swing, bouncy chair, bath tub, boppy, activity mat, 3 huge bins of clothes, carseat with snap &amp; go stroller, etc. The infant carseat comes from one of my husbands best friends and is about 2 years old, has never been in an accident, etc. Common sense tells me that it is fine to use -- if she had another baby, she would have used it -- but I can't shake the feeling that we need to get a new one. </p> <p>What are your thoughts? </p>