Bare essentials for a newborn - help!

ZsaZsa

If you know anyone with young children, ask them to ask at their toddler group, its amazing how much stuff we all collect that just sits around waiting to be passed on to someone who needs them.

onlyroz

Mrs_Imp wrote: »

Why?

Our car seat is second-hand from a family member. I know that it's never been in an accident and is safe to use. If you know the background of the car seat, then a second-hand one is not an issue. Just give it a good clean and wash the cover.

Similarly, a well cared for, well kept and well cleaned mattress shouldn't be an issue, as long as you know its history.

Regarding the car seats, common problems with second hand ones are to do with the plastic getting brittle, or the instruction manual going missing, or not being aware of a product recall or recent changes to safety guidelines:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_car-seat-safety-the-biggest-mistakes-parents-make-and-how-to_64875.bc

Second-hand mattresses can increase the risk of cot-death:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2380873.stm
They will also not be as supporting, and may be full of bacteria.

chirpychick

We are in hardship and expecting a baby and carboots were the best places for us to get things like sleepsuits but also freecycle!

good luck to her

Mrs_Imp

onlyroz wrote: »

Regarding the car seats, common problems with second hand ones are to do with the plastic getting brittle, or the instruction manual going missing, or not being aware of a product recall or recent changes to safety guidelines:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_car-seat-safety-the-biggest-mistakes-parents-make-and-how-to_64875.bc

Second-hand mattresses can increase the risk of cot-death:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2380873.stm
They will also not be as supporting, and may be full of bacteria.

A well maintained and well looked after car seat will be fine to use. Most plastic products that are used for safety purposes (car seats, hard hats etc) have effectively a 'use by' date on them. If the seat has been properly maintained and is within this 'use by' date then there should be no-problem with the integrity of the seat. This is why I said that as long as you know the history of the car seat then there shouldn't be a problem.
Manuals can easily be obtained from the manufacturer, and recalls and changes to guidelines can be checked on line.

Most cot mattresses we looked at came with a wipe-clean, water resistant surface. The bacteria will not be a problem with these ones as long as the surface is well cleaned. We certainly haven't spent that much on a mattress for it to last just over a year and then get chucked away. Again, it's about knowing the history and ensuring that it's been properly cared for and maintained.