My daughter just turned five, so my husband and I are well past the newborn phase — or so I thought.
After a couple of moves and several attempts to declutter our garage, only one piece of baby gear survived from my daughter’s infancy: the stroller.
When I discovered I was expecting again, I reacted like many first-time-with-a-second parents do: I freaked out a little.
Those first-year necessities really pile up fast.
With our new arrival approaching, I set out to purchase eco-conscious, BPA-free, phthalate-free, non-toxic items without spending a fortune.
Unlike my first pregnancy, when I added everything to a registry and hoped others would foot the bill, I realized some baby products are worth buying pre-owned.
To snag affordable baby gear and save nearly $800 on high-end brands such as Stokke and Baby Bjorn, I shopped secondhand on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and even the return rack at Buy Buy Baby.
Altogether, I spent $310 scouring secondhand sources for baby essentials — a tiny fraction compared with the $1,122 price tag I would have paid buying everything new.
My Craigslist Jackpot
Stokke Tripp Trapp Highchair, retail value: $249
Purchase Price: $50
The Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair was on the top of my wishlist. Its European styling appealed to me, but the steep retail cost gave me pause. A few weeks into my search I spotted a Craigslist listing priced at $200.
That felt a little high, but it was a chair I was willing to invest in. I offered $160 and the seller held firm at $190, so I reluctantly backed out. Patience pays off when hunting bargains.
On a trip to Sarasota to visit family — about two hours from our Orlando home — I found the same chair on Craigslist from a local mom asking just $50.
Bingo — $200 saved.
Must-Haves from Facebook Marketplace
Baby Bjorn Balance Bouncer, retail value:$168.99
Purchase price: $40 (Bonus: included Googly Eye Toy Bar, retail value:$59.99)
With our first child we had an electric swing, but I didn’t want to spend $150+ on something bulky and short-lived. A simple, compact used bouncer was my minimalist, budget-friendly alternative.
I spotted a gently-used one listed for $60 on Facebook Marketplace, and it included the Googly Eye Toy Bar. Because it had been posted for a while, I guessed the seller might accept a lower offer.
My $40 offer was accepted. Always worth asking for a better price!
Baby Bjorn Carrier Original in Dark Blue, retail value:$79.99
Purchase Price: $10
This was an absolute steal — $10 for a carrier in excellent condition with no stains or tears. That’s about $70 saved. Amazing value.
Primo Infant Bath Tub, retail value:$24.99
Purchase price: $10
Bathtubs are perfect for buying secondhand. I found a nearly-new tub listed for $15, but my $10 offer was accepted. It pays to ask!
Ubbi Diaper Pail in White, retail value:$69.99
Purchase price: $25
A mom near Cocoa Beach listed an Ubbi Diaper Pail on Facebook Marketplace. She was passing through Orlando, so we met at a Whole Foods parking lot off I-4 to complete the sale. I prefer this steel pail since it’s less likely to trap odors the way plastic does, and it fits my goal of minimizing plastic/BPA exposure.
Baby Bjorn Cradle, retail value:$349
Purchase price: $80
My biggest score came later. With frequent nighttime feedings and diaper changes, a bassinet at our bedside is essential.
I initially tried to buy a like-new cradle for $200 on Facebook Marketplace. That was $150 off retail — a solid deal, but not spectacular. I scheduled the pick-up but kept looking for a better offer.
That evening I found another listing at $80. A few extra searches saved me $289. Persistence wins again!
Treasure Hunting in the Return Section
Return, clearance and open-box areas at baby retailers (think Target, Walmart and similar stores) can yield excellent bargains. At the Buy Buy Baby near me, the returns rack was positioned right at the front of the store.
Skip Hop Explore & More Activity Center, retail value:$119.99
Purchase price: $95
Aside from online secondhand searches, I inspected the return area at my local Buy Buy Baby and walked away $25 richer compared with buying that item new.
Return sections differ by store, so ask an employee where to find them. Just avoid impulse buys — only grab discounted baby gear you truly need.
When a Bargain Isn’t One
A quick warning: I once ordered an Ubbi diaper pail from Mercari.com and the item delivered didn’t match the seller’s description or the listing photos. Mercari provided a return shipping label and issued a full refund.
There’s no denying it: preparing for a newborn is costly. But the few hours I spent browsing listings and checking in-store returns netted me an extra $788 to spend on diapers and wipes. That’s time well spent in my book.
For cheaper diapers, consider shopping for amazon diapers or looking into budget-friendly options like aldi baby products to stretch your savings even further.
