Newborn Shopping Checklist: What to Buy New vs What to Buy Preloved

Baby gear is expensive. And baby clothes? They barely fit for a few months before your newborn outgrows them. If you're staring at a newborn checklist wondering where to spend and where to save, here's a simple way to split it.

What to always buy new

Some things should still start new, no matter how good a deal looks.

  • Mattresses — crib and bassinet mattresses wear down invisibly and are tied to safe-sleep guidelines.
  • Bottles — plastic degrades and scratches over time, which can harbour bacteria.
  • Pacifiers — cheap to replace, and go straight into your baby's mouth.

What makes sense to buy preloved

For durable, short-use items, preloved just makes sense. Your baby will use these for a matter of months before growing out of them.

  • Strollers
  • High chairs
  • Baby carriers
  • Books
  • Toys

Read our preloved stroller buying guide for a deeper look at what to check before buying one used.

What to always check first

Before you buy anything preloved, check:

  • Condition
  • Missing parts
  • Recalls
  • Cleanliness
  • Whether it still meets current safety standards

Buy second hand, without second guessing

Everything on Chub Chub is safety-checked, cleaned, sanitized, and delivered to your door — so you can save up to 70% without cutting corners on safety.

Shop all preloved baby essentials on Chub Chub →

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