Where to buy used baby-things

Papu · Post by **Papu** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:20 am

Moi,

We've got a baby coming up and I was wondering where you can get used baby-stuff in Helsinki.

Since they only wear clothes for a couple of weeks, there's bound to be lots of stuff out there that people are trying to get rid of.

- Car seat
- Clothes
- Cribs
- and whatever else you need (haven't been planning so much yet).

Is there like a big fleamarket that I don't want to miss?
Or some other place?

Kiitos,

Papu

**Sponsor:**

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:30 am

Generally, It goes by word of mouth...
For e.g. we have given away some things for people who are having babies..

Some fleamarkets sell baby clothes in HEL area, like the one close to Ruoholahti. Dunno about others..
Also, if you go to the maternity clinic ( whichever you have chosen to go to), you can find lots of advertisements there..

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:48 am

Have you tried http://www.huuto.net ?

Also in Prisma/Citymarket etc etc you will find a noticeboard where people post small ads.

Keke · Post by **Keke** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:03 pm

Here's a link to second-hand shops around Finland.

http://www.vuolanne.net/kirpputorit/

Some shops, especislly in Espoo, specialise in children's stuff: 'lastenvaatteita ja -tarvikkeita'.

Amandine.K · Post by **Amandine.K** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:14 pm

Though pease be careful when buying a second hand crib/bed for your baby. You have to buy a new mattress as studies have shown that using a "old" mattress (meaning one that has already been used, even for a few months) increases the risks of SIDS.

For the car seat, same be careful. Be absolutely sure that the car seat hasn't been subjected to an accident. Sometimes the damage is not visible from the outside but it is not providing the security you are looking for.

I find that ebay has a wider choice and all in all prices with postage are about the sames as the one you'll find on huuto.

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:51 pm

There is also a store opposite the bar/Restaurant Elite in Töölö that sold used baby clothes etc...
Contrary to advice that used/second hand baby things tc are unsafe and some dubious studies, there is actually NO proof for those things.
We have received numerous things from many people for our kids and its great. We do the same by giving away the things that others can use..for their kids..
It was not only here that this practice goes on but also in other countries.
its just that the perception of used things for Kids is frowned upon..so use your discretion when getting things second hand / used.

Papu · Post by **Papu** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:35 am

thanks for all the help!

I guess you're right: Word of Mouth is definitively the best way to get stuff....

I'm gonna get some stuff from my sister in law, so first i've still gotta check what i need....

Amandine.K · Post by **Amandine.K** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:46 pm

raamv wrote: Contrary to advice that used/second hand baby things tc are unsafe and some dubious studies, there is actually NO proof for those things.

Absolutely untrue!

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosin ... _seats.htm

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/325 ... type=HWCIT

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:06 pm

Amandine.K wrote:
raamv wrote: Contrary to advice that used/second hand baby things tc are unsafe and some dubious studies, there is actually NO proof for those things.
Absolutely untrue!
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosin ... _seats.htm
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/325 ... type=HWCIT

Where is the absoluteness in the truth

Second link also says:
------------------------------------------
Insufficient evidence is available to judge whether this relation is cause and effect.
What is already known about this topic
The major risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome are sleeping prone and parental smoking

One study has suggested that the syndrome is associated with sleeping on an infant mattress previously used by another child

What this study adds
New case-control data show that the association between a previously used infant mattress and sudden infant death syndrome is valid

When source of used mattress is categorised, the association is significant only if the mattress is from another home

Insufficient evidence is available to judge whether this is a cause and effect relation

------------------------------------------
This is akin to saying that every child should have their own car seat..
For e.g. we use our old one for our 2nd child.. its a matter of trust..
How do you know that a new car seat doesn't have cracks? or not involved in any damage during transportation..?
The link that you pointed out says "Likely" in a lot of places and so I can also conclude that they are likely Paid for by the car seat manufacturers..
As for the child mattress, If you get a crib it makes sense to get a new mattress as: older mattresses could have dirt, stains, urine, saliva, or kakka of the older baby...if the older mattress was protected using protective covers, it shouldn't be a problem..

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:07 pm

In essence, no proof, just studies..

scoobymcdoo · Post by **scoobymcdoo** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:28 pm

Personally I would not buy a second hand cot matress, they come in some many sizes that finding one that actually fits your cot is going to be hard, they have to fit well to prevent your rolling baby becoming trapped down the sides. Most cot matresses are made of foam which gets worn, saggy, disintegrated and molded to the shape of the baby that slept in it. They also get covered in puke, wee, poo etc. Nowadays most matresses are treated to be fire retardant, older matresses were not subjected to this.

As far as second hand car seats go, I would not buy one. You do not know the history of it and what has happened. For the same reason I would not buy a second hand bike helmet. When one crashes in a bike helmet it can have internal breaks and cracks. I crashed my bike many years ago and was saved by my helmet (3 metal plates in my face show this). I took my helmet back to the makers who examined it and deemed it non usable...they replaced it there and then.
A car seat could have been in a crash, dropped repeatedly by airport handlers, jumped on by energentic toddlers etc. You cannot see the internal damage. They are not that expensive anyway. I'd rather buy a new car seat knowing it's past, limited history. Why risk it?

Cant see what is wrong with buying anything else like clothes, blankets, prams, toys etc second hand. I personally would just steer clear of matresses and car seats.

Hannah

KatGrrl · Post by **KatGrrl** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:45 pm

Well said, Hannah!

Granted, it's difficult to prove cause and effect in an academic study and for the same reason, academics also like to use the word "likely" since it's rather impossible to prove 100% one way or another. (Having being an academic for a short while, I know this trade

) However, I'd hope common sense prevail when it comes to an infant's safety and health. Why take any risk if it can be avoided?

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