5 Things I’ll Always Buy Secondhand as a Mom

Before I had kids, I was all about the fresh-out-the-bag outfits and pristine baby gear. I had the Pinterest nursery plan, the tiny moccasins, the baby registry checklist with zero chill.

Then reality hit.

Babies grow fast. Toddlers are messy. And most “must-haves” get used for all of five minutes. I realized I was spending money (and filling my house) with stuff that could have easily come from another family—clean, loved, and already broken in.

Now? I default to secondhand whenever I can. Not just because it’s cheaper—but because it’s smarter. It’s better for the planet, better for my sanity, and honestly... better for my kids.

Here are 5 things I’ll always buy secondhand from now on—and why I hope more moms will too.

1. Baby and Toddler Clothes

This one’s a no-brainer. Kids go through 7 sizes in 3 years. They spit up, roll in grass, and treat food like finger paint. New clothes rarely stay “new” for long—and most of us overbuy out of habit or fear.

Buying secondhand:

• Saves hundreds of dollars per year
• Keeps clothes out of landfills
• Encourages a healthy detachment from perfection (and laundry shame)

I use The Little Loop to swap gently used clothes as my kids grow. It’s not just convenient—it’s a mindset shift. I love knowing our old clothes are getting new life, and we’re paying it forward with every box.

2. Toys and Books

There’s something deeply satisfying about finding a $3 Duplo set that retails for $30—and watching your toddler play with it exactly the same way they would the new one.

Toys and books are some of the best secondhand scores:

• They don’t expire
• Kids outgrow them quickly
• They’re built to last (especially wooden toys and classics like Magna-Tiles)

Look on Marketplace, thrift stores, or local Buy Nothing groups. You can build a rotation system and donate or swap sets once your child moves on.

3. Outerwear & Seasonal Gear

Puffer coats. Rain boots. Halloween costumes. Snow bibs. These are expensive new—and often barely worn before the next growth spurt.

Why pay $50 for a toddler parka that’ll last one winter? Secondhand outerwear is:

• Already broken in
• Easy to sanitize
• Totally forgettable (your kid cares more about puddles than Patagonia)

Pro tip: I keep a size-up bin for coats and boots so I’m never scrambling when seasons change.

4. Nursery + Baby Gear

Yes, some baby items need to be bought new (hello, car seat expiration dates). But many things don’t:

• Bouncers
• Bassinets
• Diaper pails
• Play gyms
• High chairs

These are often used for just a few months—then passed on in near-perfect condition. Just wipe them down, sanitize, and smile at the savings.

5. Parent Essentials

Not everything I buy secondhand is for my kids. I’ve found amazing deals on:

• Parenting books
• Nursing covers
• Maternity jeans
• Baby carriers

It’s all part of that gentle transition into a more sustainable, less consumer-driven motherhood.

I’m not perfect. I still buy new sometimes. But secondhand first? That’s my default now. It saves me money, keeps my home lighter, and makes me feel more aligned with the kind of mom I want to be.

Final Thought

Secondhand doesn’t mean second-best. It means second-chance, second-use, and second-nature for families who are done with the overwhelm.

So if you’ve got a box of outgrown baby clothes in the closet—and another growth spurt on the horizon—

swap them out and keep the cycle going.

Because motherhood already costs enough. Your sanity doesn’t have to be part of the price.