Do you feel bad for buying used clothing for your baby?
Friday, January 15th, 2010 at
6:10 pm
I am pregnant with my first baby and am very crunched for money. So, I’ve been going to consignment stores and buying second hand baby clothes. A part of me feels bad because I can’t get my baby new things. Do you think my son will feel ashamed that I am buying used clothes?? For moms who have bought used clothing: Do you feel bad about it??
Filed under: Baby Clothes
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Not at all!!
Most of my daughters clothes are second hand. They do sell some cute things at Family Dollar, and Dollar General. Even Walmart has cheap outfits! But for the most part, I go to little shops for babies, but second hand ones. That way, I buy ‘nicer’ (And you can find really nice things in those shops) things for her birthday, ect.
Save money now!
Congrats!!!
Hell, No!!
Why should I feel bad for buying used clothes? someone else indicated that they can afford brand new name brand clothes for their children. Sadly, this person is totally missing the point. for me, it’s about teaching children that they don’t need expensive, new things to be happy. And it’s about teaching them to be appreciative of what they have. And to be environmentally friendly and re-use things. I buy alot of new things, but also make regular trips to Recycled Kids and nothing wrong with that. I also buy toys off of E-bay. My daughter is 2 and a half and the other one is 8 weeks. The amount of time they wear clothes or play with certain toys is very limited, it would be silly to buy expensive name brand stuff that they will wear for a short time.
Furthermore, no matter how much money you have, do you not have better things to spend it on than name brand clothing for babies? I know i do…
no. i havent bought any used clothes for brody but if i saw something nice that was used i would get it for him. he has hand me down toys from neighbors. i buy myself used clothes from ebay and platos closet though.
More than half of my daughter’s clothes are second-hand. I get nice stuff obviously, not crappy stuff. There should not be any shame in it either. Money is tight for alot of people and baby clothes don’t get worn very long so when you buy second-hand, they are usually nice and practically new. In fact tomorrow I am trading in my daughter’s clothes to a consignment shop that I go to, to get some clothes for her for the fall and winter. Do not ever feel bad about doing this. It is not a bad thing at all. You are just trying to do whats best in these money hard times. Good luck!!
Your baby doesn’t know the difference between used clothing or new clothing.
I personally have never bought my babies used clothing..yet. I might someday.
Don’t be petty, you can get stuff with the tags still on half the time.Plus he will grow out of it in a month any way.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying second hand clothing for babies! In fact it’s a brilliant idea. Babies grow out of clothes SO fast it’s almost ridiculous when I look back and think about all the money I spent on clothes for my daughter who is 3 now. Most things she only wore once or twice. As they get older spending money on new things seems more economical, because they can wear it longer. But as newborns they grow so fast. My son wears hand-me-downs from my best friend’s son and I don’t feel bad about it at all. They are in good shape and I know my friend appreciates the extra use that they have gotten for the money she spent on them. I would just suggest washing everything with Dreft or an off brandon babies detergant to make sure it’s clean for your new baby
A thrifty mom can still be a good mom!
Best of luck to you!
Not at all. They grow out of the stuff so fast that I’d rather spend a couple bucks on a used outfit or something on clearance than $20 for a freaking sweater.
NO! sometimes you can find clothes that have never been worn. Your baby will be growing so fast he/she will not wear all the clothes you buy.
Congratulations and good luck
I have never had to buy used clothes for my children, but it doesn’t mean i wouldn’t if i couldn’t afford new things. You are doing what you can for him and just having clothing should be a blessing because some kids do not. I buy all my kids name brand clothes that they only wear for the season, and then i either give them to goodwill or sell them to consignment shops and they are like brand new..so don’t feel bad you might be getting some great clothes for way less than at the mall but they are the same thing.
seriously? how would your baby know that they’re used? but to answer your question, no, I feel very good about it. if you go to consignment stores, the salvation army, or garage sales, you’re helping to recycle old clothing that truly, usually, gets very limited wear. by recycling old clothes, you’re NOT contributing to the manufacturing and shipping of new clothes that your baby will only wear a few times. it’s good for the environment to reuse. a baby grows too quickly to buy all new clothes and it’s not like anything for infants is ever in or out of fashion. it’s all pretty much the same, season to season… and the baby absolutely doesn’t know anyways. I do buy all new onesies though, I think old ones should get thrown away! they’re gross after a while. just check for stains and make sure buttons and snaps are still in working order and consider yourself very eco-friendly and economical.
Second hand baby clothes are practically new anyway. The number of times they are worn is minimal. I wouldn’t feel bad at all. There’s nothing wrong with being thrifty!
The only time my kid gets new clothes is when its his birthday for Christmas and only if I can find a good deal. I feel like an idiot paying crazy prices for clothes that he isnt going to be able to wear very long.
I wouldn’t feel bad about it… my son has worn his share of used clothes as a baby. Really they don’t know the difference if it is new or used and sometimes you can find really cute used things that look like they are new but cost way less! I think its perfectly fine and honestly I think it is a waste to spend a ton of money on new baby clothes because they outgrow them so fast! I mean it is ok if you get some new things but don’t feel like you have to get all new things and if all you can afford is all used things, don’t worry, the baby won’t know the difference. As long as they are loved and held, kept warm, and fed they will be happy
A baby really doesn’t need much to be happy and a lot of people just overdo it.
it depends how much your paying for the item sometimes for $1.00 more you actually get something new like in Target, Walmart, Ross,Marshalls,Kohl’s,OshKosh,Gap,Old Navy,
We have four children, three of whom are in college now, and doing really well. We were young when we started having them and were still in college. Most of their baby, toddler, and child clothing were purchased from good consignment shops, and some of those items returned to the consignment shops, for money which helped me buy their next set of clothing or coats etc.
First of all, if you select nice clothing, consignment clothing is many times much nicer than the clothing in Wal-Mart or even in Target. Throughout school, many people thought our kids were monied, when in fact, we always struggled.
As for hygiene, I always wash everything I buy anywhere. I wash consignment clothes to make sure I am not bringing home viruses, and I also wash new clothing before giving them to my child because the dyes used can trigger allergies. In addition, new clothes are occasionally transported in trucks with pesticides, so even new clothing and sheets etc. should be washed first.
Children care that they are truly loved. They look to you to provide love and to give them their perspectives. If you believe that you are doing your best, and you are saving money for doctor visits, copays, good food, toys, books, and a house someday, and you select consignment clothes with care, then he will appreciate the care he is given. They appreciate love and acceptance more than any material thing.
Provide love, nurturance and acceptance and accept your son for who he is. Teach him to have a faith (of some kind, yours or another, he can always change it) Clothing is just window dressing. Congratulations on your upcoming blessed event.
No way! Baby doesn’t understand now! Babies grow out of their clothes so fast so I think its good to have secondhand clothes, & even when he is a little older he wont feel ashamed! Sometimes kids are not worried about their clothes & where they came from! all they’re worried about is playing & messing up their clothes! As long as the clothes look nice with no holes or big stains the child will be allright! Just make sure you save the ugly clothes with big stains for play time or when he is being creative painting or playing out in the sand!
Don’t feel bad you can even buy cheap new clothes at bargain or retail stores such as BIG LOTS, FACTORY 2 U, & KIDS DISCOUNT STORES featuring their favorite cartoon characters! There’s alot of stores like those that sell new clothes for real cheap! You just have to look around & find them!
I promise your baby won’t care. Your budget will thank you though! Babies grow so fast that buying clothes from consignment stores is actually a wonderful idea.
NO WAY! I think shopping for brand new clothes all the time is absurd! Don’t get me wrong, I buy my daughter new clothes here and there, but 99% of her clothes are from sites like Craigslist or local consignment shops….And I feel quite good about it!
as a baby he will not be ashamed at all. I buy stuff at resale shops and goodwill all the time for my 3 kids. Sometimes you just can’t afford to go out and buy new stuff…besides, babies grow so darn fast.
I buy my daughter used clothes, and she doesn’t know the difference! They grow out of them so darn fast it would be crazy to buy her all new clothes all the time! As long as you wash them really good I see no harm, and I doubt your baby will even notice! congrats on the baby
he will be way too young to even remember; and u will prob find clothes, brand name that either are brand new or look like it….my mil loves to hit the secondhand stores and she has found some great and not so greats…lol, but she has found some really nice things….look brand new or still have tags on them…and babies grow so fast, if money is tight there is no need to waste a lot on something they won’t use long anyway…