Second-Hand Baby Items in Nigeria: What Is Safe to Buy Used and What to Buy New

A baby needs a lot of things, and needs most of them for only a few months. That is why fairly used baby items are one of the smartest ways for Nigerian parents to save money, and why so many homes have cartons of outgrown clothes and toys in the store.

Some items are perfectly safe second-hand. A few are not worth the risk. Here is how to tell the difference, whether you are buying or decluttering your own.

Great to buy second-hand

• Clothes, from newborn to toddler. Many are worn a handful of times. Check for stains, stretched necklines and broken snaps, then wash before use.
• Shoes for early walkers. Little feet barely wear soles down. Avoid shoes that have moulded to another child's foot.
• Toys and books. Wooden and hard plastic toys clean easily. Check for loose small parts that could be swallowed, and that batteries are enclosed.
• Strollers and prams. Check that the brakes lock firmly, the folding mechanism is secure, the wheels turn freely and the harness buckles work.
• Baby walkers, bouncers and play mats. Check that the frame is not cracked and straps are intact.
• Cots and playpens. Check that the sides are firm, nothing wobbles, slats are close enough together that a baby's head cannot pass through, and no screws or bolts are missing.
• High chairs. Check stability and the safety straps.
• Bathtubs and changing tables. Easy to clean and rarely worn out.
• Maternity clothes. Worn for a few months at most.

Better to buy new

• Car seats with unknown history. A seat that has been in an accident may be damaged in ways you cannot see. Only buy used from someone you trust who can confirm its history, and check the expiry date often printed on the seat.
• Cot and crib mattresses. A firm, clean, well-fitting mattress matters for safe sleep. Used ones can be soft, sagging or unhygienic.
• Feeding bottle teats and pacifiers. Cheap to replace and hard to clean completely.
• Breast pump parts that touch milk, unless the pump is designed for more than one user and you replace those parts.
• Anything cracked, broken or missing parts, no matter how cheap.

What to check before you pay

1. See it in person. Photos hide cracks, stains and wobble. Never pay for a baby item you have not seen. Read how to avoid scams when buying second-hand.
2. Test every moving part. Fold and unfold the stroller. Lock the brakes. Shake the cot.
3. Smell and look closely at fabrics. Mould and stains are hard to remove.
4. Ask how old it is and how many children used it.
5. Clean everything before your baby uses it.

On Cluttapp, you pay Cluttapp rather than the seller, and your money is held until you have the item. The team sets up a meeting in Abeokuta or Saapade where you check it in person before you take it home.

Selling your baby's outgrown items

If your store is full of baby things, they are worth more now than they will be next year. To sell them well:

• Wash and clean everything. Parents are rightly fussy about hygiene.
• Group small items into bundles, such as "10 baby vests, 0 to 3 months". Bundles sell faster than single pieces.
• Photograph in daylight on a plain surface.
• Be honest about stains, wear and missing parts.
• Price fairly. Read how to price used items so they sell.

Then list them on Cluttapp. Listing is free, and Cluttapp keeps 10% only when an item sells.

Looking for something specific?

If you need a stroller, cot or high chair and cannot find one, tell us on the Find it for me page. Add your budget and a photo if you have one, and we will message you on WhatsApp when a match is listed. You can also browse toys and games or see where to buy fairly used items in Abeokuta.