Used car seats?

I used a second hand seat but I knew who had used it, and how. It had all the stickers and the manual (mind you manuals are easy to replace)

I wouldn't buy or use a second hand seat that wasn't from someone I knew.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing/second_ha...

Second-hand Child Restraints

The best advice is do not buy a second-hand child seat.

You cannot be certain of its history. It may have been involved in an accident and the damage may not be visible. Very often the instructions are missing from second-hand seats which makes it more difficult to be sure that you are fitting and using it correctly.

Second-hand seats are also likely to be older, to have suffered more wear and tear and may not be designed to current safety standards.

It is far better to buy a new child seat. Prices range dramatically, and it is not necessary to buy the most expensive one. Ask your local Road Safety Department (part of your Council) whether they know of any child seat discount schemes.

If you must use a second-hand seat, only accept one from a family member or friend (don't buy one from a second-hand shop or through the classified ads) and then only if you are absolutely certain that you know its history, it comes with the original instructions and it is not too old.

Before you agree to accept the seat:

* Examine it carefully for damage (but remember, not all damage to child seats is visible to the naked eye).

* Make sure the manufacturer's instructions are available.

* Check the manufacturer's advice about how old the seat should be before it needs to be replaced.

* Make sure the seat is suitable for your child's weight and height.

* Try the seat in your car - if you cannot get it to fit securely, do not buy it.

* Check that the seat meets the United Nations standard Regulation 44.03 or 44.04 - look for the 'E' mark.

http://shopping.canoe.ca/shop/content--locale_en__...

* Do not purchase pre-owned car seats unless from a highly trusted seller. Second-hand car seats may already have been in an accident, which deems them unusable. As well, seats more than 10 years old or those that have passed the expiry dates marked on them are unsuitable for your child. Used car seats should have:

o Installation instructions and all hardware

o CMVSS sticker

o No discoloration, stress marks or wear and tear on the harness

* Transport Canada does not recommend the use of car seat accessories such as mirrors and toys as they can be harmful in a collision.

* Never buckle your child into a seat in his snowsuit as the harness will not be tight enough and he will not be restrained well enough in the event of a collision.

http://www.healthunit.com/article.aspx?ID=10275

http://www.todaysparent.com/healthsafety/baby/arti...

http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=10540...

(PS never get a used crib mattress, its even questionable to use the same one for two of your own children -some studies link it to SIDS)

If there is a model number on the car seat you could probably get an instruction manual online. Also, you can probably find a checklist of images of the carseat with a list of things to check to see if they are worn. If the car seat came from someone you know and trust, they could tell you how to use it properly. If not, then perhaps a new one is the best way to go. I am all for getting the best deal on things and some used things are no problem but something that could save your child's life is worth the extra money.

Do not use a used car seat.

This advice comes from our local Health Dept. I was warned against it from them over and over again.

You need to make sure the seat you are using is up to code (safe enough) because it might be on recall or something. Also, if it has been involved in a car wreck of any kind then it might be damaged and you might not be able to tell.

There are people who will give away free car seats. The hospital where I had my baby girl gave me a carseat that I still use today and she is two. Call the local hospitals and health departments and see who can give you one.

I am sure your Mother in law meant well. She was trying to help you out and she might be offended. Just tell her that you need to do what you think is best and you appreciate it.

You could also use the 'new baby, new carseat' angle. You could tell her that since this is your first baby you want to buy her/him their first carseat.

Only get a second hand car seat if you know the owner before. If that car seat was in one accident (even a fenderbender) it needs to be thrown away. Also car seats are only good for 5 years then they expired. Personally I would go with your gut and get a new car seat (then you can mail in the post card and they will notify you if recalled) and know that your child is safe. You can always cut costs somewhere else like cheaper diapers, less clothes, less toys, ect... Good luck being a single mom is hard so stay strong!!!

There are many resources that will tell you to NEVER use a used car seat because you never know it's history and whether it's ever been in an accident. Pretty much ALL baby seats are designed to be in ONE accident. So if the seat has been in an accident, it can have no physical signs but yet it's satty compromised.

That's the main key, the fact that a car seat can be damaged and dangerous for your child (from the standpoint of keeping them safe in a car accident) yet show no physical signs.

This is one place where trying to "save money" can cost you the life of your child.

Your husband's mother needs to understand this... but then again she comes from the generation that didn't use car seats and "your husband came out all right" (so of course it's file to treat today's children the same... right??? :) )

I had the same situatin with my girls. My in laws did not get how important a car seat was...they didn't have them back then.

Stand strong...this will not be the last time you need to do what is right for your child regardless of what others think. I just let my family think the carseat was my "thing" to worry about.

For hand me downs check out CPSC.Gov, you can subscribe to get recall info(which you will always need with kids) and look up specific items for recall info.

Good luck, you'll never regret knowing that you did all you could to keep your baby safe!!!

(Ask grandma to help you obtain some other items...she may appreciate being able to be useful, and make a big fuss over them!)

Best to buy new. You are not to know if that car seat has been in an accident or the exact age of the car seat. We were told when we brought our one that car seats only last for a maximum of 7 years and if they are involved in a accident big or small the seat will need to get replaced. Best thing to do is ask at a baby store they usually know these sorts of things.

Never buy a used car seat.

You don't know the crash history, even a minor fender bender can cause unseen cracks. Hand me downs can be OK as long as you know the history.

Also, newer car seats come with the LATCH system, which you definitely want to use if you can.

Generally, it's not the best idea to get a used car seat. You can get a new car seat for a reasonable price (about 75$) We were on a budget with our first, but when I used some of the gift cards people gave us through our baby showers and ended up paying only 20 dollars for our car seat, including an extra base for our second car.

You can't use this seat. You don't know when it was made (car seats have a "shelf life," believe it or not) and you don't know whether or not it's ever been in an accident (like bike helmets, car seats have to be replaced after accidents, even if there's no apparent damage).

Say thank you, and then buy a new one. Or find a used one that you're sure hasn't been in an accident, is relatively new, and comes with the instructions, weight/height limits, etc.

Car seats and cribs are what even the budget books recommend you buy new - you never know when a car seat could have been in an accident.

However, we bought a car seat from a local retailer, it didnt fit in our car, we returned it a week later. We saw them put it right back on the floor. Who knows if someone shadier might have done the same thing after having an accident. That said, you can usually get the cover off and inspect it for any breaks in the foam or cracks.