5 things that you shouldn't buy used

What's with the social consciousness? I totally expected another Cracked.com article.

On a more serious note, I'd add stuffed animals to the list. They can harbor all sorts of germs and bacteria.

Lol, I try to mix it up a little bit. Can't all be fun and games, and what with some of you stealing the articles I was gonna post sometimes...

I definitely agree on stuffed animals. But I'd also buy them off a friend if I knew the entire history from purchase, lol.

Shoes, having a background in shoe repair I always tell parents not to buy shoes used. Either for their kids of for them. Everyone's feet are different and wearing someones else shoes can cause foot and back problems.

I raised my kids on mostly used stuff. Cribs are expensive. What people need are good cribs with metal hardware. Plastic sides to slide the cribs are the problem NOT "drop side cribs." Drop side cribs have been used for over 100 years, and when the mechanisms are made from metal, they are perfectly safe. Two of our three cribs were used, as was our cradle and baby swing. Babies die from being left alone for too long, not from cribs. Our kids spent most of the time until they could roll over on their own in OUR bed so there were completely safe. Even in their own cribs, they were checked in frequently.

Toys? It's expensive buying everything you need for kids new. As long as the toy is high quality, I see no harm in it. There is still contaminated NEW toys coming into the country, so buying new is no guarantee. Until we stop buying cheap crap from China, it will continue to be a problem. Old toys, from the 50s through the 80s were mostly made IN the USA and are mostly safe.

NEVER buy used breast pumps. It's like buying someone's old IV bag. Most single patient use pumps are meant for ONE woman and one woman only. Bacteria, mold, yeast, milk particles etc can get into the motors of most store bought pumps, and blown into your milk when you use the pump. Every woman should have a new one. And they need to be replaced anywhere from every 3 months to every 3 years depending on quality. It isn't an item to share, EVER! Rental pumps are different because the motors are sealed against contamination. NO pump you can buy at Babies R Us are in this price category. Including the Pump In Style. It's a great pump, but it is only a $300.00 item and meant for ONLY one person to use.

beanie babies are a big no no. they are just so nasty. also, it's not a good idea to buy used underwear

As a general rule of thumb I don't buy anything that has fabric on it. I watched a nasty Dr. Oz episode on thrift store germs.

I normally don't buy anything I have to "wear" used. Clothes is one thing, but snorkel equipment (anything that goes around my mouth or any orifice) I prefer to buy new.

I was going to say breast pumps but someone already said it, but nothing can be more true.