Erin of Happy Owl talks Buying Vintage Baby Gear

Hi everyone! Thank you so much Maryam for inviting me to your Baby Shower Guest Postings!! What a fabulous idea. My name is Erin from Happy Owl and my husband and I are parents to 2 awesome and free-spirited boys. Noah is 5 and Logan is 2. We get to enjoy all of our daily adventures in the wild and beautiful Juneau, Alaska!! Being a mother there are so many wonderful and fun things to discuss and advice to be given but I thought this topic would be quite fitting; especially for me and so many of my blog friends including Maryam out there. And that would be what you should and shouldn't buy thrifted or vintage for your new babe. 

With the million internet sites, etsy, thrift stores, yard sales and estate sales out there; your ability to buy all things vintage are possible. And it is very easy to get sucked into the idea of having all things fabulous and old. However sometimes it is not always the best idea. So here is my list of do's and don'ts of buying vintage or thrifted.

1. Crib- I usually recommend don't. The reason being is springs, bolts, sides and even legs can be too worn down or simply in poor condition and you are not aware of it. However here is my suggestion. If you truly love a vintage crib make sure it is looked over by someone who knows what they are doing. Someone familiar with the materials, some type of craftsman that can fix any malfunctions or weaknesses it might have once your new babe is inside. Secondly, I strongly suggest you hesitate first before buying cribs from thrift stores or yard sales unless you are willing to do the same. Even if it is only a couple years old. You would be surprised how much wear and tear those cribs can get. 

2. Dishes- A don't. Vintage dishes can be so beautiful and a true treasure if you find a good set. However be very wary of actually USING it with your baby. If they are painted, it could easily chip and usually contains toxic paint with lead. As well as the plastics and metals can contain toxins as well. They are beautiful for displays but not always great for use. Glass has actually been the one constant that I have found to be ok, however, not so practical with baby. ;)

3. Toys- Sometimes. When buying old vintage toys please remember to think about the following: Does it have a lot of paint on it that my child will put in their mouth (almost definitely containing lead)? Do dolls or animals, etc. have eyes that protrude that can easily be chewed or sucked off and choked on? Is the toy simply too fragile or a family heirloom? Very few baby toys every go without being dirtied, torn, or broken from extreme love. We have all seen Toy Story, right? There are many toys that I do buy vintage, but most of the time I have waited until my boys got a little older to play with them. One big example I have is vintage Fisher Price and Play Mobile. They are still awesome and sturdy as ever. 

4. Clothes/Blankets/Bedding- Yes, most of the time. I am an avid thrifter and etsy peruser and love looking at all the vintage clothes, blankets, hats and shoes out there. Rarely have I found a time when you shouldn't purchase clothes vintage. The one thing I will say is especially for babies the fabric tends to be a bit rougher and sometimes can irritate some babies who have super sensitive skin. And sometimes things can be pretty pricey if vintage, and your little one doesn't fit into it for very long. Some pajamas are not flame resistent (but so are some new jammies these days). So overall this is the main one that I find the most joy in buying. Just make sure to wash all things you put on or near your baby first. 

5. Books/Pictures/Anything Decor Related- yes!! I love surrounding my children with things old and new. I will tell you though, just like toys, old books are delicate. So be prepared for pages to be ripped and edges chewed on. But it's all with love. ;)

So I hope this helped. Now I know some of you might think differently and that's ok. Good luck Maryam with your little one and happy shopping!!!