Baby Gear Bought 6+ Years Ago - What Do We Need to Replace?

How exciting! I believe that car seats have a 5-year "expiration" on them, due to the changing regulations and product development advances.

Personally, I would consider changing out the bottles and nipples (due to the BPA issue). I think it's a matter of your comfort level of whether you buy used or new -- I'm sure either is fine! We should probably note that your first children are perfectly healthy using the original bottles, cups, etc., so don't feel peer pressure into buying the latest and greatest.

We use so much gear when it comes to our baby and I'll sure the items you have will be perfectly fine. The only item I can think that might have changed in 6 years are baby carriers (Baby Bjorn, etc.) that are designed to be better for your back. If you have back problems, this is something you might want to look into. Otherwise, I'll bet you're good to go!

Best wishes!

I don't know if they are still doing it, but Babies R Us was allowing you to trade in your old bottles for new ones. It usually isn't an even trade, but still save you money on the bulk of the cost for new ones.

I'd consider borrowing an infant seat since the "technology" on them has gotten better. I think your baby carrier is probably fine.

As others have suggested, I would defintely buy new nipples and check out the bottles. Your infant seat should have expriation dates. I read a while ago that the expiration date is due to the possibility of the plastic breaking down so it will may not hold as well in a serious accident. One thing not mentioned is recalls. Go to the Toys R US site or to the CDC web site--even Fit Pregnancy has a recall link on their site. Make sure none of your items have been recalled. Even if everything was great with your first, there is potential for accidents. It is so scary when you read about it.

I would get rid of all bottles / nipples and sippy cup type stuff. Start over with all of those. any major equipment such as swings, pack and plays, cribs etc should be fine provided they meet standards. (there have been several recalled in last few years do to defects which make them collapse. strollers etc should be fine also. I would pop for a new carseat. this is something you will use a lot.congrats on the new baby.

I would replace the bottles due to the BPA issue. But go ahead and gt them from friends and such, why not? I would probably just buy the nipples new. As far as the carseat, it should have an expiration date on it somewhere. If yours is still good, use it. Otherwise borrow/buy from friends, just make sure the seat was never in a car accident. Good Luck with #3!

Look on your infant car seat -- if it has an expiration go by that (probably expired or very near)...if no expiration date on it, take a look at this article

http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2006/07/12/reader-questio...

it gives you advice on contacting the manufacturer and also what to do if there is no expiration date. If you have any opaque plastic bottles (not the glass looking clear ones) they are SUPPOSEDLY BPA-Free even without being newly manufactured. If you have old latex nipples, get rid of them. If you have silicone ones (clear) that aren't cloudy, they might be OK if you boil them...but then again- nipples are pretty cheap so you might want to just get new ones. Glass bottles are A-OK if you have any of those.