Bottlefeeding can be a costly exercise and when your little one transitions to solids you may be wondering what to do with all the bottles!
The good news is, yes, you can sell your used baby bottles! After all, It would be such a shame to toss your collection of Dr. Browns or Comotomo baby bottles into the bin when they could still be put to good use.
Key takeaways
- You can sell used baby bottles as long as you follow safety precautions
- Second-hand baby bottles should be sold intact with all parts included
- Discoloration, recouping costs, transitioning to sippy cups, and finding the right brand are some of the reasons you would sell used baby bottles
- Always make sure pre-owned bottles aren’t damaged, are sanitized, intact, and come with new nipples before selling them to other parents
- Find out what prices other parents are quoting for secondhand feeding items on marketplaces such as eBay
- When listing pre-owned bottles for sale use appropriate wording in your description
- Sell your gently-used baby bottles to friends, family, or on online marketplaces
Is it OK to sell used baby bottles?
It’s okay to sell used baby bottles if they’re in good condition, are sterilized, and contain all the necessary components. Secondhand baby bottles can be sold on various online marketplaces and in local thrift stores. Recycling baby bottles also decreases one’s carbon footprint!
Is it safe to sell used baby bottles?
Selling your highly sought-after collection of baby bottles that are still in good condition is a solution for families who are on a tight budget. Especially popular brands such as Dr. Brown’s or NUK, Philips Avent or Playtex and those bottles that offer special features such as anti-colic vent systems.
These baby bottles aren’t the cheapest new and being able to source them secondhand is a bonus for parents who want the best for their little ones. But, is it safe to sell used baby bottles? Yes, as long as you take note of the following:
- The bottles are BPA-free
- There are no signs of damage
- The bottles have been sterilized or washed in hot water and soap
When selling your used baby bottles, make sure all the parts are included and they’re not damaged. It’s advisable for the buyer to purchase new nipples so don’t stress about including the bottle teats in the sale unless they’ve never been used.
Why you might want to sell your bottles
Discoloration
Over time, plastic baby bottles and nipples turn yellow. This type of discoloration happens for a number of reasons such as:
- Breakdown in the plastic material
- The fat content of the milk
- Temperature changes in the milk
- The way the bottle is washed
Whatever the reason, you may decide you want to replace the bottles even if they’re still in perfect working order. Selling them gives you the cash you need to buy new ones while giving a mom out there a chance to buy still-good baby bottles at an affordable price. However, make sure the bottle’s discoloration isn’t detrimental to the quality of the item before selling it.
Changing to sippy cups
When choosing between sippy cups and bottles for weaning, I found the former to be very useful when my toddler daughter wasn’t drinking as much liquid as we wanted her to! Babies transition to sippy cups from the age of six to 12 months when switching to solid foods.
When your baby is ready to switch from the bottle to a cup, you’re left with a cupboard full of perfectly good bottle-feeding gear! Selling them to a thrift shop or donating them to a charity for less fortunate families is a way of shifting them out of your house without adding them to the landfill.
Price of the bottles
Some of the best baby bottles on the market come with an expensive price tag! While you were willing to spend more on your baby’s bottle-feeding equipment, it does seem a waste to not sell them when your little one switches to solids. Selling your baby bottles means you can recoup the initial outlay and put it into toddler gear.
Expensive bottles are often more durable, made with silicone or glass. They’re also designed to include anti-colic features such as a venting system. Top-quality bottles can set you back anything between $8 to $18 per item so selling them on and getting some of the cost back makes sense. On the other hand, nipples are relatively cheap and it’s not necessary to sell them secondhand.
Tried many and only a few seem to work
If your baby is particularly fussy, you may be changing from one bottle to another to test them – a real battle to find the right bottle for him or her. Looking for alternatives that are similar to bottles such as Dr. Browns’ but with fewer parts means you could be sitting with unused feeding items in your cupboard! It may take a few times of trying different brands before you and your little one settle on one that works for both of you.
Selling unused baby bottles is a good way of decluttering your kitchen cupboard while giving other parents the opportunity to buy second-hand, good-quality feeding gear.
Got too many leftover bottles from a baby shower game
Another reason for selling bottles is if you played some baby shower games using baby bottles. They might have been so much used in such a game that you cannot really return them to the store.
What to consider when assessing whether to sell certain baby bottles
Is your baby bottle complete with all its parts?
Selling an anti-colic baby bottle without its venting system would seem pointless for some parents looking for colic relief for their babies. Other parts such as lids, tubes, and rings should be included in the sale of the bottle. Making sure the baby bottle is intact with all its components is the right thing to do while getting the price you want from the resale.
Does the baby bottle show signs of damage?
If any of your used baby bottles show signs of damage, it’s better not to resell them. Not only is this hazardous for babies but it’s unhygienic. Chipped or scratched material, broken vents, or cracked rings are all signs that the baby bottle is damaged. In this case, it’s best to toss the bottle rather than risk exposing a baby to serious adverse effects.
Is the baby bottle clean?
Before selling used baby bottles, they should be sterilized. You can use a bottle sterilizer, place them on the top rack of the dishwasher, or wash them by hand in hot water and soap. Cleaning and sanitizing baby bottles before giving them away gives you and the other parent peace of mind the bottle is free of germs.
Watch this video which demonstrates how to clean and sanitize baby bottles.
Does the baby bottle have a new teat?
Babies should never share the same teat even if it’s with their own siblings. The same principle applies to selling baby bottles with a used nipple. Don’t do it! Rather buy new nipples as an add-on to the sale or let the buyer purchase their own nipples after buying the bottles.
How much should you sell your used baby bottles for?
If you’re wondering how much you should sell your used baby bottles, do some research on popular marketplaces such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Based on what I found on eBay, pre-owned bottles were selling on average, at the following prices online:
- Philip Avent : $2.35/each
- Dr, Brown’s Natural Flow: $5.00/each
- Tommee Tippee: $1.20/each
- NUK Anti-Colic: $5.45/each
- Evenflo Glass (4oz): $9.44/each
Prices vary depending on the condition of the bottles, whether they have all the parts, and if they’re a popular brand. Glass and silicone bottles are likely to sell for a higher price compared to plastic types.
If you prefer to view the bottles before buying them online, it’s better to use a platform such as your local Facebook Marketplace. Here, you have the option of asking the seller if you can see the items before making an offer to purchase. When buying online, find out if there are additional costs such as shipping.
How to describe your listing
How you list and describe your used baby bottles goes a long way to making a sale. Consider the following factors when listing your items online:
- Images: Quality photographs clearly show the buyer the condition of your used bottles. Loading multiple pictures showing different views and parts of the bottle reassures the buyer that they’re getting a good deal.
- Size: Mentioning the size of the bottle is vitally important.
- Quantity: State how many bottles are being sold for the price quoted.
- Price: The price should indicate if it includes shipping, custom services, and international tracking.
- Condition: Always indicate if the bottles are pre-owned/used or new.
- Packaging: If the bottles come with their original packaging don’t forget to mention it in the listing.
- Other: If you’re selling other items such as handles and bottle covers with the used bottles, indicate it in the listing description.
Headlining your listing with the following example clearly indicates what you’re selling:
“Tommee Tippee Baby Bottles Feeding 90z ounces Lot of 3 with nipples, caps, rings”
The following short descriptions help the buyer to understand what condition the bottles are in:
- “Normal wear. Good condition”
- “Very good pre-owned condition”
- “Good used condition with minor scuffs/scratches”
Being honest in your description is important if you want a satisfied customer and a successful sale.
Where to sell your used baby bottles
Talk to friends and family
Telling your friends and family that you have used baby bottles to sell is a quick and easy way to sell your bottle-feeding items without going through an online platform. They may be grateful for the opportunity to purchase second-hand bottles from someone they trust. They can also view the baby bottles before deciding if they want to buy them from you.
Organize a garage sale
If you’ve got a whole lot of baby items to sell, together with used bottles and accessories, holding a garage sale is one of the best ways to get rid of excess stuff. It’s cost-effective, saves you the hassle of dealing with shipping, and gives parents in your neighborhood the opportunity to buy good-quality second-hand baby items.
Use these marketplaces
- Facebook groups: Best for selling in your local neighborhood.
- eBay: Can be used if you want to reach a broader market.
- OfferUp: An app for selling a wide range of gently-used baby items.
- GoodBuy Gear: A site for parents to sell used baby items, safely and sustainably.
- Craigslist: An online classifieds site for selling used baby bottles to local buyers.
Conclusion
Is it Ok to sell used baby bottles? Yes, as long as they’re in good condition, hygienic, and intact. Sitting with a stock of used baby bottles that are no longer being used by your little one takes up space in the home. Instead, you can earn some cash while making good-quality bottles accessible to people looking for a bargain.
While parents do wonder if baby bottles and nipples expire and if it’s safe to reuse them, in most cases, it’s okay as long as they’re still in good condition. Being a responsible seller and making sure your used baby bottles are suitable for resale means you care while giving other parents a safe bargain! And when you cannot resell, them you might want to consider donating them.
