What Kind of Baby Equipment Is Better to Rent Than Buy?
Having a baby is expensive. The cost of health care and the cost of preparing for the first year of a child’s life is very expensive. As babies grow, so do their needs. It’s impossible to predict how quickly your child will go through the stages, which can come with a ton of unforeseen costs, including wardrobe upgrades and car seats.
If your budget for these first few months is a bit tight, you are frequently traveling with an infant in tow, or dealing with a fast growing baby, renting used baby equipment may be a good option for you. But there are also baby equipment that should never be hired or rented for safety and hygiene reasons.
How to rent baby equipment
The baby equipment rental business has grown into an independent economy. There are services that are contracted with separate providers, just like you rent a room through Airbnb. Suppliers are responsible for cleaning the equipment after each return and ensuring that it is in good working order. One of the most popular companies in this area is BabyQuip . The site allows you to choose from a variety of baby items including car seats, cribs, play handles, changing tables, baby monitors, lock gates, portable swings, and toys.
BabyQuip has been around for a few years now, and some of its suppliers have been renting equipment for just as long. They know they have available and their equipment is insured. Once the gear is returned, you can leave feedback on your experience with that particular BabyQuip supplier for others.
BabyQuip prices vary. Suppliers charge per day, plus shipping and installation fees. They will offer multi-day discounts if you are renting long term, but it is worth making a rough estimate in advance. In some cases, it is more profitable to buy something right away.
Some manufacturers offer customized rental programs. This method is best if your child only needs a specific product for a few months. The Snoo Smart Sleeper , for example, is popular with jaded parents who need help getting their baby to sleep. However, it costs a whopping $ 1,300 to buy one, which can be prohibitive for families on a tight budget, especially as the child will outgrow it. But Snoo allows you to rent a sleeper to save money. It takes a minimum of one month to do this, but with a starting price of $ 112 a month, it is more affordable to rent within the recommended maximum use of six months.
You can also take advantage of the baby equipment rental service that operates in your area. For example, HelloBundl serves the Los Angeles and Orange County regions , while the Bay Area Baby Equipment (BABE) and Anything For Baby Rental Service serve San Francisco Bay Area and Phoenix customers, respectively. If you are traveling, try looking for a service where you are going. If you’re heading to Disney World, you can try A Baby’s Best Friend , which caters to the Orlando area for families vacationing in the region. There are even international rental services for families traveling abroad.
If you do decide to take an independent route, send an email or call to inquire about the rental rules. Ask how they determine the safety of their equipment, whether they verify that car seats have not been recalled or expired , and how they disinfect crib mattresses. It is also helpful to ask what their insurance policy covers and what you are responsible for if your child gets hurt or infected.
Equipment that can be rented
It’s easy – and safe – to rent anything that’s easy to clean or disinfect. This includes:
- Cloth
- Toys
- Baths
- Changing tables
- High chairs
- Cloth diapers (provided they are removable and disinfected after each use)
- Cribs
- Game yards
- Strollers
One caveat regarding cribs, playgrounds, and strollers is to make sure they were manufactured after federal regulations became stricter for each of these specific product categories.
Things you probably should just buy
There are many ways to rent baby equipment, but that doesn’t always mean you should . These are the things you better buy yourself, or at least study carefully if you are renting.
- Breast pumps . Breast pumps are at risk of cross contamination, and according to the FDA , the term “hospital pump” is not even officially recognized. If you need to rent one, talk with your doctor or board-certified breastfeeding consultant ahead of time. And make sure the models you are looking at are not disposable.
- Car seats . You can rent a car seat for quick trips, but keep this in mind when contacting the rental service: the foam that lulls your little one breaks down over time. You will want to ask if a car seat has ever had an accident and how old it is. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not offer anything over ten years old. Finally, be sure to visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website for both recall information and individual car seat safety ratings.
- Mattresses for baby cots . It is best to avoid used crib mattresses, especially if they are provided through a long-term rental service. Babies get themselves dirty and there is no guarantee that the last person with the mattress used any absorbent pads. Crib mattresses also soften with use. Depending on your child’s age, you will need something solid to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
And while you travel the world of baby equipment rental, the official consumer reviews site is a handy link to keep to double check for safety issues.