Nice way to ask someone for hand-me-downs?

M

I have a friend who is awesome and his baby will be about 16 months when my first baby is born. I know he has baby stuff he isn't using anymore, mostly newborn stuff like a tub insert and bassinet, because his kiddo is too big for them. How can I ask him politely for his baby stuff he doesn't need or use anymore? Is this a dumb thing to do? Would you think it was weird if someone asked you for that kind of thing?