Do I get rid of the old baby stuff, or keep it??

[sparklett]

DS is three years old and I have a closet full of his old baby stuff: swings, carriers, car seat, stroller, crib (never used) co-sleeper, pack n' play, clothes, toys, etc. Most of this stuff is very expensive and all of it is top-of-the-line. I do not plan on having another baby for at least two years.

What should I do? We need the space and the last thing I need (emotionally) is to have to stare at a closet full of baby stuff. At the same time, it would be a shame to have to buy this stuff again in a few years when another baby comes along and who knows if I'll have the extra cash to invest in buying new stuff. We don't have a garage to store it in, though we probably will after we move.

Your thoughts? Ditch it and use the space or save it for another babe? We're going to be moving next month, so I need to decide what to do...

[wombatclay]

I'd go with a mixed approach...

Items you didn't use or didn't use much, I'd sell. Your second child may be happy to nap in the crib, but maybe not. Sell it and put the money in a "do not touch till baby two" savings account.

Items like clothing that may become "dated" I'd also sell. Infant clothing is relatively inexpensive, fun to give, and you don't know if the items you have now will suit a future child (different season, size, or gender for example). Select a few sentimental pieces and then sell or donate the rest.

The car seat will most likely expire (often they are "good" for five years) and second hand carseats can be iffy... that said, you might find a charity that will accept it or a parent who needs a backup seat.

Smaller items or items that really work for your parenting style I'd keep. For me that would be the co-sleeper and carriers, high quality toys. Possibly the swing if it could be packed easily and the stroller if you'll be living someplace with "stroller friendly" walkable areas.

good luck with the move!

[brittneyscott]

I agree with Clay. After #1 I kept all our baby stuff because I wanted another one and wanted them close together. I got pregnant with #2 when #1 was just over a year old. Most of the baby stuff I had with DD I didn't even use with DS even though they were that close together. After him though I got rid of everything because I knew if we had more it would be a while and I didn't want all the baby stuff taking up space in the meantime.

[ParisApril]

My kids are 6 years apart. Girl then a boy. The only things I reused were infant sleepers. The ones that weren't stained, that is. Somehow infant clothing stains while in storage. Their first slippers were the same and the stroller. A few favourite toys as well.

[rhiOrion]

do you have any friends who are pregnant? if so lend it all to them. that's what my friend did. so i got tons of free stuff to use, she got it out of her house, and she gets it back when she needs it. my only caveat was not to lend me any single items of cloths she'd be upset to not get back.

[treeoflife3]

I'd probably get rid of anything I didn't use that much or didn't love. Some items are replaceable and honestly better to replace and some items just can't be replaced. I'd find a balance.

Currently, we are selling our stroller even though we plan on TTC within the next year (sooner actually) because it just takes up too much space and LO is old enough to just use an umbrella stroller. People asked about what would we do for the next one? I just plan on getting something I like more.

[bluebirdiemama]

When will you be moving? If you will have space for storage soon, I would save everything you will use again. Maybe there is space under your bed, or under your couch where you could keep it for the time being? so you don't have to look at it.
All the things you are certain you will not use, I'd try to sell. We always need cash for something. Maybe some of it would just be better off gone.

[mkksmom]

Well, I have two girls 5 years apart, and I saved most of my stuff. We started to TTC baby girl #2 when ODD was 2, and it took a long time to get to baby#2. For me, it felt like giving up if I got rid of everything, but we had plenty of storage space, so it was no big deal. I should have gotten rid of the car seat. I'd maybe even get rid of the crib if it is a drop-side crib (check to see if it's been recalled first. Maybe you can get some $). The swing was great to have because I never would have bought another one (you can only use it for such a short time), but it was nice to have a place to put the baby down for a minute or 2. I loved my bouncer, so I saved that. I like having my highchair, but could have replaced that with one that attaches to a chair. I ended up using my floor gym a ton this time around for diaper changes and LO used to actually cry to be put down in the first few months (totally confused me- LOL). I could definitely do without my changing table. Didn't even attach the pad to the dresser/changer this time. I used a lot of the clothing as well.