Babies grow up fast. Before you know it, you have a huge pile of clothes they can’t fit into, a car seat that they’re too big for, and a whole lot of baby toys that don’t keep their interest anymore. It can be tempting to get rid of everything as soon as you don’t need it anymore, but before you do, you need to ask yourself this question: are you going to have another kid?
If the answer is “yes,” or even “maybe,” then you shouldn’t get rid of everything just yet. While it will make sense to get rid of some things and repurchase them as needed, there are several things that you should definitely hang on to and use when it’s time to have another baby.
Here are the things we recommend storing so you can use them with baby number two.
Car seat.
A car seat can be a significant expense, so it will benefit you to get as much use out of your infant seat as you can. If you opted for a seat that can only hold an infant (that is, it isn’t convertible and doesn’t grow with your child), you should still hang onto it so you can use it when the next baby comes. Make sure, however, that you don’t use a seat past its expiration date. Most seats last a good 7-10 years, so it shouldn’t be a problem, but always double check.
Nursery furniture.
Do you really want to go through the process of buying all new baby furniture—again? Chances are, you did a good amount of research to find the best crib, rocker, and changing table for your new baby. As long as these items are in good shape after using them with your first baby, you should definitely keep them in storage until they’re needed again.
(Some) clothes.
Clothes are a tough one. You probably invested quite a bit into your baby’s wardrobe, but a lot of those clothes have probably been stained or otherwise damaged over the course of your baby’s short (but messy) life. Here’s what we recommend: keep a sentimental outfit or two (to set aside as a keepsake); throw away anything that’s substantially stained or damaged; donate items you simply don’t like or never used; and store the rest. This will save you some storage space while also getting your next baby’s wardrobe off to a good start. Make sure you separate gender neutral clothes from the gender specific ones, just in case your next baby is a different gender than your first.
Swings, rockers, play mats, and other “gear.”
Hanging on to larger items will save you money down the road. As long as your baby gear is still in good shape, there’s no reason to get rid of it. The biggest problem with these items is that they can be bulky and awkward to store, as most of them don’t fold flat or compress well. This is definitely where a self storage unit comes in handy, as it gives you a place to store items like these that is both safe and out of the way of your daily life.
Classic or favorite toys.
Baby toys can take over your house quickly, and it can definitely be tempting to get rid of them as soon as your older child is done with them. However, we recommend holding on to certain toys. Classic toys, like blocks and rattles, will withstand the test of time and will be great to have on hand for your next baby. Any toys that your baby didn’t like (or that you didn’t like, for that matter) can be donated or passed on.
Things you can get rid of.
All the things listed above would probably be beneficial to hold on to, but there are plenty of things that are safe to get rid of as well, when your first baby is done with them. Most of these things are so easy and affordable to replace that it simply doesn’t make sense to store them. Here are a few.
- – Used pacifiers and bottle nipples
- – Bottle brushes
- – Infant bath products, lotions, or diaper creams
- – Bathing sponges or infant baths
- – Bath toys (often get water stuck inside and can become moldy)
– Worn out clothes or shoes
Growing your family brings a lot of changes to your house. Save yourself some time and money when your second baby comes along by keeping these items in storage instead of getting rid of them. With multiple kids, you’ll have much more important things to worry about, anyway.
Need a secure self-storage option in the Phoenix area for storing all these baby items? Arizona Storage Centers is here for you, with centers in Phoenix, Glendale, Gilbert, Chandler, and Deer Valley. We offer exceptional storage options and customer service, to help our customers through every stage of life. Give us a call at 480-386-6022 to learn more, or contact us through our website. We look forward to hearing from you!
