Keep baby stuff if you're not sure about having another?

[Kymberley]

I want another child. Someday. I'm not sure if DH does or not, as he won't really discuss it now. In an effort to clear out the spare bedroom, aka the storage/junk room, I've come to the baby stuff and don't know what to do with it. The Eurotub, activity mat, all the feeding supplies, toys, jumperoo, swing, etc. are just sitting there. Do I suck it up and let it go, knowing that if we have another baby some day that we can replace it? We don't have a lot of storage space, so if I do keep anything it will probably stay right where it is, cluttering up an otherwise useful space. This is very hard for me. I am a packrat (see other thread), but I don't want to be one anymore. I need some guidance please.

[Jo]

I let all of the baby stuff go between kids. Never regretted it due to storage space and changing technology (new baby stuff is so much better than old baby stuff).

You cannot hold on to everything forever just in case.

[citymama]

Keep the stuff you love or that has sentimental attachment. Do NOT let that go. (Eg clothes and books) Let go of all the bulky, easily replaceable stuff like swings and bouncy seats.

[mctlaw]

I'd say we kept about 50% of our stuff, and we are finally having our 2nd DC 6 months from now (spacing will be 6 years). What I don't have, I gave away or donated, but I have no doubt that will come back to us in new/used gifts from friends and family.

[dec756]

just discussing this with bf!!!

i want to sell, he wants to keep

i will be consigning or ebaying most clothes but have sold gear as i it outgrown, or donated!

[Snow mom]

My DD will be 3 next month and I just started parting with the baby stuff. Some of it had been loaned out and returned but now I've given it away with no promise of return. I have a similar situation of lack of storage space. I sold the swing and high chair as soon as we were done with them. Just parted with the eurobath, bouncer, and playmat. Only hard to do in that I'd like a second but it isn't in the cards right now. We are likely to move across country before any more kids (and more kids is a question mark in itself) so that factored into the keep/give away decision.

[mikala]

Do you have any pregnant friends that you could "loan" out the larger, unsentimental, items to? You may or may not get them back eventually but it will get them out of your house and increase the likelihood of good baby gear karma if/when you choose to have another.

[smiles33]

I vote get rid of it (either sell or donate!). There are SO many new enhancements/improvements to baby gear. For instance, with DD1 (who is only 3 years older than DD2), the baby swing ate up so many batteries but the one I bought for DD2 was a plug-in. For DD1, I used a Baby Bjorn for a couple months until she hit 15 pounds and it started killing my back and shoulders. I got a Beco Butterfly 2 for DD2 and used that for over a year!

I could go on....It's not just that you're saving storage space. Sell it now!

[Kymberley]

Well, it's almost all loaded up ready to go to donation. Hopefully I can go tomorrow. Thanks for the encouragement!

[SnuggleBuggles]

I kept it all. No way was I rebuying everything- that would have been a waste of $, imo. Oops- I see you decided to donate! GL!

Beth