Collaborative Post
I know you want to save every precious thing about your baby. You could never imagine a day would come when you didn’t want to revisit an old item from the time when your baby was just a tiny little doll.
Yet, there will be a time when you feel like you have set aside too much. And, yes, you will throw some stuff away.
They do grow up fast and then they are off to college before you know it. And, looking through old keepsakes is fun when you are faced with an empty nest.
In this article, I will give you some food for thought. Of course, feel free to disagree with any of these points as you may have some strong feelings about some items that mean less for me.
Milestone books
Verdict: Keep
Keeping track of all of your baby’s milestones is something you definitely want to keep. Years later, when the kids have grown, it is wonderful to read up on the milestones and remember them clearly.
If you don’t already have one, then baby milestones guide by Emma’s Diary is something to read before buying. In that article, you will see when your baby will unlock their achievements so you are ready for them to put into your book.
Homemade gifts
Verdict: Keep
It would be a shame to throw away something that somebody made for you and your little one. Those definitely need to find some space for and set aside.
Make sure to put them in their own box or bag that is clearly labeled so they don’t accidentally get thrown away.
Toys
Verdict: Keep Some
Keeping toys is very tempting. You want to keep every cute toy that your dear one ever played with.
One day, you will find yourself throwing away that old toy that has seen better days. Many of them, in fact.
The ones to certainly keep are the security toys. The ones that went through many different phases of your child’s growth. The ones that went to bed with them, to the park, the dentist and to grannies house and back. Those are the ones that will put a smile on your face when you revisit them years down the line.
They might even ask if you still have it somewhere so they can bring it to university with them!
Don’t forget that common household objects can make great baby toys too!
Baby gear
Verdict: Bin It
This is an easy one. Chances are you will never want to see that old baby buggy or car seat. That highchair lacquered with spinach puree will definitely not be coming out at Christmas to any fanfare.
Get rid of all of it. Flannels, stained baby grow suits and anything else that is not fit to be displayed should all be thrown away before it ends up at the bottom of a closet for years. It is going to be thrown away anyway so as soon as the baby outgrows any of this stuff, it should be thrown away.
I think every parent needs to read this, I was pretty good and have only kept certain little outfits but we have hundreds of cuddly toys I need to go through
I kept all the little bits, but have to say i gave the clothes away to a charity who collect to help new mums with no money.
Great advice there, I tried to pass on most my children’s things when they out grew them if they were in good condition.
I think this list is spot on. I found it really difficult to get rid of anything, but we ran out of space and I had to be tough with myself. I am glad I did a big sort out though.
These are great tips. We keep baby clothes and pass them on to the next child or give them to siblings or cousins with a newborn baby. Would you believe that the baptismal gown that I wore as an infant was also the same gown that all my children wore when they were baptized. That precious little piece of clothing was in perfect shape that even my grandson wore it to his baptism. Three generations and it survived! The stuff we throw away are plushies and other stuffed toys. We donate the other toys that the kids have outgrown.
I have kept milestone gifts and homemade presents my son made for me. I even have a tree decoration he made when he was in nursery and hes 22 now!
I’ve kept some of my girls special outfits and their favourite toys, so they can see them when their older. My mum did it for me and loved looking at it all when she pulled it fro, the attic.
I agree that you should keep things that are attached to memories like homemade things and milestone books x
I can imagine that all the baby things are very important for a parent, but it’s important not to clutter the house and decide to keep only the sentimental ones.
It’s a hard task parting with Baby things . My daughters doing this recently. She has a keepsake box for her most precious baby things. The rest she sends to charity as they always come in useful for someone else
Great tips. I have a keepsake box for all my children with precious items in it including homemade gifts and their first baby outfits.
I’ve got so much baby stuff sitting around and I find getting rid of toys so hard!
This are good tips! But instead of throwing away could always try and sell some items or give it away to charities or just give it off on Free cycle and someone else can still use it. But definitely, spinach puree stained chair made me laugh – definitely chuck!
Amazing advice, people often hold on to far too much stuff.
katie xoxo
Very useful advice in this blog. I am quite minimalist so I do not tend to hoard things and I am always pleased if someone else can make use of something I no longer need
It’s so tempting to keep everything, I think when you have a second baby it brings it into perspective a little more!
Can I also add recycle as much as possible even if its damaged too please. Charity shops can sell this on to companies who upcycle it and send it abroad
My kids are 4 and 2 and currently I’ve kept everything, just in case we have number 3… But I’m a bit of a hoarder so will definitely struggle to throw things away when the time comes!
There is some really sensible advice here.
Nothing worse than too much clutter, but also you don’t want to throw things away just for the sake of it x
great post! I am struggling to know what to do with some of my little boy’s stuff-it seems a waste to chuck in it in case we do have another child but it takes up so much space!
Good blog. Yes, have a good reason for anything which is kept. A memory box for each child allows for times of nostalgia.