Sharing is caring, right?

That’s the thing that crosses my mind when I think about giving away old baby stuff since my little one is not so little anymore. You might have always dreamed of having only one child, and now when they are almost about to climb up the steps on the first day of primary school, it feels like there won’t be the need for that adorable blue onesie in which they made their very first steps.

So what do you do? Throw it away? Give it away? Store it? Or is there another option?

Allowing things to just keep piling is far from practical but making a final decision about what to do with them can be mind-boggling for young mothers who already have thousands of things on their minds.

So, we propose asking yourself the following things:

Can I replace it?

We bet that during the pregnancy, you spent most of your days flipping through parenting magazines, reading product reviews and expert advice trying to decide on the best baby products to buy.

Just think about it – do you think you could go through it again? Especially if you’re planning to have another one, you’re bound to be in need of most of those things.

Baby clothes, for instance, can be quite difficult to get rid of, since not only can they be quite expensive, but they usually have a sentimental value. And when it comes to maternity clothes – bear in mind that it will be quite difficult to find items that will be specific to you, that will fit your size and style, so it’s always smart to keep them stored in case you need those maternity jeans again.

For this reason, in the case of clothing items, we say – keep them!

On the other hand, a bassinet, diaper genie, swing, or changing bed are quite simple to replace, the only question remains – how much did you pay for them and are you ready to splurge again if need be?

Do I have a room for storage?

If you live in a big house with a space for storage, you’re not really in that much trouble. You set aside one weekend to pack up all the things you no longer need, and store it away for… well, for however long you wish.

Those who feel cramped in a small apartment without a room to spare for old baby stuff can always look for secure storage solutions and have their valuables safely locked at a remote location.

Is there anything I can sell

Once you sort it all in your mind (and in the boxes), give away some of the things you are ready to say goodbye to to your friends who are about to go through the experience for the first time.

Take a look at the boxes you are left with –  if you’re certain you won’t use them again, why not sell them online and earn a few bucks for the next chapter of your little one’s life? You can even group some items in lots for sales and maximise the bidding potential. Alternatively, you can organise a garage sale and pleasantly surprise your neighbours.

Too many “just in case” boxes can clutter your home that you always wanted to be rather minimalist. Still, many don’t understand that sorting out the baby stuff is not the hard part – it’s sorting out your thoughts and feelings about a certain clothing item, toy, or a piece of equipment. Sometimes it’s the memories, not the thoughts of the future.

What did you do with your old baby stuff? Share with us in the comments.