Watching your little one grow up is the most rewarding thing in the world however it can, at times, also be heartbreaking, watching your baby turn into their own independent person.
One of the hardest days in any parent’s life is when their baby outgrows their baby clothes.
Traditionally speaking they would generally be put in a box in the loft or the shed to be visited once a decade but perhaps there are some more rewarding things that you could do with them, maybe this would help to create a bittersweet experience.
Donating your baby clothes to the less fortunate is a very rewarding way to dispose of them. It helps you to declutter and helps another little one to stay warm and safe.
However, even if you decide to donate there are still decisions to make such as, where? If you decide to donate to a charity shop try to think about what charities you are passionate about.
For instance, if you are passionate about helping to find a cure for cancer then perhaps consider a cancer chairty, if you are passionate about comabting animal cruelty then an animal welfare charity might be up your street, the decision is ultimatly yours.
It is also a good idea to bear in mind that second hand shops are not the only way that you can donate your old baby clothes.
Some charities ask specifically for baby clothes to pass on to children who are experiencing poverty or hardship. This could be a beautiful thing to do to help children at home or overseas.
Similarly, you could advertise them as ‘free to those in need’ on facebook and people who are really struggling could take them off of your hands.
This usually means using the baby clothes as materials to make a blanket or quilt. The beauty of this is that you don’t have to part with them and that you can continue to see them everyday.
If you are not really the crafty type, there are many people that run businesses offering this service. You simply send the clothes to them and they transform them into a blanket.
Getting to keep your favourite baby clothes and supporting a local business sounds like a win, win to us.
Sell Them
If you are strapped for cash or would simply enjoy having some extra cash then selling your babys old clothes is a great way of making money.
You could sell them locally on marketplace, which is a part of Facebook or you could sell them to those more further afield via Amazon or Ebay. There are also many other up and coming selling sites.
Save Them For Your Next Baby
If you know that you plan on having another baby in the future then consider keeping the baby clothes to reuse then. Hand me downs can not only be special and help you to reminisce but they can also save you lots of money in the long run.
If you are going to do this be sure to store them somewhere safe and not somewhere damp or dusty as both of these could be bad for the baby.
Also wash them before you give them to the new baby once you take them out of storage as this will stop your baby from breathing in dust particles or similar substances.
Recycle Them
Hopefully, by now we all know that recycling is very important. Over recent decades our environment has been put under more and more pressure and therefore it is suffering more than ever.
Therefore, it is more important than ever before to recycle things.
Your baby clothes will take years and years to decompose if they are not recycled and disposed of properly therefore this not only helps to declutter your house but also the whole environment.
There are recycling centres dotted all over the place but if you don’t know where your local one is simply have a look on google. Some charities will also pay per bag of recyclables and will recycle them for you, so, it might be worth having a look whether or not there are any of these in your local area.
Give Them To A Relative
If you have a relative who is expecting a baby then a great idea could be to give your baby clothes to them. This way you know that they are going to a good home and are going to be looked after.
You also might even get to see your relatives’ baby wearing them which is sure to bring a smile to your face. There is no greater feeling than helping a loved one, so what could be better than this?
Give Them To Your Child To Dress Up There Dolls Or Stuffed Toys
Dressing up their toys is a form of play that really helps to strengthen their imagination. Telling them that these are their old baby clothes could also bring some extra excitement.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what to do with your old baby clothes can be really difficult.
They hold a lot of sentimental value and can be difficult to part with but hopefully getting rid of them or reusing them in a purposeful way can help to ease the process for you.
Regardless of your situation at least a few of the above suggestions should be helpful. The most important thing is that you choose a route that you are comfortable with, good luck.
When thinking about clothing, there is so much to consider, such as sizing, the materials used, the quality of the products, and also how ethical they are. There is also the topic of fast fashion and its effects on the environment.
This is why I decided to set up our site Torly Kid, to provide parents and carers with the ultimate guide to everything related to children’s clothing and fashion. From the best outfits for crawling toddlers, to the prettiest dresses for tweens, we’ve got you covered.
