Getting rid of baby stuff

[EvelynTent69]

Hi. First time poster (well technically not as I used to be a member about three years ago but have no idea what my old username/ password was so have a new account). I have arranged this week for all the old Moses basket, cot and cotbed bedding, sleeping bags, Moses basket rocker, cot and other baby miscellany to be collected by a local charity this week. My "babies" will be 4 and 2 in May and are now in bunk beds. This is all fine except I feel a horrendous feeling of anxiety and dread that I'm giving away by babies' things. I am pretty broody for a third however my husband isn't keen and realistically, we can't afford another as I'm not working (I was made redundant just over a year ago while on mat leave and with the cost of childcare for two children under three, it just didn't make much sense to look for another job straight away) so I wouldn't get mat pay and it would be that much longer before I could get another job.
I think having two young children and not getting out much has meant that they are my whole life and as such it's a huge deal to get rid of their stuff. I feel like if I don't have the physical thing to remind me of that stage in their lives, I'll forget it. That sounds a bit stupid and I know that's not really the case, but I just wondered if anyone else has felt a really sick feeling at the thought of getting rid of baby things. I'm on the verge of calling the charity to cancel the pick up. I'm naturally a bit of a hoarder anyway whereas my husband is the opposite so he has no sympathy. Any time we have a row, they pretty much go along the lines of him saying I store too much clutter and me saying he doesn't do any housework so he's got no right to complain. I don't know if it's hormones and broodiness, normal sadness at the thought of my babies growing up, or my hermit-like existence sending me loopy but I just want to know if anyone else has had difficulty getting rid of their baby things. I actually think I'm going to cry on Thursday when they come.

[BlueChampagne]

Aww poor you - my Mum said she cried when she sold her pram. Think of the space you'll gain, and the other people who will benefit from your generosity. Take a few last photos.

[Gillian1980]

I've been brutal and have been getting rid if things the moment she grows out of it, with the exception of a couple of special outfits.

Within a week of her moving from Moses into the cot, the Moses was gone. She's in 3-6 month clothing now and all the newborn and 0-3 has gone.

I do feel a little sad about it and we do actually plan on having another in 2-3 years time, but we just don't have the space to keep it all.

Could you keep one or two of the more sentimental items only?

[EvelynTent69]

Oh wow, Gillian, that's amazing. I wish I could be like that. The problem is I seem to have developed an emotional attachment to everything! It's not even like we bought that much as we knew quite a few people who had older children so we got almost everything we needed passed to us for free or much cheaper than we would have done. The bedding was all new and the cot for baby number 2 but the Moses basket and everything else was at least second hand. I hope once it's all gone, I'll feel better. I just feel sick at the thought of it at the moment.

[Dandelionandburdock1]

Yes I felt the same, killed me to get rid of it all but didn't have the space.. Then 5 years later circumstances changed and have another one (number 3) and had to buy it all again!!

It's a very physical way of saying no more babies, but in reality if circumstances change, you can buy more. I've been much happier buying second hand baby equipment on local FB selling pages etc.

Do keep some things, I kept special outfits, so glad I did as number 3 is wearing them now and I kept some little blankets, etc which my daughter uses for her dolls.

If you do have room, a loft for instance, why not keep it a bit longer, or "lend" to a friend so that it's not so final?

[daydreamnation]

My dcs are 14 and 10 and I still have a huuuge pushchair in the attic that I can't be parted from. Why?! I also suggest that you keep a few bits, maybe the sleeping bags? Really though, I am not the person to take advice from

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Don't do it.
I have countless friends who have given away all their baby stuff, as they've "finished having babies" and then fallen pregnant again.

I'm keeping mine until I'm through the menopause (I'm already 48, so shouldn't be too long) just in case.