If you had an unexpected 3rd child...

[therealhoppityvoosh]

If you had an unplanned 3rd child was there anything you regretted not keeping for him or her?

Our youngest is nearly 7 months old. We also have a primary school-aged child too. I think our family is probably complete but I'm finding it difficult to say that for certain. I'm absolutely overwhelmed by all of the tiny baby clothes and items (crib, Moses basket, bouncer, play mats, etc), and I can't store them all "just in case" as that seems a bit ludicrous, so I need to get rid of them.

But before I have a clear out, I wondered if there's anyone who decided your baby days were over and then went on to have a 3rd and whether there were some things you wish you had kept after all.

Thanks.

My unexpected third was a twin so doesn't count but...

I'd get rid of anything that's bulky and fairly easy to replace second hand if necessary so moses basket, baby bouncer etc.

Go through each age of clothes, get rid of socks and vests and keep anything that makes you smile, then whittle it down to no more than 5 of any item in any one size.

Toys get rid of anything that is developmentally behind them and anything they aren't interested in.

Not really. I’m expecting my third child, which was planned although after the second I was quite sure we were done but later changed my mind. I’ve got rid of pretty much all the baby equipment and maybe about 50% of clothes. In a way I’m glad I did as I’ve moved house and didn’t have to move it all with us. I am happy to buy most things second hand so it won’t cost a huge amount to replace.

My DC3 wasn't unexpected but we weren't sure it would happen due to age and losses in the past, and we had a house move in-between. What I am glad I kept was 'special' baby outfits, nothing fancy but just baby grows etc that the older two had worn and that we had pictures of them in, so DC3 could wear them as well. The older two like it as well, seeing the baby in clothes they have seen themselves in in photos, it builds a nice connection.
I kept a lot of reflux stuff - foam wedges etc which thankfully DC hasn't needed, but not sorry I did as you never know!

Can you find someone to lend them to for now?

@DressedUpAtAnIvy

Can you find someone to lend them to for now?

Yes, we have family members expecting a baby in the new year but I don't want to necessarily say "can we have these back when you're done?" as we might look a bit grabby trying to flog them on or they might think we definitely do want another child, which is far from the case. It's hard saying goodbye to the baby years!

Thanks for the advice about bulky items and special items too!

I don’t think to, to be honest. I passed all DC 1&2s baby clothes on to a friend, which I found much easier than putting to a charity shop for some reason. I did keep my Moses basket, which I used as an ironing basket between children. But I think mostly I saw just how much unnecessary stuff I had for the older 2. I borrowed almost everything for DC3, so it was easy to just hand it back when we were done with it. I had kept a favourite outfit or two from each child, and again was nice to use, but fashion had really changed in 10 years, the clothes now are cut much slimmer, especially trousers.

@SaintDrogo

I don’t think to, to be honest. I passed all DC 1&2s baby clothes on to a friend, which I found much easier than putting to a charity shop for some reason. I did keep my Moses basket, which I used as an ironing basket between children. But I think mostly I saw just how much unnecessary stuff I had for the older 2. I borrowed almost everything for DC3, so it was easy to just hand it back when we were done with it. I had kept a favourite outfit or two from each child, and again was nice to use, but fashion had really changed in 10 years, the clothes now are cut much slimmer, especially trousers.

This is good to read. I shall try to be brutal and get rid of most things.

I was lent quite a few things by people unsure if they would have another baby, it didn’t seem grabby to me at all. I definitely think there’s a way to phrase it.