Did you keep your baby's baby clothes?

[M24L]

Literally the title.

I have 2 DDs one is 9 and one just about to turn 1.

I kept everything from DD1 hoping to have another child, 8 years passed and I finally had another DD. BUT I didn't use any of DD1s stuff for DD2 we Literally started again from scratch.

I'm now currently clearing out DD2s wardrobe for the second time before changing everything to 1 year and above and the attachment I have to her stuff feels slightly ridiculous. I already have 2 black bags full of 0-6 hid away in the cupboard.

I would like another baby but I am not in any rush and with previous circumstances I dare say I wouldn't use the same stuff.

I just feel like when you get rid (wether it be passing it on to someone, charity etc) it's like closing that chapter and I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye to the baby stage yet haha.

So, what did you all do?

I used my daughter's baby clothes for my son and then when he was finished with them I gave them away, some to friends, some to strangers. I kept the first knitted cardigan that they both wore home from the hospital, but I wasn't sentimental about all the everyday clothes. A lot of what we used was second hand for my daughter anyway, passed on from her cousins.
Styles and tastes change and I think people don't usually want 10+ year old baby clothes beyond a few really special items.

Kept from DS1 to DS2 then everything went to DSis (who had a girl but took a robust line that clothing didn’t need to be for one sex or the other for babies (and indeed still does for tracksuit bottoms, plain T-shirts etc). Am a bit confused by the idea of trends in baby clothes…but I never did outfits for either DS, so maybe that’s it?

I had a boy then a girl 20 months later. I bought quite a bit second hand for both, but I don't think my daughter wore much of my sons clothes, people tend to gift clothes, especially for a girl.
Since then (they are late teens) I've kept two or three outfits from each from when they were babies. Not the dressy ones but the ones that evoke a special memory.

I kept everything that was still in good condition from DD1, from newborn to the age 4-5 clothes she’s just outgrowing. DD2 is 7 months and I’ve used pretty much everything I’d kept. She did get a fair few gifts of clothes from newborn to 9 months, but I’ve been really strict with what I’ve bought her myself - just a few outfits I’ve seen and really loved, or things like vests that I was a bit short of (DD1 was partial to a poonami). I’m a bit gutted that DD1’s gorgeous furry winter coat will be the wrong size for DD2 to wear it.

Every time DD2 has gone up a size I’ve gone through DD1’s things first, then made a list of what she still needs. The outgrown size I’ve then gone through straight away, sold the posher stuff on eBay, donated most to charity, let DD1 pick a few bits for her dolls, and I’ve kept some special neutral things for my siblings who are planning DC soon. I’ve only kept DDs’ very first babygrows, the little hats they wore in hospital, and I have DD1’s first pair of shoes. That to me is enough for sentimentality and not too much to store.

Having said that, I know without a doubt I am done having babies so it’s been easy getting rid of things. If I was contemplating another I’d be keeping them again. However, if you haven’t re-used any of your firstborn’s what’s the point in keeping more whether you have another or not? I understand finding it hard to let them go, but as a PP said, what use are they in black bin bags? Realistically how often are you going to get them out and look at them all? They’ve served their purpose now.

I just passed it on when outgrown. I was given a lot of it second hand myself.

I've probably kept too much, but I've kept lots of the high quality clothes. I dress my DC quite traditionally, so goodness knows if it will be in fashion in years to come, but I'd love to pass on some of the beautiful jumpers and handmade dresses to any potential grandchildren!

My DCs are 39 and 42. I've still got a few of their baby clothes and have kept their first shoes. They're in a box in the loft. I probably look at them about once every two or three years. Not sure why I'm hanging onto them.

I also have quite a few of their toys still, which have been played with by the grandchildren.