Going through my babies clothes, don't want to get rid of them but unlikely to have another child

[Hungrycaterpillarsmummy]

Trying to get tidied up and one job is the baby clothes. My boy is 11 months now and I have a lot of 3-6 and 6-9 to put to charity or sell or give away etc etc But I find as I am folding them that I just don't want to! It's silly because we are not likely to have another baby but I feel a lot of emotion thinking about putting them out of the house.
We swing to and fro trying to decide but ultimately I think we won't go for a third child.

I know I could have the clothes made into some patchwork quilt but then that seems wasteful as the clothes are perfectly good for another child or two to use!

Did anyone else go through this dilemma and what did you do?!

Nothing wrong with keeping a few of your favourite items for sentimental reasons.

I have a bag of the really tiny stuff both my boys wore. But honestly I just want to keep it alllll!

Omg I think I am broody

I’ve still got a couple of favourite tiny things and one each of their first shoes - dds are 42 and 45!

They won’t go until I do.

Oh I feel this! Currently solving it as we got a huge lot of hand me downs from friends who are unexpectedly expecting their 3rd so we have returned them. I have found the other bits I've passed on give me the fuzzies when I see a niece/nephew in them, so it is nice to see them get used. And the nice thing with those is if we did happen to go for another baby we could request them back if still in good shape etc.

I'd do an initial sort through, some will just be standard clothes to pass on, some will be extra cute and have nice memories which you could sit on for a bit, and a few are very precious that you can keep forever

Aw hehe it's so sweet. know, I will be like this too!

Yes I guess I do need to put my head before my heart. Try and whittle it down but it's hard! He was super cute in everything 🤩

I still have loads in the attic. I don't care! I sort of imagine that I might be able to view them with a bit less emotion at some point. Youngest is 4 next week and it's not really happened yet!

I was exactly the same. I had to be very strict with myself. I went through them all and just kept the best, the ones my mum or gran had knitted and the ones with special memories like a Christening outfit etc. Put in one of those underbed storage bags with lavender bag in. If they want any for their children, if they have any, they can have them or I'll just keep them. My mum kept a few of mine that my dd wore

Well we don't have much space at all but I think I may have to bag them and put them in the attic.
I have just had visions of keeping it all to give to my boys when/if they have a family.
I can see the MN thread now "MIL wants us to use all the baby clothes she had for DH, AIBU?" Haha

If you have an attic and are unlikely to move, there’s nothing wrong with simply wrapping it up and keeping it for 20-30 years. My aunt did that and when I had DD was able to gleefully produce a pile of lovely baby clothes.

If you don’t have the space to keep them, wither charity shop or ebay.

It’s so hard I know. 😭

Yes @pepsirolla my granny has knitted a tonne of jumpers for them and I was really struggling with those. I think I have to keep those don't I?! They are just so sentimental

I have a baby dress here. My baby is 40. I think I need to let go...

The house we moved to has nooooo storage even the attic is just tiny access things really nothing substantial. We are likely to move again

Aw no keep it! You've kept it so long already :)

I was thinking about this yesterday. Baby 3 is 6mo and I’m looking forward/happy to get rid of her stuff. The same thought was so sad and horrifying after DC2!! I REALLY wanted a 3rd and 4 years later decided to go for it. Am 100% done now and feel so differently. You don’t have to get rid yet anyway, or at all. Make some of them into a quilt?

I kept all mine. Just incase and couldn't bring myself to throw away. Ended up having a surprise 3. Used the clothes again. Gave me such a joy.

I kept lots, then had a beautiful big patchwork quilt made out of her favourite pieces.

I wasn't overly sentimental over clothes but had always taken lots of photos of my kids wearing the stuff so I figured I'd always have those to look at.
For sentimental items in general I allow myself 1 box (not including photos) and once it's full I need to decide if the new thing I want to keep is more "deserving" of a place in the box than anything else.

So you can decide how much space you have to dedicate to sentimental items, always keep your absolute favourites, and no guilt because the box sets the limit from now on :)

Giving the excess clothes to a baby bank or women's shelter might give you the extra feel good factor if you are in the position to give rather than sell.

Good luck!

It is really difficult but your kids will absolutely not want 30-year-old baby clothes when they have their own children.

Keep a few pieces and get rid of the rest. I think what helped me get rid is thinking how much more difficult they’ll be to part with in 10/15 years etc and theyll literally just be sitting there collecting dust and taking up room.

Aw that quilt is lovely @incognitodorrito 🥰

That's not necessarily true @DuckTails - my DD is wearing some of my 34 yo baby clothes 😊

Good idea @EdHelpPls
I do have a box per child so I could easily implement that!

@duck
Yes I know they won't want it really and you are right, it'll be harder to get rid.

But now I see all the pps knowing folk with a third baby maybe this is a sign I need to have number 3 😀

It's so hard to decide. We are looking forward to the children getting older, things get easier etc but then having 3 or 4(!) Would be lovely too. Albeit expensive!

What I did was pass on things that were generic or weren't particularly special.

Then a couple of years ago (so about 10 years later) I went back and got rid of much more because it isn't as sentimental as it was.
I've still got a few boxes, although a certain amount is my handmade clothes for them.

On the flip side sometimes it's really nice to see things you liked being used by another child.
There's a dress my friend gave me, it started with my friends sister, then her two nieces, then my two and has gone on to another.
Also a walking and for next kids clothes.

Yes I can imagine itd be great to see other children in them