Hoarding Baby Gear?

[JustTrying]

I have one child who is not yet 1-year-old. I've been saving all her baby gear with the plan that we can use it for our potential 2nd child. We have a large enough house that we CAN save our baby gear, but it really is getting a bit excessive and cluttering things up. I'm also not really sure I even want a second child!

When it comes to baby gear, how did you choose what to save and what to donate/sell? On the one hand, it seems mustachian to save things for the 2nd child. On the other hand, there may not even be a second child, and the gear is taking up space!

[firelight]

Can you loan it to friends that need it? It's out of your house and they'll get to use it. And you'll get it back when you have the second one

[firelight]

Also most baby gear is available for cheap that you can let Craigslist store it for you if you are fine with it.

[MayDay]

I stored like half a closet worth (small regular sized closet, not giant walk in closet).

For clothes, I definitely tended to get rid of them as it is so cheap to acquire new.

For gear like bouncy seat, play mat, etc, I folded it down pretty small and kept it as we were pretty sure we would have another.  Kind of depends how sure you are on wanting another baby. I didn't want to have to acquire the stuff again just from a time standpoint. Not worth the hassle when we had empty closets.

But boy was it joyful to toss it all as my second child was done with stuff!

[PharmaStache]

If you are waiting a few more years, get rid of anything that you don't love or that has been excessively drooled on (and can't be properly cleaned). 

[I'm a red panda]

I'm having this problem too. I'm almost certain I won't be able to have another child, yet I hate to let go of things that I might need again!
We have plenty of room, so no big deal- but I'm not sure when to admit I don't need it anymore!

No helpful advice, just it isn't only you...

[Milizard]

We have a large, unfinished basement. We just threw it all down there.  We had a 2nd just 2.5 years later.  Then, we had some garage sales as the youngest outgrew stuff.  I dragged my feet a little bit on this, as I kind of wanted a third, but eventually gave up on the idea.  Most of the big baby gear is gone now, and it's wonderful when it does!  Still having more garage sales as our kids outgrow clothes and toys.

[JustTrying]

Yes, I think I need to let it go! I think I'll at least go for the Craiglist idea so I can hope to make a little money!