You can never underestimate the amount of baby stuff a new baby brings into your home, all the normal stuff such as prams, cots, change mats etc but then you also add bouncy chairs, walkers, bouncers that hang from the door, baby carriers, car seats, high chairs, baby baths, blow up rings and feeding pillows, the list is just endless.  My house felt like it was half the size and it was hard to get around without walking into something or tripping over.

As the years go by and your babies grow up into toddlers and then go to school you can slowly get rid of that equipment.  The question is, what do you do with it all?  Of course if you are planning more children in the future, the likely hood is that you will store all the baby stuff ready for the next one comes along.

If you aren’t planning anymore children, you will probably want to get rid of a lot of this equipment, but the question is how do you go about it?

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Baby equipment can be very expensive and you may feel that you want to recoup some of the money you spent, by selling it on.  You can do this by advertising in a local paper or magazine, taking it to a car boot sale or selling it online on an auction site.  You might find that you don’t make very much money, as I found that baby stuff, very new and in great condition didn’t actually sell for much.  Most people like to new for their first baby and then pass it down to other children that they have.  It seems that people who buy second hand baby equipment are on a very tight budget and don’t want to spend a lot.  However if you are selling several items is can add up to a reasonable amount.

If you are not worried about making any money back you could give or loan items to friends that are expecting babies.  I think most people are happier using second hand equipment if they know where it has come from.

If you want to donate it to a good cause charity shops quite often accept baby stuff if it is in good condition, so that could be another option.  We have a co operative recycling centre nearby us that sells on things; they have a lot more space for larger items of equipment.

It is worth considering when you first buy your baby equipment, how much use you are going to get out of it, whether you really need it and also if it’s more sensible to buy second hand instead of new.  You might also thing about what you will do with it when you have finished using it.  You might decide that it’s not actually sensible to spend huge amounts of money on baby stuff you might never use.

I have children myself and I write about products and tips which are useful to parents, they cover making life less fuss and more fun, saving time and getting out and about with young babies and children.  Some of my articles are interesting but they try to have a bit of fun and laughter about them.
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As a parent to a new baby, you’re likely seeing life with a whole new set of eyes. While your feelings of unconditional love and devotion are quickly changing your perception of the world, it’s certainly not a stretch to confess that just about every detail in your life has gone through a major transformation. Beyond the dramatic changes to your sleeping pattern, your work schedule, and your lifestyle, your home has likely had a facelift as well. Your once clean and organized surroundings have been overtaken by the insurmountable items that your tiny bundle requires. And, while it seems inevitable that your baby is only going to need more things as he or she grows, you’ve quickly realized that your bank account is dwindling. Fortunately, many other parents have been there before and have survived by opting to rent baby equipment, supplies, and products from reputable online companies.

The Growth Factor: All new parents share the same surprising reaction when they realize that a baby doesn’t stay tiny for long. Somehow, between the baby’s first days out of the womb to the days of first words and first steps, time slips away. As the days turn into weeks and then months, your baby will outgrow everything from clothes and toys to playpens and highchairs at a shocking rate. Rather than putting your pocketbook through round after round of new sizes and products, consider renting items that your baby will outgrow quickly. Out with the Old, In with the New: Let’s face it. Although a new baby is welcomed and celebrated, you’ve likely scoffed at the amount of space you’ve had to give up to make room for your new addition. Why fill your closets with safety gates and high chairs that the baby won’t be able to use for the first few months? Similarly, why unpack new baby accessories only to put old, outgrown items away to collect dust? By renting, you can save the storage space and begin a more logical cycle of renting only what you need, when you need it. You’ll be amazed at both the cost and space savings that will follow.

Travel with Ease: Having a baby shouldn’t restrict you from getting out of the house. In fact, you’ll likely welcome the opportunity to travel with the baby, showing him or her off to new places and new faces. If you thought packing was a hassle in the past, you’re in for a rude awakening now that you have a child as a travel companion. But, like most things in life, there’s always an easier option. Rather than loading your pack-n-play, high chair, and swings, contact a company that specializes in baby gear rentals and have all your baby equipment needs sent right to your destination. If your travel plans take you to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, ask your parents to become familiar with baby rental options near their home. They’ll jump at the opportunity to make their grandchild’s visit easier for everyone. And, because new locations often mean different climates and new sightseeing opportunities, renting is once again a better choice than buying new. For example, if you’re traveling to warm weather, you might opt to rent everything from a sandbox and toys to a safety gate that will allow the baby to take advantage of the warmth of the outdoors. Or, if you’re headed on a mountain adventure, rent a hiking pack specifically designed to carry your miniature companion.

Benefit from your Baby’s Belongings: Unless you’re willing to host one garage sale after another, chances are that your outgrown baby items will one day need to find a new home. After all, you’ll have to make room for all the “big kid” items your child will soon demand. Once again, the rental market is the logical and economical answer. Online rental companies make it easy for you to make money by renting your old baby items to others. Rather than letting your old items grow mold in the basement, list them on an online site and make money by passing on the benefit of your item to another new parent. Save your parenting adventures for the real challenges of teething and potty training rather than late-night budget crunches and endless shopping trips. When you open yourself and your baby up to the rental world, you’ll soon find that your options become as bountiful as your joy.

Maureen is an accomplished independent writing and editing professional.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/parenting-made-easy-baby-equipment-rentals-1697984.html

As a parent to be, its very easy to spend huge amounts of money on those essential pieces of nursery equipment which you think you will need to get you through those early days. But you really have to wonder how essential are ‘the essentials’? Parents with toddlers will be more than aware of just how much money is wasted on baby equipment which is supposed to simplify and ease the process of parenting but is in fact never really used!

According to most parenting magazines, one of the ‘essential’ pieces of furniture which ‘every nursery should have’ is a changing station. Before you go running to your local baby shop or searching for the cheapest deal online to get yours, save yourself the hassle, cost and effort of buying, using and having a changing table and consider the following facts:

• Changing your baby on an elevated surface can be dangerous. The SAFEST place to change your infant / toddler is at floor level.
• A changing table / workstation can cost from £80 upwards depending whether you wish to have a basic table or one which matches with a particular theme / brand name.
• A changing table takes up valuable room in your nursery / bathroom
• A changing table is simply another surface which can harbour germs and needs to be cleaned regularly!

So what you essentially want is a baby changing mat / waterproof sheet / towel to lay your child upon comfortably (on the floor), a packet of wipes/ cotton wool and water and finally a clean nappy.

For simple storage simply tuck your changing mat under the cot or perhaps down the side of the sofa for ease and accessibility during the day.

By simply using a changing mat on the floor you will find it is now more convenient to change your baby in any location as the mats are light and easy to transport. The price of a changing mat is fairly cheap and therefore you could even splurge and buy almost ten for the price of one changing table, that’s one for every room of the house and probably a few more for the car too!

If you are adamant that you must have a designated changing surface, then the best option has to be a baby cot top changer. It simply sits across the cot /cot bed forming a secure work surface. Please note that the cot top changer should have a safety buckle or strap which is secured to the top rail.

Unlike the changing station, the cot top changer can be stored away without taking up vast amounts of space and its a fraction of the price!

Save yourself from wasting the ‘real essentials’ (money, time, effort, space, safety risks and more) and don’t bother with a changing station!

Childs Play Sussex is an online baby and nursery store with several years experience selling infant products. We are putting together a series of informative articles to aid parents when making important decisions about the pros and cons of different products.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/do-you-really-need-a-baby-changing-station-1527094.html

A diaper bag is an essential piece of baby equipment, and you should never leave home without it. Diaper bag back packs are a convenient type of diaper bag that can be carried by either Mom or Dad. 

When choosing a diaper bag, you need to find a good balance between design and functionality. Several high-end designers are now producing diaper bags, popular with trendy moms. However, practicality should never be a victim to style, as a diaper bag is a hugely practical item. 

Back pack diaper bags have the advantage of leaving both hands free when taking your diaper bag with you, and we know that parents never have enough hands! Fathers are also more likely to be happy to wear a back pack diaper bag than carry one. 

When choosing your new back pack diaper bag, look for universal design fabrics that the dad would be happy to wear. You can buy fancy, feminine designs and also masculine ones; they even come in camouflage fabrics! Of course, you could get one each and keep everyone happy. 

Avoid the mistake often made by first time parents who buy a diaper bag that is too small. Remember that a diaper bag needs to be able to carry diapers, wipes, changing mat, creams, bottles, solid food, toys, books, spare clothes, a warm top and sometimes lots more. A diaper bag is actually a first aid kit, spare wardrobe, portable bathroom, suitcase and entertainment center all rolled into one bag. It needs to be spacious. 

The best diaper bags have lots of pockets of different sizes in which you can stash all the smaller items. Nothing is more frustrating than scrabbling around inside a huge bag for a small item. Look for bags that have both inside and outside pockets, as there will be things you need in a hurry that can be stored in the outside pockets. 

Some parents opt for two diaper bags; one is large for whole day trips and the other is smaller for short trips. This is the one you grab when you just have to dash to the shops to get something for dinner. The back pack diaper bag is ideal for both these sizes, and convenient too because it doesn’t need to be carried in your hand or over one shoulder. 

Some recommendations you read might tell you about stroller diaper bags, daddy diaper bags and messenger diaper bags. These are great for one specific purpose but the diaper bag back pack does all jobs in the one bag. It can ride on the stroller, be worn by daddy or be slung over a shoulder.

A Diaper Backpacks are an essential piece of baby equipment, and you should never leave home without it. More info to make your backpack purchase easy as pie, now on http://www.diaperbackpack.org

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/diaper-bag-backpacks-1452171.html