I Saved P74K Because I Kept These Baby Gear For My Next Child

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Let's face it: baby items are not cheap. In fact, they often cost more than the things mom and dad own. If you are a parent with one child and planning to have another, take it from me—there are baby items that you can sell early, but there are also those that worth keeping.

For context, my family of three used to live in a 24-sqm studio-type home, yet we managed to hold on to some baby items, knowing our next baby would use them. There were items I had to sell early so that other moms can use it at good condition, such as breast pump, sterilizer, and toys. Here are some of the essential baby gear that we kept and are now being used by my second child.

Big ticket baby gear to keep if you plan to have another child

Crib and play pen

We bought the Geofrey playpen from Giant Carrier, which can be folded and packed away in its carry bag. It comes with a changing table, and the mattress height can be adjusted. The sturdy metal frame is easy to fold and stays secure when set up. We originally chose fuchsia pink for our daughter, but now that we have a baby boy, the color doesn't really matter as long as it's still sturdy to hold him. Because it's foldable, we stored it behind our door, and when our second baby arrived, we simply cleaned it, and it's as good as new.

The playpen we bought for Php 8,000 in 2019 now costs Php 10,999 in Lazada. Imagine if we had sold it for cheap! We would have had to buy another one at a higher price.

High chair

We were very happy with our IKEA Antilop high chair, which we bought for our daughter in 2020 through a pasabuy seller (before IKEA had a store here). It's easy to clean, disassemble, and transport. When we bought it, the seller also included a customized bamboo foot rest for the high chair. We still have it today, and we only had to buy a new tray for my second child.

IKEA Antilop high chair with tray costs Php 990, and replacement tray costs Php 200.

Stroller and car seat

Because we live in a small home and had a small car, we invested in a high-quality and multi-functional Doona 2-in-1 stroller and car seat. I remember buying it around Php 24,000, but now it's priced at Php 26,999. Although it was tempting to sell it (since many of our friends who got pregnant wanted one), I was firm about keeping it. 

Now, it still looks like new, has never been in an accident (thank God), and I also kept its Rain Cover (Php 1000). I just bought a new newborn insert for my second child because I misplaced the old one (Php 1000). 

^{My two kids, and their one Doona.}

Hospital-grade breast pump

My husband got me the Spectra S1 hospital-grade electric breast pump because my firstborn was born premature and stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for 20 days. I rented it out to friends who needed it. We bought it at Php 15,000, and it's still with me. I wasn't able to use it this time because I delivered my second child full term. The battery still works well, and even if it eventually dies, I can have it replaced at the store where we bought it. New breast pump parts can also be purchased separately.

Other mom and baby essentials worth keeping for your next child

Wooden toys and books

My daughter has accumulated a room full of toys over the past five years, and I set aside those that my son could use, like wooden montessori toys, busy boards that she only used for a few times, and plush toys that were just kept inside the cabinet. 

I also never sold her board books, just shared a few with her friends. Now that my daughter can read on her own, it's an entirely different experience from when I used to read to her. 

Maternity clothes

During my first pregnancy, I bought a lot of long cotton dresses from Uniqlo that were both stylish and comfy. After returning to my pre-pregnancy size, I kept them in my closet. So on my second pregnancy, I simply took them out and had an entire maternity wardrobe again! I have about more than 10 pieces, so I saved roughly about Php 20,000 on maternity clothes. 

Hooded towels

If you have high-quality hooded towels, keep them for your next baby. A single towel made of 100% cotton towel costs around Php 500 these days, and you'll only need about three for your baby. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before reuse. 

Go ahead and sell these:

Baby clothes: Fabric deteriorates overtime. It's better to give/donate them as soon as your child outgrows them. 

Baby bottles, feeding bowls, utensils: Nipples turn yellow and wear out. If not stored properly, the bottles and feeding utensils might accumulate bacteria that's not safe for reuse. 

UV Sterilizer: If still covered by warranty, sell it while it's in good condition. The motor may also deteriorate over time.

Breast milk bags: Plastic eventually expires and can no longer be safely used. 

Creams, body wash, diapers: These are consumables with expiration dates. Donate extras to other moms who can use them right away.

Nursing bras: Over time, the elastic loses its stretch, and the fabric can break down. Stains may also lead to bacteria growth.

Bath tub: It’s bulky to store and not expensive to replace.

A final word

Reusing baby gear is a great way to save money and reduce waste. By keeping the right items, we saved up to Php 74,000 for our second baby! So if you are planning to have another child, consider keeping the essential items above.

If you are looking for a place where you can sell your other baby items, join the Smart Parenting Village Facebook group, and post your items for sale every Friday on Budol Biyernes.

Check out the Smart Parenting Awards 2024 products we love for babies here.