POPSUGAR
11 Ways to Give Baby Gear a Second Life
Aug 8 2014 - 11:41am
We spend a fortune on the latest, greatest baby gear [1], only to toss it out a year or two later. Not only does this mean throwing away sweet memories [2] but throwing away thousands of dollars as well. If you're sick of seeing your hard-earned money ending up in the trash, try upcycling some of the items from your baby registry. From formula dispensers to diaper pails, here are 11 ways to make your baby gear last just a little bit longer.
Source: Instagram [3] and Flickr [4]Instagram user mrs_mc_c [5]
Baby Crib
Cribs are the hardest things to toss, seeing as you use most of your baby budget to buy them. From desks to chalkboards [6], there are plenty of ways to give this piece of furniture a purpose after baby.
Source: Frosted Gardner [7]
Formula Dispensers
The canisters' dividers make them great for storing snacks in lunch boxes or, for those trying to get back in prebaby shape, protein powder.
Source: Instagram user tiffanychendry [8]
Baby Bottles
We understand wanting to throw out the endless supply of bottles. But we suggest keeping one around to store and dispense cooking oil.
Source: Flickr user shevoo [9]
Teething Rings
Stash a few teething rings in the freezer to act as an ice pack when your little one gets a bump, scrape, or bruise.
Source: Flickr user seanmfreese [10]
Baby Bathtub
Since your tot's tub doesn't take up that much space, use it as an under-the-sink storage organizer.
Source: Flickr user scottieT812 [11]
Diaper Bags
If you bought a stylish bag, there's no shame in using it once your tot is potty trained. It can also double as an overnight bag for your little one.
Source: Instagram user Kelly_22teichroeb [12]
Burp Cloths
The soft material makes burp cloths and bibs perfect for dusting the house.
Source: Instagram user keepeminstiches [13]
Nipple Cream
Once you move from breast to bottle, you probably won't have as much use for your nipple cream. But keep it in the medicine cabinet. Lanolin, the main ingredient in most creams, is great for treating diaper rash, loosening a stuck zipper, or getting rings off a swollen finger.
Source: Flickr user pamlovespie [14]
Baby Clothes
Babies tend to grow out of clothes weeks after we buy them. Donate some of the nicer ones, but keep a few around to use as outfits for dolls and stuffed animals.
Source: Instagram user teddybearunna [15]
Mattress Crib
Why toss out a perfectly comfortable mattress when you can turn it into a reading bench [16], dog bed, love-seat cushion, and so much more?
Source: Small + Friendly [17]
Links:
[1] https://www.popsugar.com/family/Must-Have-Baby-Gear-25058694
[2] http://moms.popsugar.com/Getting-Rid-Baby-Items-Emotionally-Trying-35089768
[3] http://instagram.com/
[4] http://flickr.com
[5] http://instagram.com/p/rZvlxymutN/
[6] https://moms.popsugar.com/How-Reuse-Your-Crib-22726226
[7] http://frostedgardner.blogspot.com/2010/11/crib-repurposed-magnet-board.html
[8] http://instagram.com/p/lIDryGv7aM/
[9] https://www.flickr.com/photos/shevoo/3386129399
[10] https://www.flickr.com/photos/seanfreese/6718606779/in/photolist-beGBHV-c9BTNb-ngcPsU-7QSLR7-ahUPGb-76v7Vs-73uaZB-73yb4Y-4AF71U-73yagW-7xLF7X-3qiSS-a4scd-6Gif7q-akz3PK-dgD1PU-dgD1Qd-85j2Nf-7AKo3-b1ZgZx-7jir8t-nxHqoh-7xLE2k-7xLC48-5gRgp3-a61yVv-nz6fxE-jYHHgt-y1bhm-4qgycr-8V8jwL-8mRchf-8Nmgtr-7TUrW-bEsKtV-8nQxSd-9mB23A-5P6WVb-EmnkH-4hbFrm-b1ZcpX-b65gPZ-5BrzwU-9cyZck-79YkZn-7xGDgA-7xCPTk-7xGDV7-8cgNnu-aHfTsz
[11] https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottiet812/3807384255/in/photolist-6NrQG8-jw5m8-eKDFvU-5HsdW5-c1Lkz-5QQcXk-mEVRf-5quP8R-9Gbm1-9uyQRb-hwW71K-5bfz4y-4QjAwg-4XdA9G-5ignJ3-6D1B2j-D69VC-kgQ78-bwHSg-C7dvt-AWr2D-5Ro9AT-aA7eZ1-abdGnp-aoDKbS-9vJDUb-6WTDhE-7hB83R-7f1uz4-4tvWzV-9BS4QW-bwHWf-4hzhDt-73h3Q-tE7pd-H3uCQ-Uof82-5KMngn-eFEKg6-dQuSN-4taUcE-6oBR43-PW9gu-2CpgFr-7GMvLn-4y6gpf-4pz5xy-ss3go-7Tg9jt-3Gp37
[12] http://instagram.com/p/rVP7R9hKW_/
[13] http://instagram.com/p/rXTZoJqLpF/
[14] https://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlovespie/6735473909/in/photolist-bgc4Jv-dXdaZe-dXdb8T-4mk5xG-djwa1m-4yJPHt-6paNiU-6payBq-dUqge2-9WzwBD-7yw1Vp-bDi4Wt-bBTpf-9bRsVE-9YAKbE-4yBRX9-4yxBja-PKzRg-dyjEBu-dZQNtS-8mVXcv-bjvpu6-oeyp5u-oeTT4f-ow8JS7-oez9h1-oxWVQt-oehgWk-ovTAsR-7mo3gg-7mo3y4-3qw3V5-7mrWMd-7mo3f2-7mo3pV-7mrWVY-7mrWZq-7mo3kT-7mrWS9-7mrWXA-9upaG-8etmcn-bKm91k-uW2Kf-7jaobv-82moZm-85uAwD-ovGW6u-9vFKxr-oxLWVK
[15] http://instagram.com/p/rYmAe_wGTO/
[16] http://www.lilsugar.com/How-Reuse-Crib-Mattress-30831881
[17] http://www.smallfriendly.com/small-friendly/2012/02/diy-cozy-reading-fort.html
