Babies are messy!
Yes, I know what you are thinking. DUH, of course babies are messy! But I am not talking about the pooping and the spitting up. I mean they have/need a LOT of STUFF which then causes a mess around the house! There are swings for babies until they are about 25 lbs (about 6-9 mos), there are sit up toys for when babies can sit up on their own, and then there are the pull up toys for babies who are learning to stand.
Burp cloths are used when the babies are 1-3 months and when food is introduced, the bibs come out. Nipples have different flow speeds depending on the baby, and when solid foods are introduced, there are baby utensils, sippy cups, and special bowls and plates.
We need these different items to survive (I believe they used live-in grandparents to do this long ago). Swings lull the babies to sleep, while sit up toys keep them interested while building up their tummy muscles; and stand up toys, well, they help the babies stand up and then be brave to try walking. Babies who use porcelain plates or bowls are likely to drop them on the floor (out of experimentation) and regular silverware is too big for their little mouths.
So how do we manage organization with all the stuff that is only used temporarily and making the house messy?
PATIENCE , TIME, and SPACE
If you know you will only have one child, you can sell or donate the items when your baby is finished with them. There are many single mamas out there who would love to purchase the necessary baby items for a cheaper cost. Churches can benefit from donations in their nurseries or toddler Sunday school rooms. Make sure all items are clean and reusable before donating/selling.
If you know you will have more babies, find a storage unit, garage, attic, or water proof basement to store the items. Label bins and boxes with the item’s contents so you can find it later if you need them – again swing is used first and stand up toys later. If you do not have the space or money to keep the items, you can sell the item that is no longer needed and when you have another baby, you can buy the items second hand instead of brand new.
The key is to keep moving the stuff out when they are no longer in use.
- Separate clothes in bins according to age.
- Keep appliances, toys, and utensils in different containers.
- Stay on top of it or it will become overwhelming. When they are done, pack it and take care of it (donate, store, or sell).