baby bunching Q/A: organizing/storing the clothes

Q: Any suggestions for organizing/storing baby clothes - who knows when the next one might be coming along.

A: Over the years we have both learned that organizing is a very personal thing. What works for one person may not work for another. However, there are a few things that will determine how you store clothes after a child has outgrown it, and help make it easier for you to organize in that way that works best for you.  

1) Are you planning for more babies after this one? If you're planning for more kids, keep the item if it still looks wearable. If you're on the fence about more kids, we recommend you still save it for a little while if you have the room, especially for items that look almost new.

2) Is your next in line the same gender? If the child is the same sex, keep the item even if the seasons may be off as you never know. If the child is a different gender, make a determination. My daughter was perfectly happy to wear all her brother's overalls and even some of his jeans/shorts. (In the future, you might try more gender-neutral clothing for big-ticket items like coats or even jeans.)

3) Does this article of clothing look like it could be reworn? (i.e. Does it have sweet potatoes stains all over or does it still smell like vomit even after you wash it?) Yes, keep it. No, toss it

Here are a few of our tips to help you organize your clothes:

• Bins, bins, bins! Invest in a few plastic bins with lids to stash in your kids' closets. Linda prefers these from the Container Store because they are all see through, fit on the top shelf of the closet and vary in size a bit, but they all still stack. All her kids out-of-season clothes now rest in these because they are easy to access on the off chance that it's hot or cold mid season. Find bins that work right for your closet and household needs. 
• Label everything. You must label them by size (0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.) even if it's with Post-In notes. Toss clothes in there for the next child when they become too small for the oldest.  Don't worry about neatly folding the clothes, but labeling the bins is critical – even if it is just with a marker or piece of masking tape.  Be sure you have washed the clothes and removed stains. 
• When the bin is full, store it elsewhere--if you like--so it's not taking up excess room.  In Cara's case, as her kids got older she found there was only a few months gap between when they got tossed in the bin and worn by the next child, labeled “Next Season’s Clothes, Both Boys." Toss all hand-me-downs, as well as any end of season sale purchases for the next year, in the bin and pull it out at the beginning of each season to inventory what you have for each kid and what you still need.  This also provides easy access to the occasional jacket or shorts needed in the off-season.  
• To keep it all under control, use a little system called 'Purge and Pass.'  In addition to the hand-me-down bin, have another bag for give-aways or consignment items. 

The trick is to develop a system that works for you. Be ready to change as kids get older and you find they are able to wear shorts for three summers. Yes, that day will come. So you'll be less purging and more rotating things. That is the time when you can spend a bit more to get clothes that might actually last through more than one season.

Comments

[Jean Comeau]

It doesn't take long for baby clothes to pile up and if we are weel organized, it saves a lot of time especially if we have to change baby often.

[Jenni]

I love those vaccuume storage bags. I keep on in the closet for each kid and put stuff in them as they out grow it.

[Autism spectrum]

All ur ideas are brilliant ,I feel very glad to visit ur blog coz me soon going to be a mom its really very helpfull for me.. www.vivamagonline.com Very necessary to keep baby clothes in a safe way...

[Kids shoes]

According to me, you shared really useful suggestions and ideal way to shopping and keeping clothes for our little baby.

[Girls Clothes]

Your Ideas Are Seriously Brilliant!

[Caterina Ray]

I have been having a hard time finding clothes for my daughters. Especially girls clothing , that is trendy, but still at an affordable price. However, I was online and discovered Aeropostales website and they have so much.

[tyranid]

Organizing our things not only our is very important. Finding the things are easy if our things are organize. When it comes to our kids clothing if we are planning to have a baby after the one, keep the clothes that still wearable.

[SEO Pakistan]

this is one of the most awesome comments i have got to read!