Parenthood is a journey that comes with a lot of excitement and anticipation, but also a hefty price tag. As a mother, I vividly remember the time when I was expecting my first child four years ago. My partner and I were overwhelmed by the sheer number of things we needed to buy for our baby’s arrival. From car seats to prams, from cots to baby monitors, the list seemed endless and the cost was astronomical.
At that time, we made the decision to purchase a Nuna travel system which cost us over £1,000. As my partner entered his credit card details, I could almost hear it gasp in shock. In addition to this, we also bought a cot from Aldi that could be attached to our bed and had a zip-down side panel for easier night feeds. However, we hardly got any use out of it and ended up upgrading to a bigger bed a few months later. We also had to quickly upgrade our car seat as our baby outgrew it in no time. This Joie Spin 360 car seat cost us around £170 and has been a lifesaver for us.
Looking back, I realize that becoming a parent is an expensive affair and if I could turn back time, I would definitely consider renting some of the big-ticket items instead of buying them outright. The idea of renting baby gear may seem unconventional to some, but it has its perks that are worth considering.
The first and most obvious perk is the cost-saving aspect. Baboodle, a baby rental site, offers a variety of baby items such as prams, cribs, carriers, feeding equipment, and play equipment. Most of these items are from expensive and popular brands that may not fit our budget. For example, the SnüzPod and Babyzen buggies, which retail at £199 and £340 respectively, can be rented at a fraction of the cost. According to the site, on average, customers rent £3,400 worth of equipment for just £66 a month in the first year. This translates to an annual cost of £792, which is significantly cheaper than what I paid for my travel system alone.
Another advantage of renting baby gear is that it saves you the hassle of finding a new home for these items once your baby outgrows them. As a busy parent, I barely have time to declutter my house, and as a result, our attic has turned into a dumping ground for unused baby items. Renting allows you to return the items once you no longer need them, saving you time and effort.
Lastly, renting baby gear is a more sustainable option. By reusing items that have been previously used and returned, you are reducing the impact on the environment. This is a small step towards creating a more eco-friendly world for our children.
I recently had the opportunity to rent a toddler tower from Baboodle and it made me realize the importance of trying out items before making a purchase. A toddler tower, also known as a kitchen helper, is a popular item that many parents swear by for involving their children in cooking and baking activities. I was on the fence about buying one for my almost four-year-old daughter, with the thought that my 15-month-old would also eventually be able to use it.
However, after renting it for a month, I realized that it wasn’t as useful as I thought it would be. In fact, my daughter preferred using our foldable step stool or a dining chair for her kitchen activities. Not only was the toddler tower bulky and difficult to store, but my youngest also tried to pull it down on herself a few times. We ended up returning it and sticking to our foldable step stool, which is lightweight and more convenient. This experience made me realize that sometimes, the things we think we need for our children may not be necessary or as useful as we thought.
I am not alone in this experience of purchasing unnecessary baby items. A study by iCandy revealed that UK parents collectively spend billions of pounds on items they only use once or twice. On average, parents spend almost £400 on such items, with one in four spending over £500 and one in ten spending more than £900 in the first year of parenthood. This highlights the importance of trying out items before committing to buying them.
In conclusion, renting baby gear is a practical and cost-effective option for parents. It not only saves you money but also saves you the hassle of getting rid
