Skip Nav
Love It. Save Your Favorites Now.
11 Ways to Give Baby Gear a Second Life

Ways to Reuse Baby Gear

11 Ways to Give Baby Gear a Second Life

Ways to Reuse Baby Gear

We spend a fortune on the latest, greatest baby gear, only to toss it out a year or two later. Not only does this mean throwing away sweet memories 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 and Flickr

1 Nursing Pillows

Nursing Pillows

Transform your "breast" friend into a nice neck rest for yourself or a lounge pillow for your little one's bedroom.

Source: Instagram user mrs_mc_c

1 / 11

2 Baby Crib

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, there are plenty of ways to give this piece of furniture a purpose after baby.

Source: Frosted Gardner

2 / 11

3 Formula Dispensers

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

3 / 11

4 Baby Bottles

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

4 / 11

5 Teething Rings

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

5 / 11

6 Baby Bathtub

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

6 / 11

7 Diaper Bags

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

7 / 11

8 Burp Cloths

Burp Cloths

The soft material makes burp cloths and bibs perfect for dusting the house.

Source: Instagram user keepeminstiches

8 / 11

9 Nipple Cream

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

9 / 11

10 Baby Clothes

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

10 / 11

11 Mattress Crib

Mattress Crib

Why toss out a perfectly comfortable mattress when you can turn it into a reading bench, dog bed, love-seat cushion, and so much more?

Source: Small + Friendly

11 / 11
Nacho Parenting: Expert Explains Parenting Strategy
Family Life
Why "Nacho Parenting" Could Be the Solution For Your Blended Family
by Taylor Andrews 2/25
What Co-Sleeping With Kids Is Really Like
Family Life
What Co-Sleeping as a Family Actually Looks Like
by Lena Felton 12/16/25
Sundown Scaries: An Expert on New Parent Anxiety at Night
Family Life
How to Survive the "Sundown Scaries" as a New Parent
by Taylor Andrews 12/01/25
Little Spoon Review With Photos
Babies
My Baby Tried Little Spoon’s Mango Purée — and Lost His Tiny Mind
by Marisa Petrarca 10/17/25
Why These Women Want to Be TikTok's "Cool Aunt"
Travel Inspiration
Why Everyone on TikTok Wants to Be a "Cool Aunt"
by Emma Glassman-Hughes 9/25/25
Pinterest Parent: Expert Explains Pinterest Parenting Style
Family Life
Why Everyone Wants a Playdate With the "Pinterest Parent"
by Taylor Andrews 7/21/25

From Our Partners

Now You Know

Love Is Blind: Where Do Those Engagement Rings Come From?

Fashion

Everything to Know About the "Love Is Blind" Engagement Rings

by Sarah Wasilak 2/19

shopping

Oprah's Favorite Things List Has Major Gems, Including an Under-$100 Air Fryer

by Balim Tezel 11/06/25

Fitness

Paralympians Earn the Same Pay For Medals as Olympians, but Is It Enough?

by Karenna Meredith 8/29/24

health

How Often Should We Be Getting COVID Vaccines?

by Alexis Jones 8/23/24

Food

Pumpkin Spice Season Is Back Aug. 22

by Lauren Mazzo 8/21/24

Beauty

The Exact Red Lipstick Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Swears By

by Alaina Demopoulos 8/20/24

health

What to Know About the Latest Mpox Outbreak, According to MDs

by Alexis Jones 8/16/24

health

Céline Dion Promised Her Children She’d Live: “They Already Lost a Parent.”

by Sara Youngblood Gregory 6/11/24

Latest Family
We're Hiring! Write For Us Advertise With Us Accessibility Contact Archives
Power Your Happy
Terms Privacy Policy
©2026 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.