As a parent to a new baby, you’re likely seeing life with a whole new set of eyes. While your feelings of unconditional love and devotion are quickly changing your perception of the world, it’s certainly not a stretch to confess that just about every detail in your life has gone through a major transformation. Beyond the dramatic changes to your sleeping pattern, your work schedule, and your lifestyle, your home has likely had a face lift as well. Your once clean and organized surroundings have been overtaken by the insurmountable items that your tiny bundle requires. And, while it seems inevitable that your baby is only going to need more things as he or she grows, you’ve quickly realized that your bank account is dwindling. Fortunately, many other parents have been there before and have survived by opting to rent equipment, supplies, and products from reputable online companies.
The Growth Factor: All new parents share the same surprising reaction when they realize that a baby doesn’t stay tiny for long. Somehow, between the baby’s first days out of the womb to the days of first words and first steps, time slips away. As the days turn into weeks and then months, your baby will outgrow everything from clothes and toys to playpens and highchairs at a shocking rate. Rather than putting your pocketbook through round after round of new sizes and products, consider renting baby items that your children will outgrow quickly.
Out with the Old, In with the New: Let’s face it. Although a new baby is welcomed and celebrated, you’ve likely scoffed at the amount of space you’ve had to give up to make room for your new addition. Why fill your closets with safety gates and high chairs that the baby won’t be able to use for the first few months? Similarly, why unpack new baby accessories only to put old, outgrown items away to collect dust? By renting, you can save the storage space and begin a more logical cycle of renting only what you need, when you need it. You’ll be amazed at both the cost and space savings that will follow.
Travel with Ease: Having a baby shouldn’t restrict you from getting out of the house. In fact, you’ll likely welcome the opportunity to travel with the baby, showing him or her off to new places and new faces. If you thought packing was a hassle in the past, you’re in for a rude awakening now that you have a child as a travel companion. But, like most things in life, there’s always an easier option. Rather than loading your pack-n-play, high chair, and swing set, rent the equipment that you’ll need and have it sent right to your destination. If your travel plans take you to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, ask your parents to become familiar with baby gear rental options near their home. They’ll jump at the opportunity to make their grandchild’s visit easier for everyone. And, because new locations often mean different climates and new sightseeing opportunities, renting is once again a better choice than buying new. For example, if you’re traveling to warm weather, you might opt to rent everything from a sandbox and toys to a safety gate that will allow the baby to take advantage of the warmth of the outdoors. Or, if you’re headed on a mountain adventure, rent a framed backpack specifically designed to carry your miniature companion.
Benefit from your Baby’s Belongings: Unless you’re willing to host one garage sale after another, chances are that your outgrown baby items will one day need to find a new home. After all, you’ll have to make room for all the “big kid” items your child will soon demand. Once again, the rental market is the logical and economical answer. Online rental companies make it easy for you to make money by renting your old baby items to others. Rather than letting your old items grow mold in the basement, list them on an online site and make money by passing on the benefit of your item to another new parent. Save your parenting adventures for the real challenges of teething and potty training rather than late-night budget crunches and endless shopping trips. When you open yourself and your baby up to the rental world, you’ll soon find that your options become as bountiful as your joy.
