Why I Rented Baby Clothes (and Skipped the Panic Buy)

Why I Rented Baby Clothes (and Skipped the Panic Buy)
One mum’s real talk on prepping for a baby without drowning in stuff

When I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t go into planning mode. I didn’t make a spreadsheet or research the top 10 must-have baby products. Honestly? I kind of stuck my head in the sand. For a long time, I wasn’t sure I even wanted to have kids. My climate anxiety was intense. I was hyper-aware of the state of the world and aware that bringing a new human into it was, in many ways, one of the least sustainable things I could do. At the same time, I was 37 and running a business that was on track to hit some big milestones. I knew that having a baby would shake things up financially and emotionally.

But when I fell pregnant it felt like a sign. So, I leaned in, cautiously. I figured we’d work it out along the way.

Starting from Scratch (and Slightly in Denial)
I didn’t rush out and start buying things. The only proactive step I took in those early months was posting in my local community Facebook group: “We’ve got a baby due in six months if you’ve got large items you’re ready to part with, we’re all ears.”

That one post led to an incredible outpouring of generosity. We received a great pram (with a neon yellow cover that I’m convinced doubled as a traffic safety device), a beautiful wooden crib, a travel cot, and two different car seats — all from neighbours. I also discovered Markot, a second-hand baby gear store, where we picked up a few extra bits and pieces. For everything else? We gratefully accepted hand-me-downs from friends and family. I was determined not to buy anything new if I could help it.

The “Too Much Stuff” Moment
There was one day in Markot where the sheer amount of baby “stuff” overwhelmed me completely. I had a full-body shutdown in the middle of the store — just mentally checked out. That moment was a turning point. My partner saw it happen and gently took over the “final essentials” part of the shopping. From then on, we kept things as simple and low-pressure as possible.

The Little Renters Box That Changed Everything
I’d known about Little Renters through its incredible founder, Kathrin. We’re part of a few business communities together. I always said, “If I ever have a kid, I’m going straight to Kathrin.” I loved the circular economy model she’d built. It felt like the perfect match for the kind of parent I wanted to be: conscious, practical, and not drowning in clutter.
Receiving our first Little Renters box was honestly a joy. The unboxing experience, the soft fabrics, the curated outfits. It was all so beautifully done. And it came at a time when I had no idea how to “style” a baby. Kathrin had already put outfits together that looked great and made dressing my son feel easy and fun. Over time, I started choosing items myself, filling the gaps I needed. But I still looked back at the socials to see how Kathrin paired pieces together the thoughtfulness always stood out.

Why Renting Just Made Sense
There are so many reasons why renting baby clothes was one of the best decisions I made:

• No shopping stress: I didn’t have to browse, guess sizes, or figure out seasonal wardrobes.
• Beautiful quality: The clothes were leagues above some of the more worn hand-me-downs - soft, durable, and always clean.
• Less clutter: When Kai outgrew something, I popped it in the return bag. Done. Also, he has hip dysplasia and rotated through harnesses so Little Renters helped fulfill very specific briefs to make this process less wasteful.
• Kinder to the planet: It felt good to know I was part of a circular system that reused and re-loved clothing.

Honestly, if I had to buy something special for a holiday or occasion now, I wouldn’t. I’d just rent a few nicer pieces and send them back when we’re done. It’s easier, it’s cheaper, and it’s just… better.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

• You don’t need all the gadgets. You won’t know what your baby needs until they arrive. So start with the bare minimum and try things out slowly (toy libraries and borrowing from other families were lifesavers).
• Onesies are all you need for at least the first six months. Keep it simple.
• Go easy on yourself in those first weeks. We planned to use cloth nappies from day one, but eco-disposable ones were a better fit until we found our rhythm. Once the night feeds settled, we made the switch.

Final Thoughts
I didn’t do things the traditional way. I didn’t panic-buy a full wardrobe or create the perfect nursery. But I did find a way to prepare that felt right for me - low-waste, low-pressure, and full of community support.

Little Renters didn’t just give me clothes. It gave me breathing room. It took one big mental load off my plate and turned it into a moment of joy (even Kai loved the paper wrapping). If you’re expecting a baby and feeling the weight of all the “shoulds,” let me say this: You don’t need as much as you think. And you absolutely don’t need to do it alone. Start small, stay curious, and give renting a go - it’s one of the best decisions I made.

Written by Abbey Pantano