What can you borrow for your baby? More than you might think!
You can borrow as well as buy what you need for a new baby, and there are all sorts of lenders out there that can help.
You can borrow as well as buy what you need for a new baby, and there are all sorts of lenders out there that can help.
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Aside from the obvious life-changing aspect of bringing home a new baby, there's also the surprising number of accessories and accoutrements that accompany the newest member of your household. Many of these things may be single-use, disposable and brand new – but they don't have to be.
Libraries are for so much more than books these days. Many of Ireland's national libraries have branched out to offer all sorts of items for shared use and reuse, including sensory toys and costumes (because it's cute to dress up but be honest, those outfits are probably only going to see the light of day once). But it’s not just traditional libraries to consider.
Toys in the hood
There are also toy libraries popping up across the country. Toy Libraries Ireland has a directory to help you find your nearest one and each will have its own way of working, but in general you can expect to find pre-loved goods you can borrow, rent or take home for a new lease of life.
Giorgia Anile, founder and CEO of The Toy Library, describes it as "Ireland's toy sharing platform".
"It is free to use and anyone can join; think of it like an online marketplace, without buying or selling," she said.
"The Toy Library is here for those who are looking for a pre-loved toy: just browse our library and contact the family who listed the toy, and arrange collection."
The Toy Library also hosts Swap & Play events all over the country, where you can not only nab a nifty find but even meet some fellow parents. And Giorgia is keen to grow the network. "Say it to your friends and family too: the more, the merrier!"
What's important is that you stay safe when borrowing for baby and ensure that any toys have CE quality assurance marks on their labels. And, even without packaging, these labels will usually tell you the suitable age range for the item.
Shiny nappy people
Something some new parents can be overwhelmed by is the number of nappies their precious angel can get through. And for those trying to think sustainably, all those disposables can pose a dilemma. But there's even a library for that.
Ciara Douglas used reusable cloth nappies for five years and she recommends getting a loan kit from the Cloth Nappy Library so you can see what works for you and your little one. "What works for one won't work for all," she advised.
Ciara warns against nappies that claim to last from "birth to potty", but she found the all-in-one varieties were most convenient and said, "Once you get into it, it’s actually less effort than disposables."
Sinead O Connor also used cloth nappies with her first born. "Different nappies have different strong points. I mostly used pocket nappies for daytime and a fitted ones with a cover combo for night," she said.
Sinead also used the Cloth Nappy Library, which she said is "an amazing resource to try different types of nappy", and she got even more support from The Nappy Market, which sells both new and pre-loved reusable nappies.
Her top tip: "You don't have to be perfect. Every cloth nappy used is a plastic nappy saved from landfill. Even one or two cloth bums a week or a month is brilliant."
Ciara agrees, recommending that you "start small. Replace a couple of nappies a day with the cloth ones. And don’t get overwhelmed at the thought of washing."
Rent a party
As well as pooping, one thing that babies are guaranteed to do is keep growing, and you'll want to mark those milestones as they come. Did you know you can borrow what you need for those birthday bashes and celebrations too?
With the Party Kit Network you can search for kits stocked with reusable partyware and decorations. Most kits require a rental fee but some are available free of charge, though you will likely have to arrange collection yourself.
And let's not forget what the regular old neighbourhood library can offer you and your baby. Dublin City Libraries host regular storytelling and toddler groups and well as finding resources for baby, you can find plenty for yourself.
Of course, finding time to read is challenging for parents of babies, but the library still has you covered. Sign up to BorrowBox with your library card and you can access a catalogue of audio books that you can dip into, hands-free, in those rare spare moments.
Because as well as being immeasurably rewarding, being a new parent is hard, and you will have to find the ways that work for you. There is no 'perfect' parenting, and there's no sense putting undue pressure on yourself to be a bastion of sustainability if that's only going to make you struggle. You may need to rely on disposable, single-use or brand new products many times over – you're only human.
But there are plenty of options out there for you borrow and build a community of supports for what you need, and that's a good place to start.
Reusable nappies: Need-to-know tips
A mix of materials is necessary: something that is fast-absorbing (eg microfibre) coupled with something that can retain a large volume (eg natural materials like cotton or hemp). "If you skip one, you usually get leaks," says Ciara.
Look for advice on fit, leaks etc in online groups.
Store used nappies in a good waterproof bag or lidded bucket and wash in batches. "I used to do two washes a week," says Ciara.
Reusable nappy liners are "a lifesaver" according to Sinead. "I found the fluffy ones better than the fleece because they kind of dried out the poop a bit so that it could be plopped into the toilet."
For an added reusable hack, Sinead recommends using face cloths instead of single-use wipes. "I just grab a cloth, run it under the tap and then use it for cleaning bums. Easy peasy."