Yes. Cots, prams, pushchairs, highchairs, car seats, baby clothes and toys can all go into a storage unit, which is a good way to win back a room while keeping the kit for later. The one thing to think about before you pack is reuse: baby safety charities advise a new cot mattress for each baby and are cautious about reusing car seats, so it helps to know that now.
Packing it well
- Clean and dry everything first. Wash fabrics and covers, wipe down frames, and let it all dry fully, so no damp gets packed away with it.
- Take cots and highchairs apart where you can. Bag the screws and bolts and tape them to the frame, and keep the instructions with each item.
- Put mattresses in a protective mattress bag.
- Box clothes and toys rather than using bin bags, as plastic bags can trap moisture. Label each box with what’s inside, and the sizes or ages, so you can find the right things later.
- Lift everything off the floor on a pallet or a layer of sturdy boxes.
Batteries
Baby monitors, bouncers, swings and toys often run on batteries. We’d suggest taking out any removable batteries and keeping them at home. Things with built-in batteries can be stored, up to ten per unit, as long as they’re undamaged and not stacked, so air can move around them. Our battery guide has the full rules.
Before you use it again
Cot mattresses. The Lullaby Trust generally advises buying a new mattress for each baby, because research suggests a second-hand mattress from outside the family home raises the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. If you do reuse one, it should have a well-fitting, fully waterproof cover, no rips or tears and no water damage, be firm and flat with no sagging, and fit the cot with no gaps. Storing it clean, dry and bagged gives it the best chance of passing those checks.
Car seats. The Lullaby Trust advises buying new even when you know a seat’s history, because wear and tear over time can affect its safety. If you plan to reuse yours, keep the original instructions with it and check the manufacturer’s advice on how old the seat can be before it needs replacing.
Everything else. Before a pram, cot or highchair goes back into use, check it over for wear or missing parts against the maker’s instructions.
If anything you’re storing is precious for sentimental reasons, such as a christening gown, give us a call before you bring it in so we can talk it through.
Your things sit behind CCTV monitored around the clock by a professional monitoring company, and every unit has its own alarm. To find a unit near you, get a price online or call us on 0800 2545585.
Related questions
- Can I store an electric bike, e-scooter or lithium batteries in a storage unit?
- Do I have to put everything in boxes in a storage unit?
- What goods are prohibited from being stored at Wigwam?
Further reading