A first baby, and almost nothing bought new

Baby equipment has a strange shape to its life. It is used constantly for a few months, then not at all, and it is expensive.

Used briefly, kept forever

A cot is needed for a year. A pushchair for two. A steriliser for six months. Then they sit in a spare room because throwing them out feels wasteful and selling them is more effort than it is worth.

"I asked for a cot and a steriliser expecting to wait weeks. Someone in Dansoman replied the same evening. Her daughter had outgrown both." — Efua, Accra

What to check when you take baby items

• Car seats: ask the age and whether it has been in a crash. If in doubt, do not take it.
• Cots: check the mattress separately; most people replace that anyway.
• Anything with a strap or a buckle: test it before you leave.

Rehoming baby things works because the timing lines up almost perfectly. One family finishes with them exactly as another begins.