Expecting mom receives baby shower gifts, protests when sister demands to use them for her baby: 'I would like our baby to be the first one to use her presents'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 18, 2026 1:15 PM EDT

Should a gift for one mom also be a gift to the other moms in the family?

For all that opinions on parenting differ wildly depending on who you talk to, one thing that most people can agree on is that raising kids can get pretty expensive. With babies in particular, there seems to be so much stuff that is needed to simply keep them alive that new parents are easily overwhelmed by the sheer amount of consumerism they are told that they have to buy into.

This is a big part of the reason that it is tradition for the loved ones of an expecting couple to gift them a lot of the things that they are going to need at the start of their parenting journey. The transition is chaotic enough as it is without worrying about what needs to be ticked off the wish list, so it is nice for friends and family members to look out for them this way. Those who do not get this particular privilege often feel left out and definitely feel the strain on their budget when they have to buy every single product by themselves. A simple gift or two can go a long way.

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  • A model representing a mom with her hair tied back, kneeling down to feed her baby, who is sitting in a high chair
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A model representing a mom with her hair tied back, kneeling down to feed her baby, who is sitting in a high chair

  • An expecting mom was happy to see what her loved ones had gifted her at her baby shower, and there were so many items that she and her partner had nowhere to store them at home. They therefore decided to leave some things in storage at her parents' house.

    Her sister already had a baby, and she felt like she should be able to have access to the items that the mom wouldn't be using until her child was older. The mom disagreed, as she wanted these things to be used for the first time by her and her daughter. Her sister was upset at this, leaving her wondering if she was overreacting.

  • Am I wrong for not wanting my sister to use my new baby stuff for her baby?

    So we just had our baby shower this weekend at my parent's place. We got everything we need for our baby, but we also got a bunch of stuff we won't need for a while because it is for older babies. Things like a stroller, car seat (we got infant and older baby ones, not a convertible kind) highchair, toys, clothes, and a bunch of other stuff like that.
    via OneCut350
  • Since we don't have a huge place ourselves we asked to leave the stuff we won't need right away at my parents place. They said no problem so we stored it all away in their garage. Now though my sister, who lives with them, want to use some of the stuff for her baby. She doesn't have a lot of older baby stuff and her baby is outgrowing things.
    via OneCut350
  • I don't know I just feel really weird about it because this stuff was given to us as gifts for our baby. By the time we will get the stuff to use it for our baby it will be probably have been used for months. I would like our baby to be the first one to use her presents.
    via OneCut350
  • My sister thinks we're being selfish and acting too precious with our baby about the things and acting like our baby can't share things with hers and the stuff is just being a waste of space sitting there unused. My parents don't mind about the space being taken up though.
    via OneCut350
  • edit. I just want to add because I see it being brought up a lot, but I am absolutely not worried about my sister taking the things even though I said no. They are being kept in the garage which she does not have access to and it is locked. My parents already know about the issue and they know I have said no (they were the one's that told
    via OneCut350
  • her to ask me permission in the first place) and I trust they will not let her have access to the items without talking to me first. They would literally rain hol on her.
    via OneCut350
  • A baby stroller sitting in the grass by a sidewalk
    via Michael Pozzi

    A baby stroller sitting in the grass by a sidewalk

  • kykiwibear I would put it in storage personally. My son used his high chair until 3... sooooo if you're sister is still using it when you need it shes not gonna cough it up.
    via kykiwibear
  • Jazzlike-Park-4280 Why didn't she have a shower/receive gifts for her baby? Presumably half the family attendees would have been the same as yours.
    via Jazzlike-Park-4280
  • Miss Bobbiedoll People call a thing selfish that doesn't favor her. Did she have a shower? Hold old is her baby? NOR.
    via Miiss_Bobbiedoll
  • Fit-Dream-8573 I think it's inappropriate.She's asking to use your baby gifts for her baby? Thats ride imo.
    via Fit-Dream-8573
  • Awkward Mom0511 NOR. What happens when your baby reaches the age that they need to use those things and her baby is still young enough to need those things like a high chair, stroller, car seat, etc. Also if something gets ruined, will she replace it? Will it cause fights and animosity trying to get back what's rightfully your baby's?
    via Awkward_Mom0511
  • If I were you though, I wouldn't store the stuff at your parents' house where she has easy access to it. Find somewhere else to put it and then it's none of her business what you do with it.
    via Awkward_Mom0511
  • justducky4now Don't store your stuff at your parents.
    via justducky4now
  • Ok-Willow-9145 Go and pick up your things if you don't want your sister shopping your baby gifts.
    via Ok-Willow-9145
  • Dull Double1531 "She doesn't have a lot of older baby stuff and her baby is outgrowing things." What would she have done if you didn't also just have a baby or if you didn't need to store stuff at your parents'? What will she do when you take all your stuff back in a few months? She needs to figure it out herself.
    via Dull_Double1531
  • Fit-Dream-8573 Have y'all considered maybe doing some shopping for maybe thrifted items that can help your sister if she's in need. Maybe everybody could pull together to get her some stuff
    via Fit-Dream-8573
  • Ok_Clerk_6960 Get a small storage unit and move that stuff outta there. Your sister is going to take it no matter what you say. That kind of entitlement does not take no for an answer. Get it out. Your parents will more than likely give in to your sister to "keep the peace." Not okay.
    via Ok_Clerk_6960

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