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Baby Banks

Baby banks collect new and good-quality preloved baby and children’s items, then provide them to families experiencing financial hardship or another difficult situation.

They are similar in principle to food banks, but may supply clothing, nappies, toiletries, bedding, books, toys, pushchairs, cots and other practical essentials.

Every baby bank operates differently. The area covered, child age range, referral process, available stock and accepted donations can all vary.

How to Use This Guide

This page explains how baby banks commonly operate, but every organisation sets its own referral, eligibility, stock, donation and safety rules.

Contact the individual baby bank before travelling or collecting donations. A baby bank is not a healthcare, safeguarding, housing or emergency service.

Trusted UK Baby-Bank and Support Links

Baby-bank coverage is not identical across the UK. Families should also check their council, family hub, health visitor, midwife, school, nursery, housing officer or local voluntary-service directory.

Who Baby Banks Support

Baby banks may support families affected by:

Low income
Benefit delays
Homelessness or temporary accommodation
Domestic abuse
Refugee or asylum circumstances
Sudden job loss
Relationship breakdown
Fire, flood or another emergency
Disability or serious illness
An unexpected pregnancy or birth

A family does not always need to be receiving benefits. Eligibility rules are set by the individual baby bank.

Do Not Assume You Are Ineligible

Contact a local baby bank or referral professional if essential items are unaffordable.

Explain:

Which items are needed
The child’s age and size
How urgently they are needed
Any transport or accessibility difficulty
Whether the family is in temporary accommodation

How to Find a Baby Bank

Start with the UK baby-bank map.

You can also search for:

Baby bank and your town
Family hub and your council
Children’s centre and your postcode
Baby essentials charity and your county
School uniform bank and your area

Ask Local Professionals

Professionals who may know about nearby support include:

Midwives
Health visitors
GP practice staff
Social workers
Housing officers
Domestic abuse workers
Family support workers
School or nursery staff
Citizens Advice advisers

Referral or Self-Referral

Some baby banks accept direct enquiries from families. Others require a referral from a professional or partner organisation.

A referrer may need to confirm:

The family’s situation
The children being supported
Which items are needed
Whether there are safety or medical requirements
How the items will be collected or delivered

Possible Referrers

Depending on the baby bank, a referral may come from:

A midwife
A health visitor
A social worker
A family hub
A housing or homelessness service
A domestic abuse service
A school or nursery
A charity supporting the family

If You Do Not Have a Referrer

Contact the baby bank and ask:

Whether self-referral is possible
Which professionals can refer
Whether the council or family hub can help
Whether another nearby service accepts direct requests

What a Baby Bank May Ask

Information may include:

Postcode
Children’s ages
Clothing and shoe sizes
Expected due date
Requested items
Any urgent circumstances
Safe contact details

Ask how personal information will be used and stored if this is unclear.

Items Baby Banks May Provide

Depending on stock and local policy, items may include:

Baby and children’s clothing
Coats
Shoes
Nappies and wipes
Baby toiletries
Maternity and period products
Bedding
Books and toys
Pushchairs or buggies
Cots or Moses baskets
Highchairs
Baby baths
School uniform

Stock Is Not Guaranteed

Baby banks depend on donations, funding, storage and volunteers.

A requested item may be:

Unavailable
Available only in a different style
Subject to a waiting list
Restricted to urgent referrals
Available only for collection

Newborn Packs

Some baby banks prepare newborn packs containing selected essentials.

Contents differ, but may include:

Small clothing
Nappies
Wipes
Toiletries
Bedding
A changing mat
Muslin cloths
A suitable sleep product where available

Ask exactly what is included before buying duplicate items.

Clothing Bundles

Provide accurate information about:

Child’s age
Current clothing size
Shoe size
Season
School colours where relevant
Any sensory or fastening needs

Large Equipment

Equipment such as cots, pushchairs and highchairs may require:

A safety check
Cleaning
All original parts
Manufacturer instructions
A suitable collection vehicle
Assembly at home

Ask Before Travelling

Baby banks may not operate as public walk-in shops.

Confirm:

Opening times
Appointment requirements
Collection address
Parking or public transport
Whether children can attend
Which identification or referral details are needed

Collection and Delivery

Some organisations offer delivery in limited circumstances. Others require collection by the family or referrer.

For large items, check:

Dimensions
Whether the item dismantles
Whether all parts fit in the vehicle
Whether help is available for lifting
Whether the home has space for safe use

Urgent Baby Essentials

If a baby or child lacks essential clothing, nappies, a safe place to sleep or other necessary items, contact:

The local baby bank
The health visitor or midwife
The local council
A family hub
The housing or homelessness service
A domestic abuse service where relevant

Use the GOV.UK local council finder.

Baby Banks Are Not Emergency Services

Call emergency services if a child is in immediate danger or has an urgent medical emergency.

Contact NHS services for medical advice. Do not rely on a baby bank for healthcare assessment.

Financial Help for a New Baby

Families may also be eligible for government support.

Check:

Sure Start Maternity Grant
Best Start Grant in Scotland
Healthy Start
Child Benefit
Universal Credit
Local welfare support

Sure Start Maternity Grant

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment for some eligible families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has a different scheme, so use the relevant Scottish Government information.

Benefits Check

Use an official GOV.UK benefits calculator or speak to an independent adviser.

Local Welfare Support

Councils may offer local assistance with essential household or family costs.

Names and eligibility vary, so search the council website for:

Local welfare assistance
Crisis support
Household support
Emergency grants
Cost-of-living help

Receiving Baby-Bank Items

When items arrive:

Check the contents
Confirm sizes
Read instructions
Inspect equipment before use
Wash clothing where advised
Contact the baby bank promptly about missing safety parts

Check Equipment Before Use

Even when an organisation has checked an item, the parent or carer should still confirm:

It is suitable for the child
All parts are present
It has not been damaged in transport
It is assembled correctly
It is not affected by a recall

Check Official Product Recalls

Search the exact brand and model in the UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database.

Do Not Use Damaged Safety Equipment

Do not use an item with:

Missing fixings
Cracks
Broken straps
Damaged harnesses
Unstable frames
Exposed foam
Unsafe electrical parts

Car Seats

Many baby banks do not accept or redistribute used child car seats because a complete history can be difficult to verify.

The Lullaby Trust advises that it is best not to buy or use a second-hand car seat. A seat may have hidden collision damage, missing parts, incorrect storage, an official recall or manufacturer age and use limits.

Follow the individual baby bank’s policy, the manufacturer’s instructions and the current GOV.UK child car-seat rules. A donation organisation or marketplace cannot certify hidden impact history.

Mattresses

Baby banks may require cot and Moses basket mattresses to be new. Ask before donating or accepting one.

The Lullaby Trust generally recommends a new mattress for each baby. Where a second-hand mattress is considered, follow its current guidance and check that it fits correctly, remains firm and flat, has no rips, tears, damp, mould, water damage or sagging, and retains the relevant permanent label.

Use the Lullaby Trust mattress and bedding guidance.

Infant Formula and Feeding Items

Baby banks may have strict policies for infant formula, bottles, pumps and feeding equipment.

Do not donate opened or expired formula, damaged packaging or any product that the organisation has not agreed to accept. Food-contact and personal components may need to be new or replaced.

For feeding or formula advice, use the NHS baby-feeding guidance and speak to a midwife, health visitor, GP, pharmacist or another appropriate professional.

How to Donate to a Baby Bank

Check the organisation’s current wish list before collecting or travelling.

Donation needs can change quickly according to:

Season
Storage space
Current referrals
Safety requirements
Volunteer capacity

Do Not Leave Unauthorised Donations

Do not leave bags outside a closed building or at an unapproved collection point.

Unplanned donations may become:

Wet
Damaged
A security concern
A disposal cost
An obstruction

Typical Donation Categories

Depending on local policy, a baby bank may accept:

Clean baby and children’s clothes
Coats
New underwear and socks
Books
Complete toys
Pushchairs
Highchairs
Cots with all parts
New nappies
Unopened toiletries
School uniform

Items Often Required New

Depending on the organisation, items that may need to be new include:

Mattresses
Underwear
Feeding teats
Opened hygiene products
Some bedding
Some personal-care products

Items a Baby Bank May Refuse

Possible examples include:

Used car seats
Damaged cots
Recalled products
Used mattresses
Broken toys
Stained clothing
Used underwear
Opened toiletries
Expired formula
Items with missing instructions or safety parts

These are examples only. Always read the specific baby bank’s current donation policy.

Donation Condition

A donated item should be something another family can use with dignity.

Check for:

Stains
Holes
Mould
Strong odours
Pet hair
Missing buttons
Broken zips
Loose parts
Incomplete sets

Clean Donations

Before donating:

Wash clothing according to the care label
Empty pockets
Pair shoes
Group complete sets
Wipe suitable equipment
Remove personal name labels where possible
Include instructions

Sort by Size

Label clothing bags clearly, for example:

Newborn
0–3 months
3–6 months
12–18 months
Age 3–4
School uniform age 7–8

Do not mix unusable or damaged clothing with good donations.

Donate Complete Toys

Check that toys have:

All essential pieces
No loose batteries
No missing magnets
No cracks
No sharp edges
Suitable instructions where needed

Donate Equipment Safely

For large equipment, provide:

Brand
Model
Photographs
Dimensions
Instructions
All fittings
Details of damage or repairs

Do Not Hide Defects

Tell the baby bank about:

Repairs
Missing parts
Faded safety labels
Broken mechanisms
Unknown product history

The organisation can then decide whether it can safely accept the item.

Check the Baby Bank’s Current Donation List

Established baby banks publish specific guidance. Examples include:

These organisations cover specific areas. Use their information as an example of how detailed donation rules can be, not as rules for every baby bank.

Donating Money

Money can allow a baby bank to buy:

New mattresses
Nappies
Underwear
Missing equipment parts
Storage
Transport
Insurance

Donate only through the organisation’s official website or recognised fundraising page.

Volunteering

Volunteers may help with:

Sorting clothing
Cleaning equipment
Preparing family bundles
Driving
Administration
Fundraising
Warehouse work

Volunteer Checks and Training

Depending on the role, a baby bank may require:

An application
References
Safeguarding training
Manual-handling guidance
A DBS or equivalent check
Driver documents

Organising a Donation Drive

Before advertising a collection:

Contact the baby bank
Ask what is currently needed
Agree dates
Confirm storage
Set condition rules
Arrange transport
Explain what cannot be accepted

Avoid Collecting Unwanted Items

A general request for “anything baby-related” may create large amounts of unsuitable stock.

A focused drive could request:

New nappies in specified sizes
Children’s coats in requested ages
New underwear
Specific toiletries
Selected school-uniform items

Workplace, School and Community Collections

Ask the baby bank whether it can provide:

A current wish list
Posters
Collection boxes
Branding guidance
A drop-off appointment
Volunteer opportunities

Baby Banks and Dignity

Families should receive:

Clean items
Complete products
Respectful communication
Appropriate privacy
Clear information
Items suited to the child where stock allows

Avoid Judgement

Families may need support despite:

Being employed
Owning some household items
Having received help before
Appearing organised
Not discussing every detail publicly

Protect Family Privacy

Baby-bank stories and photographs should not be shared without appropriate consent.

Do not publicly disclose:

Names
Addresses
Immigration status
Domestic abuse details
Children’s medical information
Referral documents

Baby Banks and Kidora Are Different

A baby bank is a charitable support service that may use referrals, eligibility criteria and professional partnerships. Kidora is a UK-only marketplace where parents can buy and sell new and preloved baby and children’s items.

Kidora does not assess hardship, arrange professional referrals or replace baby-bank, council, housing, safeguarding, NHS or emergency support.

FREE Items on Kidora

Parents can list a suitable item at £0 as FREE rather than throwing it away. This may help another local family collect clothing, books, toys, nursery furniture or another usable product.

FREE listings are collection-only, are secured through Kidora checkout and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Paid Kidora listings can be new or preloved. Sellers pay no selling fees and keep 100% of the item sale price, while buyers pay a mandatory Buyer Protection fee shown before checkout.

A FREE marketplace listing is not the same as a baby-bank donation. Safety still applies: do not list recalled, damaged, incomplete, contaminated or otherwise unsafe products.

When a Baby Bank May Be More Appropriate

A baby bank may be better when:

The family needs several coordinated items
A professional referral is already involved
Privacy is particularly important
The family cannot search individual listings
Safety-checked large equipment is needed
Additional support services may also help

When a FREE Marketplace Listing May Help

A FREE Kidora listing may be useful when:

A parent has one suitable item to pass on
A local family can collect it
The item is safe and accurately described
The parent wants to arrange the handover directly

Safety Still Applies to FREE Items

Before listing or collecting a FREE item:

Check condition
Check completeness
Check instructions
Check official recalls
Disclose defects
Do not pass on unsafe products

A Baby-Bank Help Checklist

Find the nearest baby bank
Check its area and age limits
Ask whether a referral is needed
List the essential items required
Provide accurate sizes
Explain urgent circumstances
Confirm collection or delivery
Check equipment and instructions
Ask about wider financial or council support

A Baby-Bank Donation Checklist

Read the current wish list
Book a drop-off where required
Wash and sort clothing
Remove damaged items
Check toys are complete
Include equipment instructions
Check recalls
Disclose repairs or missing parts
Do not donate prohibited items
Do not leave donations outside

Frequently Asked Questions

Do baby banks charge families?

Baby banks generally provide donated essentials without charging the referred family, but each organisation sets its own service and referral rules.

Do I need to receive benefits to use a baby bank?

Not always. Eligibility differs, and some baby banks support working families experiencing hardship. Contact the organisation or an approved referrer.

Can I contact a baby bank myself?

Some accept direct enquiries, while others require a professional referral. Check the local baby bank’s process.

Can I donate a used car seat?

Many baby banks do not accept used car seats because the history may be unknown. Never assume one will be accepted; check the organisation’s policy first.

Can I donate a used cot mattress?

Many baby banks require mattresses to be new. Ask before donating or transporting one.

What should I do if my local baby bank cannot help?

Contact the local council, family hub, health visitor, midwife, school, housing service or Citizens Advice and ask about alternative local support.