Babies may be teeny-tiny things, but they sure do require a lot of stuff.

On top of that, it seems within just weeks they outgrow everything — onesies and booties, pacifiers and peek-a-boo books, strollers and swings.

What's a parent to do with the growing piles of baby paraphernalia?

If you plan to have more little ones within the foreseeable future, it's not a bad idea to hold on to your baby essentials. Otherwise, get rid of the clutter.

We offer options for parents who want to donate, sell or swap their baby stuff — everything from clothing and toys to books and baby gear.

Important: Before giving or receiving new and used baby items, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall list at www.cpsc.gov.

IF YOU WANT TO DONATE

• Goodwill Industries of Hawaii (836-9675 or www.higoodwill.org) accepts clothing, books, stuffed animals and toys that are not on the CPSC recall list. The organization does not accept any baby car seats, strollers, swings, cribs, high chairs, booster seats, walkers, bouncers, play pens, gates, changing tables and baby bathtubs.

• The Salvation Army (800-728-7825 or www.satruck.com), which follows CPSC guidelines, accepts baby clothes but is cautious of clothing with rhinestones, metal or vinyl snaps, zippers, closures or appliques. The organization also accepts books printed after 1985, and toys and baby gear not on the CPSC recall list.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu (524-6111 or www.bigshonolulu.org) accepts baby clothing, toys and books. It does not accept items that babies "sit in," such as strollers, high chairs and bouncers.

• Check if your church or one in your community accepts donated baby items.

• If you know a family member, friend or co-worker who is pregnant or has a newborn, why not give her first dibs on the items you want to give away?

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY

• Caterpillar Kids (456-1515 or www.caterkids.com) pays cash or gives store credit for baby items. The store accepts, among other things: baby clothing, footwear, DVDs in original cases, all types of strollers (excluding travel systems), bouncers, play yards/play pens, swings, walkers, bassinets and changing tables. Caterpillar Kids does not accept cribs or car seats.

• Sell your baby items at a swap meet. If you've got a lot to get rid of, consider Kam Swap Meet (483-5535 or www.kamswapmeet.com) or Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (486-6704 or www.alohastadiumswapmeet.net). These locations charge for a spot where you can set up a table of sale items.

• Mommy Swap Meet (780-9288 or www.mommyswapmeet.com) is a consignment event held three or four times a year; its next event will be in October. Items acceptable for sale include clothing, toys, shoes, books, strollers, bassinets, cribs — as long as the items are in like-new condition. Mommy Swap Meet also accepts maternity items.

• Have your own garage or yard sale. Search online for tips on how to hold a successful event.

IF YOU WANT TO SWAP

• The Freecycle Network (www.freecycle.org) is a nonprofit movement of people who give and get stuff for free in their own communities. Freecycle prefers users to post an "offer" before posting a "wanted."

• Plan a swap party with all your mommy friends. These get-togethers allow mommies (and daddies) to bring in items their little ones have outgrown — clothing, toys, books and various baby essentials — and trade them in for "new" goodies.