Is your family growing?
“When expecting our first baby, we were overwhelmed with lists of things we ‘had’ to buy. By sharing, trading and buying used we’re enjoying our family without over-spending or wasting resources.” – Kerry, North Portland
Here are some local resources to help you get what you need for your new family. Check out our interactive map for a full listing!
Connect and share with other families
To help you get started, Green Baby Guide shares the insider secrets of cloth diapering, home-blended baby food, and hunting for secondhand gear with other families who may feel just as intimidated and overwhelmed as they did.
When you’re ready to venture out, Portland has a growing number of spaces that offer a host of services for families.
Portland Green Parenting has a café, community space and consignment shop that, together, connect and support growing families who want to live sustainably and in community.
There are several “swap and play” spaces in the Portland area where members can enjoy play areas for kiddos, space for caregivers to relax and connect, and opportunities to swap goods with other families.
Portland also makes it easy to find great second-hand clothes. And babies grow out of clothes so quickly that used baby clothes are often like new! When you’re done with those clothes, you can sell them back so another family can use them.
New babies often mean parties, too. Use party rental stores to rent dishes, flatware and linens for larger parties and gatherings. Family, friends and neighbors are great resources for borrowing, sharing and swapping.
And when you are looking for new items, choose durable goods that you can also pass along when your kids are done with them.
Support for new families
PDX Kids Calendar and Red Tricycle have frequently-updated listings of fun kids events around town to help you get out of the house.
There are wellness classes and mom groups available at area hospitals like Providence Portland.
Babysitter Exchange offers online co-ops and a chance to create community with other families.
Looking for more resources and ways to save money?
Chinook Book contains coupons, maps, tips and more, in print and mobile versions (great for parents on the go!).
As you get your home ready for your expanding family, you may encounter home or craft projects that need to be completed. We have tips for remodeling resourcefully too!
Where do you go to Be Resourceful? Share your favorite Portland community resource.
The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program.