If you’re like most new parents, your first two emotions after a positive pregnancy test are excitement and paralyzing fear. You’re having a baby . . . but you have no idea what you’re doing! You’ve got just nine months to figure out not only how to keep your kid alive but also what gear you need to make that happen.
Before you find yourself in a frenzy buying everything at Babies“R”Us, check out these 7 tips for saving big bucks on your baby.
Start with friends and family. Keep in mind that, while older relatives may have a wealth of parenting advice, some of their tips could be out of date. Drop-side cribs, infant walkers, and baby bumpers were in vogue not too long ago but are now considered dangerous.
Take other new parents – some with at least several months of experience – out for coffee and pick their brains. Find out what these experts can’t live without and what stuff is enticingly shiny but ultimately useless.
Add some baby product reviews to your pile of nightmare-inducing pregnancy books. Consumer Reports and Amazon both contain a wealth of information on product usability, durability, and safety. Invest in a copy of Baby Bargains, which contains priceless information on product recommendations, lists of essentials, and tips for what to avoid.
In the first few months of his life, your baby will likely outgrow some outfits before he even has a chance to wear them. Don’t waste your money buying new when gently used is just as good. Other parents are often more than willing to dump their mountains of no-longer-used baby swag on you!
Nabbing second-hand clothes, toys, linens, strollers, and high chairs can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your new baby! Be careful, as many experts recommend against getting used cribs, car seats, bottles, and more. In all cases, before exposing your baby to any previously-used item, check to ensure it meets modern safety standard and is in excellent condition.
Some ingenious items are built to grow with your child or repurpose themselves.
Look into infant car seats that can also snap into a stroller frame. Explore swings that convert into bouncers. Get a baby bathtub that accommodates both a reclined infant and a securely seated toddler.
Don’t assume that all multi-taskers are a bargain however. Your parent friends and piles of research material will tell you whether that 4-in-1 convertible crib is a steal or just four times the disappointment.
As soon as you start compiling a list of necessary baby items, create a registry. It doesn’t matter whether you plan to have a shower. You’ll want a list you can point to for excited friends and family who are itching to celebrate.
Plus, opening a baby registry with most major stores and online sellers gives you serious perks. You can get free samples, major discounts on your own baby gear purchases, price matching, free shipping, and a lengthy return period. Babies“R”Us, Amazon, and Target are popular places to register, but check your favorite stores and sites for registry deals as well.
In the excitement of a new baby, it’s easy to swipe your credit card for the entire Baby Mozart collection or 30 tiny designer outfits. Keep your cash as long as possible.
Wait to see what items you get for free from gifts and hand-me-downs. Once your baby’s due date is imminent, buy only the must-have items that remain on your list. You’ll be able to use your registry’s deep discounts and milk the long return period for as long as possible in case you need to send something back.
If you’re a new mom or dad, know this. You need a lot fewer clothes and toys for your newborn than you think.
With clothes, buy basics in bulk. You’ll save money and save yourself the hassle of doing laundry every single day. (Welcome to the world of spit-up and diaper explosions.) Absorbent bibs are essential, and easy-to-snap onesies or Sleep & Play outfits are ideal for both day and night.
Don’t go out on a shopping spree for adorable ensembles. You might stock a closet only to find that your newborn is already too big for newborn-sized clothes, that certain fabrics irritate your baby, or that some cute clothes require way too much effort.
Newborns are all about eating, sleeping, and cuddling with little interest in toys. Delay purchasing rattles and balls until your kid stops hitting himself in the face and develops some hand-eye coordination. By then, you will most likely be gifted more bulky and noisy toys than you know what to do with.
There are so many easy ways to save on all the baby gear out there that even a stressed-out new parent can take advantage of at least a few methods.
Before your bundle of joy arrives, look for deals everywhere. Diapers, formula, and clothes are expensive, so sign up for coupons with Pampers, Huggies, Similac, Enfamil, Gymboree, and more.
Save time and money with automatic subscriptions to baby essentials through stores like Amazon and Target. You can save up to 20% and get free two-day shipping in many cases!
Use a cash-back credit card to rack up even more rewards as you shell out for baby. Scan for sales in your weekly grocery ad, click and print online coupons, and search online for money-saving promotional codes!
Having a baby doesn’t have to break the bank. With a few smart strategies, you can savor your little bundle of joy without spending a bundle too.
Megan is a lifestyle writer & B2C blogger for hire. She specializes in writing killer content on personal finance, productivity, & organizing. Find her in The Huffington Post, The Penny Hoarder, Money Saving Mom, & many print and online publications.
