Having a new baby doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. With a little bit of thought and planning it is entirely possible to have a baby on a budget.
Having A Baby Needn’t Be As Expensive As You Think
You go through a lot of emotions when you are pregnant. Joy, excitement, apprehension, and also worry. It can be daunting to think about all of the stuff that your baby is going to need and it’s common to worry about how you are going to afford it.
The good news is that it is possible to have a baby on a budget. You just need to be smart about how and what you buy. You need to think about purchases before you make them and not jump in impulsively.
It will help to write a list of the essentials that you need for your baby and to stick to it.
Of course, spending extra money is inevitable but there are ways you can keep the costs down with these money saving tips.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Money Saving Tips For Having A Baby On A Budget
Put Money Aside During Your Pregnancy
Your baby will need a lot of stuff and even on a budget you are going to be spending extra when they arrive. Use the time you have during your pregnancy to start saving money for when your baby comes.
As your pregnancy progresses you will find yourself going out less and spending less money on things you did before your pregnancy. For example if you bought wine each week to have a couple of glasses after a long day then that is money you won’t be spending now you are pregnant.
Put that money you are saving to one side for your baby. You will find that even a little amount each week will soon add up and you will be grateful for it when baby arrives. We used one of these piggy banks to make sure we weren’t tempted to dip into it before we were ready to buy baby stuff.
Don’t Stock Up Too Much
While I do advise you to be organized during your pregnancy and have everything ready for your baby I also advise not to stock up too much on essentials.
Until your baby arrives you aren’t going to know exactly what kind of diapers, wipes, or formula etc will suit your baby. Also, baby will grow fast and you don’t want to be stuck with 10 boxes of newborn size diapers that your baby is too big for.
My advice is to just buy what you need for a week or two and then once you know your baby and their routines go ahead and stock up.
If you bulk buy items like diapers and wipes a good tip is to order on Amazon where you can get a 20% discount on diaper subscriptions.
Get All The Freebies You Can
Throughout your pregnancy take advantage of all of the free offers available. Many companies will offer free samples, vouchers, and starter packs to pregnant women.
When you have your baby ask at the hospital or birthing centre as they usual have free samples you can take home with you.
Sign up to the newsletters of the big baby product manufacturers for special offers and coupons. These companies also tend to have loyalty programs. Most of the main diaper and formula companies will reward you with free products as you buy.
You can also check out my list of pregnancy freebies which is packed full of free stuff for pregnant and new moms.
Take Advantage Of Your Baby Shower
Your baby shower is a perfect opportunity to get much needed items for your baby.
Of course your baby shower is a special time to spend with family and friends and should be seen as such but practically speaking each guest will bring a gift. That gift is one less item that you need to buy for your baby.
The most practical way of handling this is to set up a baby registry. Your friend or family member knows that they are buying something that you need and there will be no duplicates.
Even if you decide not to have a shower then it’s still worth setting up a registry to help you keep track of what you need. Most online registries will offer you money off vouchers to buy the items left on your list after the baby is born.
Breastfeed On A Budget
If you can breastfeed then this is definitely the cheapest way to feed your baby. You may be able to get a free breast pump from your insurance or hospital. If you don’t see if you can borrow one from a friend or family member. You can buy your own attachments relatively cheaply.
I wouldn’t stock up too much on anything breastfeeding related until after your baby is born and you know for sure that it’s going to work for you. It’s no good spending a fortune on nursing tips and bras if you only end up wearing them for a couple of days.
Ask your healthcare provider where you can get free breastfeeding support. Many hospitals offer hotlines so you can contact them at any time with any problems you may have.
As your baby gets a little older I recommend making your own baby food to save money. If you think it sounds like a lot of hassle you wouldn’t be alone. It’s actually really easy and not that time consuming if you invest in one of these. Just remember to clearly label and date everything you make.
Consider Cloth Diapering
If you want to make a huge saving then cloth diapering is the way to go. Even if you factor in the cost of laundering using cloth diapers will only cost you half of what disposables will. There’s also the added bonus of them being environmentally friendly, natural and kind to baby’s skin.
As with disposables I would advise that you don’t buy too many cloth diapers in one size and maybe only get them in newborn until you are sure cloth diapering is for you.
More From New Mom Life
Don’t Go Overboard On Baby Clothes
I realise that there are so many super cute baby outfits available now but realistically speaking your baby is not going to get the use out of them. During the newborn phase your baby is probably going to mostly be wearing onesies. This is practical for you and the most comfortable for baby. I found packs of 6 onesies for a lot less than a dress would cost when I had my youngest.
You won’t be going out that much first and you will find all of those cute little outfits going to waste. You will find that you will get a lot of outfits as gifts when your baby is born which is all you are going to need.
Don’t stock up too much on clothing in newborn size as your baby is going to grow so quick they just won’t use it all. Also, try not to buy clothing too far in advance. Babies come in all shapes and sizes and you may find that the new stuff just doesn’t fit.
Say No To Frivolous Items
Your baby is going to need a lot of stuff and although it can be easy to panic and think you need everything, you need to spend wisely if you are going to have a baby on a budget. There are some things that you and your baby just aren’t going to need.
I can understand pregnant women having there heads turned by wipe warmers, bottle warmers, and other frivolous non essential items. But if you want to have a baby on a budget you have to stop and ask yourself if you really need this item.
This may surprise you but the purchase I regretted the most was my changing table. I just didn’t use it. It was so much easier to use a towel on my knee or a changing mat on the floor than carrying baby upstairs for each diaper change.
I promised myself I would use it more with the next one but of course it never happened. I became the most expensive ornament ever and I cringe when I think about how much money was wasted.
There is one thing I bought that everyone told me I wouldn’t use and I have never regretted it for a second. My son wasn’t the best at sleeping when he was tiny and this white noise machine worked wonders. I think you just need to use your own judgement really.
Return Gifts You Won’t Use
You will probably receive gifts that aren’t to you taste or that you just aren’t going to use. Don’t be afraid to return these gifts to get something that you do need for your baby.
I’m sure your friend or family member would understand and know that you are still grateful for their gift. I’m sure that they would not want their gift to go to waste and would much prefer you got something you would get a lot of use of.
Buy Neutral
Its a good idea to buy gender neutral items for your baby like clothing, toys, bedding etc. Then if you are planning on having a second child you will be able to reuse a lot of stuff regardless of the gender.
Of course this isn’t going to help you right now but it is going to save you a lot of money when your second baby arrives as you will already have most of the items you need.
Ask Friends And Family
Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help. If they have previously had children they may have baby items that they no longer need and will be happy to see you make use of them.
If their children are just a little older then they may be willing to pass on baby clothes as their children grow out of them. As you will soon discover this happens fast and baby stuff can easily turn to clutter. Chances are they will be only too happy to pass the clothing on to you. As your baby will go through clothes quickly this could be a huge saving for you.
Buy Items That Grow With Your Child
A lot of items you buy for your baby can be bought to last. They will adapt and grow with your child meaning that you don’t need to replace them which is a pretty good saving.
Buy a crib that converts to a bed for a toddler, and you can get car seats and high chairs that will adapt to grow with your child.
Another tip is to buy items that have more than one function, for example a stroller with a detachable car seat which can also be used as a baby carrier.
The bottom line is that what your baby needs the most is you. You don’t need to spend thousands to keep your baby well cared for. They don’t care about bottle warmers and changing tables as long as they have your love they will be just fine.
Think about what you need for your baby and how you can have a baby on a budget.
