Having a newborn is one of the life-changing periods when parents experience a lot of emotions ranging from exhilaration to exhaustion. These emotions can often cloud your judgment of spending when you have a newborn baby.
Having a baby can be expensive and little things will add up.
With a little forethought and planning, you can save money and at the same time provide the best for your baby.
Here are some strategies and tips that you can use to save money.
1. Save On Birthing and Breastfeeding Classes
Having a baby can be very anxiety-inducing, especially if this is your first time. However, there’s a lot of material online and on YouTube that you can read and listen to, to help you prepare for the big day.
Remember, every person’s journey is different and you don’t have to take every class to prepare yourself.
The nurses at the hospital will teach you all you need to know about breastfeeding, holding your baby, and changing your baby’s diapers. They have lactation consultants as well to help you out if you have trouble with your baby latching properly or need consultation.
Also, if you need to get a breast pump, the one provided by your insurance will be far cheaper than the ones that the hospital rents out.
2. Create a Baby Registry at Major Retailers
Once you create a baby registry, you can get free welcome kits filled with coupons and samples for you and the baby.
These are great ways for brands to engage with you and market their products as well as for you to try them out and see if you want to purchase from them.
3. Save On Toiletries
When you give birth, the hospital will provide for the baby’s needs and for your needs in terms of diapers, holding towels, and other sanitary care products for a new mom.
You really don’t have to go overboard in buying all these products. The products that the hospital provides will be far more comfortable than the products that you can buy from retailers, because they are in the business of care and have expertise in what works best for a new mom and baby.
Don’t feel shy to ask the nurse for diapers, sanitary products, and diaper rash creams for initial use.
4. Save On Doctor Visits
When you have a newborn, it’s quite natural to want to rush to the doctor each time the baby won’t stop crying. Before you rush to the doctor for every little thing, call the pediatrician’s office beforehand and get their advice.
Often, they know of the most common reasons and will have recommendations, free of charge. Doctor visits cost money, and even if you visit the doctor, it’s unlikely that the doctor will prescribe medication for your tiny humans.
5. Save On Formula
Of course, breastfeeding is the best for your baby. However, each person’s situation is different. If breastfeeding does not work out for you, don’t be hard on yourself.
The hospital will suggest the formula that is best for your baby and you can find the one that your baby likes. They will provide you with the initial stock of formula. If they forget, don’t hesitate to ask.
When you’re back home, you can sign up for the newsletters of the formula companies to get coupons to save money on Formula. One of the most reputable companies in this field is My Organic Company with a variety of offers for every child’s needs
6. Save On Diapers
Cloth diapers can save you a lot of money and are cost-efficient, once you establish what works for you.
Either way, you’re going to need a lot of diapers. Once you decide on the diaper that your baby likes best, buy diapers in bulk to save on costs.
Amazon has a subscribe and save option that shaves off a certain percentage of the price if you opt in.
7. Save On Clothes and Shoes For the Baby
Babies grow very quickly, so it doesn’t make sense to buy a ton of clothes, which they will outgrow in a few months. You can buy around 10 sets of onesies and use them for a three-month period. It’s a personal choice if you want to buy used clothes for your baby. You can opt to buy brand-new clothes for regular use, because you will be washing them frequently, but for fancier one-time use, you can opt to buy clothes that are lightly used.
There are a number of Facebook groups for new moms, where you can get just like new clothes for a fraction of the price. There are a number of apps for selling used stuff online that you can use. For the entire first year, your baby will hardly need shoes, so just a pair will suffice when he or she starts walking.
8. Buy Items That Have a Dual Purpose
Look for items that can serve multiple purposes. For example, a crib that can be converted to a bed when your baby becomes a toddler or a dresser that can serve as a changing table as well.
9. Don’t Buy Unnecessary Items
This seems like a no-brainer, but when you go on websites to shop, the algorithms will recommend one item after another, leading you to buy impulsively.
Do you really need that wipe warmer? No. They just drain the moisture out of the wipes and render them useless.
What about those cute decorations and pillows for cribs? No again, they can even pose safety hazards for babies and doctors recommend not to leave babies in the crib with pillows or blankets due to risk of suffocation.
Similarly, swings, co-sleeper bassinets can pose suffocation risks for babies. There are a lot of products that are being marketed to you, so think well if you really need that item before splurging on it.
10. Save On Toys
Aside from the toys that your baby gets from friends and family, you don’t really need to go overboard with buying many toys for the baby. You can buy used toys from friends and family if they have young ones and have saved their toys.
Remember to wash all toys before your baby uses them. It’s preferable not to reuse soft toys unless they are cleaned well, as babies drool all over them.
11. Save On Baby Food
When your baby is ready for solid food, towards the 9-month mark, don’t buy overpriced baby food. Babies can eat most of what we eat, except that they need food to be pureed. Natural is the way to go.
It won’t take much time to puree vegetables or fruits for your little one and you can rest assured that this food tastes better and is far healthier.
12. Buy in Small Quantities
One final suggestion is to buy in small quantities, see if it works for your baby, and then buy in bulk. That way, even if something doesn’t work for you or your baby, you won’t have wasted a lot of money.
Having a baby can seem overwhelming, but there are so many people around us who have done it before and we can draw from the experiences of others. All a baby needs is to be well-loved, well fed, and kept warm and dry. They need you to play with them and keep them safe and happy.
You don’t necessarily have to spend a ton of money to do this. Happy saving!
About the Author:
I’m Shuba, and I blog at Bazaar Expert about business, software products, money, and life. I’m interested in minimalism and am always looking for ways to declutter my life.