Having a baby is an exciting time. It also means committing to a new way of life and budget plan. Although having children can impact your finances, there are some great ways to save money and still afford the necessary baby items.
Having a child is unquestionably an expensive undertaking. You can save money and extend your budget with a bit of planning. We've compiled a list of six simple ways to save money when having a baby.
Learn how to save money when you're expecting a baby with these simple tips! Click To TweetSet a Budget Before the Birth of Your Child
Before your bundle of joy arrives, consider creating a realistic breakdown of all the essential items your infant will require. Diapers, formula, and clothing are all necessities that can add up very quickly.
Take a look at your monthly expenses and see where you can save money. Scale back on all non-essential purchases to save money and build up reserves.
Feeding Expenses for Your Baby
Breast milk is considered healthier and more cost-effective than formula when feeding your infant. Both practices have accompanying costs, regardless of whatever you choose.
Breastfeeding
Although breastfeeding is free, many mothers opt to buy breast pumps and other accessories, such as storage bottles and bags for their breast milk which can add up.
An alternative to buying a new breast pump is to rent one from a hospital or a specialty medical supply store. Be sure to ask your doctor for a reputable rental company.
Feeding formula
Although several formulas are on the market with a broad range of prices, you may want additional assistance to cover this necessity.
Healthy Start helps families with formula and coupons for pregnancy vitamins. If your newborn has any medical or nutritional issues, the program gives vouchers for iron-fortified or customized formulas. To determine if you are qualified for the program, visit their website.
Solids
When your baby begins to eat solids, place cooked vegetables into a blender with a little liquid and freeze the meals – the money you'll save makes the extra effort worthwhile.
Disposable or Reusable Diapers?
When it comes to deciding which diaper you want to use, it all boils down to personal choice.
Disposable Diapers
The majority of mothers use no-name disposable diapers for their children. Bum Deal evaluates the costs of diapers and shows you where you can get brand names for less and which retailers have special deals.
Buy-one-get-one-free offers are a terrific way to save money on disposable diapers. It's a good idea to stock up when you notice these incredible deals.
Reusable Diapers
Reusable Diapers are inexpensive and environmentally friendly, and some city councils even give them for free. Disposable diaper liners are included with most cloth diapers. They sit inside your baby's diapers to collect solids that you can simply throw away.
Reusable diapers can be washed by hand or machine and are ready to use once dry.
Baby Clothes
Buying new baby clothes is always fun and exciting. However, babies grow so fast. Buying second-hand clothing can help shave down the costs. You can find fantastic deals at thrift stores.
Purchase new items exclusively for special occasions, and keep the day-to-day clothing to just a few essential pieces. If you're planning a baby shower, consider registering for products that aren't only for newborns. Asking for larger sizes allows you to stock up on apparel for the rest of your baby's first year.
Sign Up To Receive Baby Newsletters and Coupons
Many diaper manufacturers attempt to attract you to buy their diapers by giving you free samples or coupons. You can obtain free samples of companies' products by calling or emailing them.
Furniture
Too often, new parents believe that their children require every piece of furniture or accessory available. Instead of buying one of everything, you can get a variety of useful pieces you think you might need.
Consider purchasing furniture that you can use for several purposes. Look for a convertible crib that you can convert into a toddler bed and dressers that can double up as a changing table. Consider buying second-hand furniture without sacrificing safety.
Most bassinets can only be used until the baby rolls over, so try to borrow one for a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a child into the world will always need financial investment. It's helpful to do research to determine which items provide the most value for your money. We hope you find these tips and suggestions helpful.
My biggest money saver was breastfeeding. Formula is expensive, plus now, with the shortage, it’s a scary thing to think of the babies being hungry and the stress on the moms.
Breastfeeding does save money but is not for everyone. That is a scary thought with the shortage! I feel for those moms.
These are great ways to save money when having a baby! I used reusable diapers with my youngest two, although I did use disposable as well. It definitely saves a lot of money using cloth!
Doing a combination of both diapers is a great way to save some money