Pregnancy comes with a whole list of concerns and needs. One of them is allocating enough money for essential baby products.
If care isn’t taken, the cost can quickly stack up to unbelievable sums. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to keep your baby shopping costs down as you stick to a budget. Here are some of them.
Research what to buy
Doing adequate research is the foundation of your baby shopping adventure. As any parent will tell you, there are 1001 things you can buy for your baby. But only a few of them are actually essential. Adequate research will tell you what to buy and what to skip.
While researching, rely more on the experience of other mothers in your relationship circle, and less on the information you find via Google. While both sources are relevant, mothers you know can give you tips that are both practical and applicable to your specific situation.
New isn’t always better
Most of us are hardwired to think that new items are superior to used ones. But if you think critically, you’ll find that used items have tons of benefits. The biggest is the economy. Babies grow up really fast, and the clothes and shoes will become too small within months.
With other items like strollers and car seats, you should tread with caution. It’s important to do a safety check because you never know which parts are old or worn. This applies to items that are gifted to you, and the ones you buy.
Sign up for a baby shower registry
Signing up for a registry has tons of benefits. It allows friends and family to chip in and give you helpful baby gifts. It also allows them to enjoy the satisfaction that they helped you in whatever way they could.
A registry allows you to list the stuff you need so they only give you useful baby things. You can also avoid duplicate items which can be a real bother. It’s a good idea to create a registry as soon as you know your baby’s gender.
This gives you enough time to think about what they want to get you. It simultaneously helps you plan which items you’ll be getting by yourself.
Save save save
We mentioned earlier how there are 1001 baby items to buy. Adopting a savings mindset can help cut down your costs and ensure you have enough cash for diapers (you’ll probably be needing a lot.) Here are some things to think about while saving money for your baby
Create a budget
Budgeting is the foundation of proper savings. Unfortunately, budgeting for a baby as a new parent is one of the toughest tasks to do. You hear that babies are expensive, but until you actually start shopping, you never realize just how expensive they are.
One study found that the cost of raising a baby is upwards of $21,000. The good news is that you don’t need to come up with everything at once. Begin with your household income, and allocate a percentage to daily living, rent, and other expenses.
Next, trim the budget to make as much room for the new baby as possible. Finally, be sure to create a savings plan for emergencies.
Look for deals
By just shopping around, you’re bound to find favorable prices for your baby items. The key is to prioritize functionality. That way, you can buy an affordable car seat, even if it’s not the brand or design you thought you wanted. Also, check stores like Target where they offer regular discounts.
Consider buying used furniture
Used furniture that is in great shape is a much better investment than brand new ones that get scuffed over time. Besides the savings you’ll get, you can also reuse the furniture for other kids. Products with good bones often last longer than shiny but fragile new products.
Essential baby products
Here are must-have products for your nursery. You can add these to your registry or go out and get them yourself.
Crib items
Essentials include items like cribs and mattresses. You’ll also need crib sheets and waterproof mattress protectors.
Items you don’t need but are nice to have include a matching quilt or crib skirt. These are only decorative so you can do without them.
Some parents deem swaddling an essential item while others believe it’s a luxury. Whatever your opinion, it’s important to get it right when buying a swaddle. Visit lewis home for awesome custom swaddles
Nursery furniture
Essential nursery furniture includes a changing table, rocking chair, humidifier, dresser, and maybe a baby monitor.
Some of these items can be gotten second-hand, allowing you to save some money.
Items for baby proofing
Baby proofing is absolutely essential, and you may not need to begin the process until your little one starts moving around. However, the sooner you start, the more likely you are to get everything done in time.
Some of the essential items include gates by the stairs (top and bottom), latches for the cabinets and drawers, outlet covers, fireplace bumpers, and anchors for the furniture.
Some of these obviously won’t apply to your home if you don’t have stairs or a fireplace for example.
Nonessentials for baby proofing include a toilet lock and corner guards for low tables.
Items for feeding
You’ll need items for both breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Necessities include up to 9 bottles with newborn nipples, bottle cleaning gear, a drying rack, cotton bibs, burp cloths, and an insulated cooler for outings.
For breastfeeding, the essentials include a nursing pillow, nursing bras, and boxes of nursing pads.
You may also need a breast pump, breast milk storage bags, several bottles, nipple cream, and possibly a dry formula dispenser.
Items for baby health
As a parent, your little one’s health is on your priority list. Some must-have items include nail clippers, baby thermometers, petroleum jelly, first aid kits, and pacifiers.
Be careful not to overuse pacifiers because they have been shown to affect the child’s dentition, especially for children that just started teething.