A new baby often means you are in need of some quality tips to make ends meet. Whether you are struggling to make sure you get everything needed for the new arrival, or have decided to not go back to work and now need to focus on being a one-income family, these frugal tips for new baby expenses are going to help you easily make your dollars stretch.
Buy second hand.
I think this first tip has saved me the most money overall! Gently used baby clothes and baby gear are a great investment when you can buy second hand. You'll be paying at least half the price. Most of these items are in excellent condition since they aren't used for long. Clothing, bassinets, cribs, strollers and toys are great items to find second hand. Car seats should never be purchased second hand as you don't know their history and they can be a safety hazard. Things like breast pumps can easily be cleaned and most second-hand options are high quality and safe to use. Double check any toy or piece of nursery furniture or equipment ahead of time to make sure no recalls have been placed before purchasing.
Cloth diaper.
Many will debate about whether this is one of the best frugal tips for new babies, but I do believe that cloth diapering can save a lot of money, depending on the child and individual family. If you will be a stay at home mom, it is much more practical and financially feasible to cloth diaper. If your child will be in a daycare situation, it may be best to stick with disposable diapers. Weigh the pros and cons for your family and decide what is best.
A new baby can be exciting and make you really want more fun and cute items, but the reality is, you need very little for the first few months. Sleepers, onesies and warm blankets are about all you need for a newborn. A few (5-6) nicer outfits for going out and about in are great, but really, a simple sleeper is going to be the standard until they are a bit older. Don't invest in hundreds of outfits in small sizes. Wait to see how fast they grow to see what works best for you.
Breastfeed.
I'm a firm believer of the saying "a fed baby is a happy baby", but if possible, breastfeeding is one of the best frugal tips for a new baby. If you can't for any reason, then consult with your pediatrician about a healthy formula alternative. Remember, you are an excellent mama no matter how you feed your baby!
Buy or borrow a breast pump.
Quality breasts pumps can cost upwards of $200. Many hospitals, pediatrician offices and Le Leche League affiliations will allow you to "check out" or "borrow" a breast pump for a small fee each month, or no charge at all. However, technology has come a long way since I've had babies and there are many great affordable options available that make purchasing one way more cost effective!
Utilize free classes.
Many areas offer free Le Leche League as well as Lamaze classes for pregnant or postpartum moms. Don't pay out of pocket when you can find assistance for free through your local hospital or physician's office.
Ask for coupons.
Many companies from all over the world will mail you coupons of some sample items for your baby. Everything from formula to diapers and even lotions or snacks can be found for free using coupons or special forms on various company websites.
Buy all-in-one items.
Things like a convertible playpen that has a bassinet included can work great for next to your bed when the baby is small, then work as a fun area for them to safely play as they get older. Stroller and car seat combination sets are also often much less expensive than buying each piece separately.
Make your own baby food.
Instead of buying brand name baby foods, choose organic produce and create your own purees to feed your baby when the time is right. Carrot, sweet potato, peas, apple sauce and even prunes are all so easy to whip up! I loved these Baby Cubes for freezing the purees.
Buy unisex items.
Unisex items are easier to use down the road for a future sibling should the need arise. This is savings for now and later!
These frugal tips for your new baby expenses are easy to follow and work for any situation. A new baby is such a joy! Don't let finances trouble you. Use these practical tips to save money for your future and their future.
I'd love to know how you save money on new baby expenses?
Whether you are preparing for your first baby or additional babies, this ultimate new baby checklist is a must have! Every mom and dad need a few reminders of those items to have on hand with a new baby. From the classic things like diapers and wipes to the often forgotten first aid kit items, this list is a great place to begin with your new baby shopping.
The Ultimate New Baby Checklist
Diapers – At least one or two packages of the first three sizes. Babies grow fast so you will need more of larger sizes than small.
Wipes – There is no limit to how many to get, but try to avoid fragrances as they can irritate some sensitive skin.
Baby Wash & Baby Lotion – Stick with a sensitive skin formula at first then move on to others as you run out. I really like this Aleva Naturals Sleep Easy wash.
Diaper Cream – There are a number of quality brands but Penaten, Boudreaux's Butt Paste and Coconut Oil are the most popular.
Nasal Aspirator – This Hydrasense nasal aspirator came in handy quite a few times when my daughter was little.
Thermometer – A rectal, forehead or ear thermometer are the best choices for infants. This Etekcity one on Amazon seems to be highly rated!
Cotton Balls or Q-Tips – For the first week or two you will need these to help clean the umbilical cord area between diaper changes and baths with water.
Infant fever reducer – While you hope your baby doesn't run a fever, it's best to have an infant ibuprofen or acetaminophen on hand.
Bassinet or Playpen – A crib is great for when they are a bit older, but a bassinet or playpen with a built in bassinet is ideal for beside your bed in the first few months.
Receiving blankets – Thin and soft receiving blankets are the best for layering your baby to keep them warm. Heavier blankets can be a bit too much. You'll want a few of these on hand in case they get dirty. Muslin blankets seem to be the go-to these days.
Sleepers – The classic baby apparel. Get at least a few in the first two sizes available for the early days.
Onesies - Boys and girls alike are going to be comfortable wearing these. Perfect for layering underneath sleepers if your baby is born in the winter or for wearing alone in the hot summer months! I happen to love this style of onesie when they're tiny.
Pants – Depending on the season, pants or shorts are needed to cover little legs when getting in and out of cars, etc. for appointments. A few pairs will be enough to get them through the first few weeks.
Socks – Several pairs of baby socks are needed to keep their feet warm, but don't fear if they kick them off. Many babies don't like their feet being covered. Just cover with a blanket instead.
Hats – These are great only if you are going to be out in the cool air or hot summer sun and want to protect their head. Otherwise, most babies don't like wearing them.
Car Seat – This is a must-have for every new parent. A quality highly-rated car seat like a Britax is recommended.
Stroller – While not everyone will be taking their baby out and about, a stroller is almost always must on the new baby checklist.
Bouncy Seat – These are great for helping soothe a fussy baby. There are many versions out there. Just make sure you put them on the floor and not on a high surface where they can bounce off.
Bottles – Even if you intend to breastfeed, there will be an occasion when pumping and letting someone else feed with a bottle will come in handy. Try a few of different styles until you find one you like.
Breast Pump – For those who plan to breastfeed this is a must have. The Medela and Ameda pumps are typically the best brands for pumps.
New Mama Bottom Spray - Not much needs to be said about this, but new mamas will be so thankful for this perineal spray
This new baby checklist is the ultimate list to give you everything you need to prepare for your new addition to your family.
Did you know that Amazon offers a Baby registry? It’s free to sign up and you get to choose items from the earth’s biggest selection. They have over 270,000 baby items! Plus, they offer easy 45 day returns.
This week, save 50% off a selection of 50 books related to Women’s History Month online at Book Outlet! From such major historical figures as Cleopatra, Joan of Arc and Anne Frank to more contemporary women such as Sally Ride, Malalai Joya, and Hillary Clinton we’ve got biographies, literary fiction, historical fiction and more.
Book Outlet already has great prices so I imagine the sale prices will be fantastic.
I thought I would update you all on the coupon matchup situation! Since our new baby arrived not too long ago and the matchups are quite time consuming, they will be on a hiatus for the time being. It’s nearly impossible for me to find the time to put them together each week with everything else I’m juggling. 🙁
My apologies to those of you that rely on the coupon matchups each week!
On that note, if any of you happen to have a keen knowledge of current coupons and how to match coupons with sales, I’d love it if you’d consider providing a service to me and your fellow Simply Frugal readers 😀 Contact me here if you’re interested.
I thought I would update you all on the coupon matchup situation! Since our new baby arrived not too long ago and the matchups are quite time consuming, they will be on a hiatus for the time being. It’s nearly impossible for me to find the time to put them together each week with everything else I’m juggling. 🙁
My apologies to those of you that rely on the coupon matchups each week!
On that note, if any of you happen to have a keen knowledge of current coupons and how to match coupons with sales, I’d love it if you’d consider providing a service to me and your fellow Simply Frugal readers 😀 Contact me here if you’re interested.
I thought I would update you all on the coupon matchup situation! Since our new baby arrived not too long ago and the matchups are quite time consuming, they will be on a hiatus for the time being. It’s nearly impossible for me to find the time to put them together each week with everything else I’m juggling. 🙁
My apologies to those of you that rely on the coupon matchups each week!
On that note, if any of you happen to have a keen knowledge of current coupons and how to match coupons with sales, I’d love it if you’d consider providing a service to me and your fellow Simply Frugal readers 😀 Contact me here if you’re interested.
I thought I would update you all on the coupon matchup situation! Since our new baby arrived not too long ago and the matchups are quite time consuming, they will be on a hiatus for the time being. It’s nearly impossible for me to find the time to put them together each week with everything else I’m juggling. 🙁
My apologies to those of you that rely on the coupon matchups each week!
On that note, if any of you happen to have a keen knowledge of current coupons and how to match coupons with sales, I’d love it if you’d consider providing a service to me and your fellow Simply Frugal readers 😀 Contact me here if you’re interested.
