Saving money by buying only what is really needed is the first step to staying within your baby shopping budget. Trying to buy a massive list of items before your child is born can be pointless too.
After your baby is born, the things you cannot do without are maternity pads, nappies, a warm outfit for the baby, a hat, booties, a baby blanket, babygrows and a car seat. A car seat is required before your baby is allowed to leave the hospital. Clothing, babygrows and car seats can be bought second-hand or borrowed if need be (although be careful of the provenance of car seats, as they may have been damaged).
For transportation, most people use cars, so a car seat is essential. Some car seats form part of a kit that can be used as a pram or cot too. It is important to note that small babies should not be curled up for too long and therefore need a pram or seat that can be adjusted to lie flat. This is why slings and baby carriers are not suitable for babies under four months, or for long trips. Investing in buggies can be good, if you plan on walking often. Spending money on expensive three-wheeler all-terrain buggies may not be such a good idea, especially if you will only use it on pavements for short trips to the shops. Most parents use standard light-weight buggies. These are cheap and versatile and last for years.
A cot is the best long-term investment for providing your baby with a safe sleeping spot. Cribs and baskets are not suitable past the first couple of months of growth and cots are much safer. By the time your baby outgrows a cot, it is time to buy them a bed.
Baby clothing can be a big expense if you choose brands. Remember that your child will grow in rapid spurts and clothing will hardly last a season in most cases, before becoming too small to wear. You will need many changes of clothing per day, so buy cheap, second-hand, or get hand-me-downs. The same principal applies to toys. Get second hand toys whenever possible and bear in mind how fascinated babies can be with simple things like cardboard boxes and pillows.
Gadgets that are useful include baby monitors, breast pumps, bouncers and swings, but these are not generally essential.
Items you can do without include books about baby care and pregnancy, since these are available at all libraries (and you have found MummyPages!). Other items you don't really need are baby baths; your kitchen sink or handbasin can do the same job. Babies do not need special towels or cloths, so what ever you already own should be adequate.
Breast feeding instead of bottle feeding can save a small fortune. Consult your physician or seek advice from your local clinic if you unsure about any aspect of breast feeding.
Disposable nappies are not essential, but are convenient and save time and effort, because they do not require cleaning. To make them cost efficient, buy in bulk, make use of specials and buy the cheapest effective brands that you can.
After your baby is born, the things you cannot do without are maternity pads, nappies, a warm outfit for the baby, a hat, booties, a baby blanket, babygrows and a car seat. A car seat is required before your baby is allowed to leave the hospital. Clothing, babygrows and car seats can be bought second-hand or borrowed if need be (although be careful of the provenance of car seats, as they may have been damaged).
For transportation, most people use cars, so a car seat is essential. Some car seats form part of a kit that can be used as a pram or cot too. It is important to note that small babies should not be curled up for too long and therefore need a pram or seat that can be adjusted to lie flat. This is why slings and baby carriers are not suitable for babies under four months, or for long trips. Investing in buggies can be good, if you plan on walking often. Spending money on expensive three-wheeler all-terrain buggies may not be such a good idea, especially if you will only use it on pavements for short trips to the shops. Most parents use standard light-weight buggies. These are cheap and versatile and last for years.
A cot is the best long-term investment for providing your baby with a safe sleeping spot. Cribs and baskets are not suitable past the first couple of months of growth and cots are much safer. By the time your baby outgrows a cot, it is time to buy them a bed.
Baby clothing can be a big expense if you choose brands. Remember that your child will grow in rapid spurts and clothing will hardly last a season in most cases, before becoming too small to wear. You will need many changes of clothing per day, so buy cheap, second-hand, or get hand-me-downs. The same principal applies to toys. Get second hand toys whenever possible and bear in mind how fascinated babies can be with simple things like cardboard boxes and pillows.
Gadgets that are useful include baby monitors, breast pumps, bouncers and swings, but these are not generally essential.
Items you can do without include books about baby care and pregnancy, since these are available at all libraries (and you have found MummyPages!). Other items you don't really need are baby baths; your kitchen sink or handbasin can do the same job. Babies do not need special towels or cloths, so what ever you already own should be adequate.
Breast feeding instead of bottle feeding can save a small fortune. Consult your physician or seek advice from your local clinic if you unsure about any aspect of breast feeding.
Disposable nappies are not essential, but are convenient and save time and effort, because they do not require cleaning. To make them cost efficient, buy in bulk, make use of specials and buy the cheapest effective brands that you can.
