Finding out you’re expecting a baby should be one of the most joyous experiences of your life – but it can also be pretty scary too. You have so much to think about and plan for, your life is going to change in ways you haven’t even considered, and on top of all that there’s the cost of all the equipment you need to buy for a new baby. Once the euphoria of the news has calmed down, then unless you’re wealthy, the prospect of spending thousands of dollars on cots, prams, clothes, toys and all the other paraphernalia you’ll need can be quite daunting. If you’re worried about how you’ll afford all these items, don’t let it get you down; there are all sorts of ways to save money and still have everything you need for a happy, healthy baby.
Needs vs. wants
When it comes to making purchasing decisions, clever marketing and the influence of social media can make you feel like you must have a particular brand or product. The inference is that unless you buy product A, you won’t be doing the best for your baby, but in most cases this is not true. What you need to think about is getting everything your baby needs, without wasting money on designer labels and branded products. If you have plenty of cash to spend you can buy whatever you want, but if funds are limited, concentrate on safety and quality over fashion. For example, your baby might look very cute in a designer sleepsuit, but having a desirable label on it doesn’t mean it will do a better job of keeping baby warm and comfortable than one from the supermarket.
Safety considerations
When it comes to purchases like car seats, this is one area where you should never compromise. Buying the safest car-seat you can is essential to protect your child in the event of an accident, so don’t buy a second-hand seat or a cheaper version. Go for the best you can find, that has plenty of evidence to back up its safety claims. Mattresses are another purchase that shouldn’t be done on the cheap, because inferior materials and construction may not be so effective at preventing cot death. If you’re struggling to find the cash to buy the best products, it’s worth considering a small personal loan or other form of credit to cover the purchase costs. Using credit facilities such as the loans outlined on this page can be useful to help out with these more expensive but essential investments.
Second-hand
Re-using pre-loved items is not only a sensible way to save money, but you are also helping to reduce consumption of raw materials, and that’s a positive action for your baby’s future. The great thing about baby clothes and equipment is that as babies grow so quickly, most items hardly get used and are pretty much as good as new. Websites that sell nearly new and used items are a treasure trove of everything you could want for your baby. You can often get those desirable designer labels for a fraction of what they cost new, if you can’t resist them! Local charity shops, car boot sales, baby groups, local newspapers, and community social media pages are all great places to find good quality clothes and equipment for your baby. Or you might have friends and family members who have collections of baby items they would be happy to pass on to you.
Feeding your baby
From a purely practical point of view, breastfeeding your baby will save you a lot of money in the long run. Buying formula milk can end up costing a sizeable amount of cash, whereas breastmilk is essentially free. The best thing about breastmilk is that scientific studies have shown repeatedly that it is the best option for your baby, so it’s not only free, but it’s the best source of nutrition your baby could have. That’s a definite win-win situation! It’s also a tremendously rewarding experience, once you’ve mastered the technique. If you aren’t sure whether it’s for you, find out as much as you can beforehand, and talk to mothers who have breastfed their babies. You’ll find quite a few will have struggled in the beginning, but once they’ve got the hang of it, they don’t look back.
Do you need a cot, a pram, and a Moses basket?
This is an example of how there are many products available that you might assume you need, when in fact one will do perfectly well. If you buy a pram with a detachable cot, you will find it much easier to transfer your baby from pram to car in the early months. The cot will also perform the function of a Moses basket, so you won’t need to spend money on an item you don’t really need. Likewise, small cots are unnecessary for most babies – they can go from the pram cot into a cot bed that will last them until they are five or six. Use this logic when considering what you need to get, and providing you have a safe and healthy option for baby, don’t spend when you don’t need to.
Toys
Baby toys are alluring, bright, and often irresistible! They are also designed with baby’s safety in mind, so a selection of items that have different textures, sounds and colours can be valuable for baby’s development, as well as keeping them happy. However, there are lots of ways you can make your own toys far more cheaply, which baby will love just as much. One of the best ideas is a treasure basket, filled with all sorts of different items from around the house that baby can pick up and investigate. If you’re not sure what’s safe to include, check the recommendations on reputable websites.
You can save a great deal of money by being smart with your purchases, while still providing everything your baby needs. Becoming a parent really is one of the most wonderful experiences in life, so be clever with your cash and don’t let money worries affect this happiest of times.
