Easy ways to save money with a newborn
Sometimes it feels like your bank account will struggle to recover after having a baby. Yes, having a baby can be costly, but outside of hospital fees, having a newborn baby doesn’t have to be super expensive! Here are 5 easy ways to save money with a newborn.
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Start a Registry
By making a list of the essential items that you need for a newborn and creating a budget you will be able to get a clear picture of the prices of items.
How much should you need to put aside for your baby is in fact a tough question. And it varies with every single situation. Even though it may seem like you will never have enough cash – as soon as the newborn arrives, you’ll realize that what you’ve spent would be worth all of it!
Starting when you are pregnant, you can put together a baby registry to help you to make a clear list of all of the items you want and need. And ask your friends and family to buy gifts from that list. This way you get exactly what you want and won’t be ending up with duplicate items. Another great reason to have a registry is that you can shop the sales and only get what you actually need.
Breastfeed
Breastfeeding is extremely cheap. In fact, it’s essentially free. Our bodies are made to feed our child for the first 6 months of their lives with no other input! When you compare breastfeeding with formula on price alone, breastfeeding is significantly cheaper According to babycenter.com formula costs between $70 to $250 a month, and this is money that can be saved by breastfeeding.
However, as a breastfeeding mom, you will eat a few hundred calories more. And in our modern world, you may like to invest in some items that will make your breastfeeding time easier. Things such as a good breast pump, bottles, storage bags, a nursing pillow, bra and nursing pads will make breastfeeding much more comfortable. But if you really want to save money you can do without or buy second hand.
See our list of how to Simplify Breastfeeding!
Skip the Stroller
Strollers are everywhere with modern parents, and they do have a place. However if you are looking for a way to transport your child that is really cost effective, you should look into a baby carrier.
A baby carrier is one of the best investments you can make for your child. Baby carriers support your baby’s legs and neck and are a great way to help your baby sleep.
Choose a baby carrier made from lightweight breathable fabrics and you will be able to take your baby just about anywhere and not have to worry about dragging a pram up a flight of steps.
And if you want to save even more money here, baby carriers are available second hand! Just be sure to check all the stitching and don’t purchase if there are any signs of damage or wear.
With a modern stroller costing anywhere from $500 – $2000, a baby carrier could save you a good chunk of money.
See our article on Babywearing on a Budget!
Buy Second Hand
Buying second hand can sometimes feel a bit icky, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. This is particularly true with baby items. It’s worthwhile checking secondhand marketplaces before you buy anything as most things are available second hand, including toys, carriers, cloth diapers and breast pumps. Just make sure that you thoroughly wash and sanitize all items before using.
With second-hand baby items, you get to buy items that have already been tried and tested, at a heavily discounted rate. Expect to save 30-50% off the new price for a second hand item.
Use Cloth Diapers
Did you know that disposable diapers are a new invention? Previous generations of parents have used cloth diapers out of necessity, even before washing machines were invented.
Luckily nowadays, there are plenty of commercial and handmade cloth diapers available. Cloth diapers offer so many benefits for babies and the environment, especially when compared to disposables.
Modern cloth diapers look similar to disposables, but cloth diapers use cloth as their main material. They are often made from soft and absorbent materials like cotton terry cloth which feels comfortable against the skin and keeps moisture away from sensitive areas.
Using cloth diapers not only helps the environment but also is an easy way to save money with a newborn since cloth diapers can be washed and reused over and over again. No more buying diapers at the grocery store, and less waste going to landfill.
An added bonus of cloth diapers is that babies tend to potty train quicker when using them, so that’s a double win!
Cloth diapers are initially more expensive, with a higher cost per diaper to purchase, but because they can be used hundreds of times their cost reduces. According to Kerry Taylor of Squawkfox.com, you can save around $1,800 in your first year of cloth diapering. You can further reduce your costs by buying cloth diapers second hand and selling them or using them for multiple children.
Learn how to Cloth Diaper on a Budget!
Conclusion- Easy Ways to Save Money with a Newborn
I hope that these quick tips have given you some ideas on ways to save money with a newborn baby. A lot of money can be saved simply by only buying things once you actually need them. Babies grow so quickly and sometimes they outgrow the things you thought you needed before you get a chance to use them. For this reason, being frugal in what you buy will serve you well so you can save more money.
Zoe Amy is a writer and mum with a passion for breastfeeding. From finding the right breast pump to natural term weaning and gentle parenting, you can find more at https://breastfeedingmama.net
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- Cloth Diapering on a Budget
- Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Breastfeeding
- How to Save Money on Babywearing
Love it! So many people are clinch-y about cloth diapers but they are really easy. And any parent can tell you that even if you use disposable you will get poop on you. It is just going to happen! lol Diaper sprayer is your friend!
So true! It was a commitment, but it saved us a lot of money, and once we got in the swing of it, it wasn’t that hard!