Now that I am expecting my second baby, I am having to remember all of the ways to save the most money on baby gear. I wanted to share some things that really helped us save money when we had our first baby and what we are doing now to save even more.
I have learned a lot during my 6 years of being a mom. Saving money on baby and kid items has been a huge part of that. Kids grow so fast and go through so much stuff that it can be hard to figure out where you can save money and when you need to get more expensive, higher quality items.
If this is your first baby and you are wondering, ” How can I save money on baby stuff?” I hope that the below list will help get you started on the right track.
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Save the Most Money on Baby Gear
Clothing
One of the smartest and easiest ways to save the most money on baby gear is by buying second hand clothes for your baby. They will outgrow their outfits so quickly that it doesn’t make sense to spend full price on clothes that they may not even be able to wear.
You can find some great deals on Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, consignment stores, friends, and family. I have seen so many baby clothes on Facebook Marketplace that still have the tags on them. People get so many baby clothes that they aren’t able to use all of them.
You can probably get an entire season’s worth of brand new looking clothes for around $40-$50 or less on Facebook Marketplace when you could easily spend that on a couple of new outfits from a department store.
When buying clothes keep in mind how old your baby will be during certain seasons. If they will be 3 months in the winter, you don’t want to buy summer clothes that are size 3 months.
Babies grow at different rates, some may grow faster than others. I recommend buying clothes at the beginning of every season so that you don’t stock up on clothes that they may outgrow at a faster rate.
Plus, when you buy secondhand clothes, you can easily sell them to get some of the money back that you spent once your baby outgrows them!
Buy Items that Grow with your Baby
When deciding on items to put on your baby registry, look for ones that will grow with your baby to really save money in the long run.
Convertible cribs are great! They go from crib to toddler bed to full size bed. It will easily last your child until they are a preteen.
Convertible car seats are another great option. They will last your baby from infant to 7+. These items are usually more expensive up front but will save you hundreds from having to buy new items during each stage of your child’s life.
Also, look for items that can be used for more than one purpose. We bought a pack and play that had a bassinet sleeper on top. Instead of having to buy a separate bassinet that we may have used for just a few months, we put the pack and play by our bed. This saved us at least $200 since we didn’t have to buy two different items.
Affordable Baby Items
Second Hand or Free Baby Gear
Just like with clothes, you can buy other baby gear from Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores. This is great for things like pack and plays, swings, bassinets, nursery furniture, etc.
Before you buy anything second hand, make sure to look up the make and model of that item to make sure it hasn’t been recalled and that it is still being made in case parts are missing.
I have seen some Mamaroo baby swings on Facebook Marketplace for $50 when they normally sell for over $200! Babies outgrow them so fast that they are practically brand new!
You can also look for some baby freebies that are available online. I’ve seen free car seat covers, leggings, slings, nursing pillows, and more. You will have to pay for the shipping costs but the items are free.
You can see more about how I was able to Stock my Baby’s Nursery for Free.
Free Breast pump and Hospital Items
You may be eligible to get a free breast pump through your insurance. This is a great way to save hundreds of dollars!
You can check to see if your insurance will cover one for you by filling out a form.
When you are discharged from the hospital, make sure to ask the nurse what you can take with you. Most of the things will be included in your bill anyway.
The blue nose bulbs are a must have! They are better than anything we bought at the store. Our nurse let us take two home with us. Ask about any extra diapers, pads, witch hazel pads, etc. that both baby and mom will need for recovery.
Money Saving Tips for New Parents
Start Buying Diapers Early
Once I found out I was pregnant, I started stocking up on diapers. I would keep an eye out for any sales and promos that I could match with coupons to save the most money. By buying a little bit at a time, we were able to have a nice stockpile of diapers and wipes once our daughter was born.
It is so nice not having to rush out to the store and pay full price for a pack of diapers because we ran out. I would recommend buying a few newborn packs of diapers but they will quickly outgrow that size.
I think our daughter used sizes 1 and 2 the most so that is what we will really be stocking up on during this second pregnancy.
Check out these tips for more ways to save money on diapers.
Put Everything on your Registry
I mean everything! Whatever is left on your registry after your baby showers, you will get to purchase at a discount. When you set up a Target baby registry or an Amazon baby registry you will get a 15% off coupon that can be used on whatever is left on your list.
I recommend setting up registries for both of these because they have other perks that will help you save even more money.
Go Reusable
When thinking about items to put on your registry, figure out what you can list that is reusable. This is not only great for the environment but great for your wallet, too!
During this pregnancy, I made sure to list reusable breast pads on my registry. I spent so much money buying breast pads with my first baby that this will save us a bunch of money.
Cloth diapers are another purchase that can save you money in the long run but that option wasn’t realistic for our lifestyle. If you can do it, that is awesome!
Some other reusable items that will save you money are: breastmilk storage bags, food pouches, and swim diapers.
These are just a few realistic ways that you can save the most money on baby gear. For even more info, check out this post for how to financially prepare for a new baby. These are tips every parent should know.
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