Having a new baby is so exciting! It can also be very expensive. There are so many ads and commercials in your face every day of everything you MUST HAVE for your new baby. A lot of these "must have" items are not necessary at all. Let's go over the essentials you need for your new baby and how to check off the list on a budget! Continue reading to learn how to get almost all of these essentials for under $230!
Necessities:
- Somewhere for baby to sleep (bassinet, pack n play, or crib)
- Feeding essentials (breast pump, pump parts, bottles)
- Diapering (diapers, wipes, diaper cream)
- Clothing (onesies, sleepers)
- Transportation (car seat, stroller)
- Hygiene essentials (bathtub, towels, wash rags, baby shampoo/body wash, etc.)
Somewhere for Baby to Sleep:
Whether you buy a bassinet, pack n play, or crib depends on how much space you have and your budget. If you don't have much money to spend right now and need somewhere for baby to sleep, just get a pack n play. Some pack n plays even come with a bassinet attachment. If your budget is more flexible, you can opt to get a bassinet for the first few months and then transition baby to a crib.
Feeding Essentials:
If you are exclusively breast feeding, you may not need any feeding supplies at first besides some burp cloths. Before purchasing a breast pump check with your insurance. Most insurance plans cover free breast pumps, replacement parts, and milk storage bags for moms. If you are bottle feeding or exclusively pumping, you will need to buy a few bottles. You don't have to go crazy here, get you 2-4 4-ounce bottles to start and you can buy more later as baby needs bigger bottles. You will also need a bottle cleaning brush. A feeding pillow is not necessarily essential, but it makes breastfeeding much easier for you and baby.
Diapering:
You will need to stock up on as many diapers and wipes as you can over time. Don't buy too many newborn diapers because you don't want to waste your money. Your baby may only be in newborn diapers for a week, or they may go right to a size 1 diaper from birth. I would only buy one tube of diaper cream to start, remember, we are on a tight budget and don't want to waste money on things we might not use!
Clothing:
Depending on what season and location baby is born in is going to determine what type of clothes you will be buying. Also, for this category it really depends on what your budget is. For the basics; onesies, sleepers, mittens, socks, hats, and bibs. These are just the basics, if your budget allows splurge on some cute outfit sets for baby.
Transportation:
The only true necessity here is a car seat. A stroller is nice to have but it isn't a necessity. Car seats can be expensive, so be sure to be on the lookout for deals and coupons.
Hygiene Essentials:
A baby bathtub is relatively inexpensive. You can usually find one for under $20. You will also need a couple towels and wash rags, baby shampoo/body wash, nail clippers, and a thermometer.
Miscellaneous:
It's a good idea to grab a few swaddle blankets as they can have many uses, such as swaddling, burp cloth, nursing cover, play mat, makeshift changing station, etc. You will want some type of bag to put things in for baby if you have to travel somewhere. If buying a new bag isn't in the budget right now, just use a bag you already have. A bouncer and/or a swing is nice to have, again not necessarily essential but you will want to have somewhere to sit baby. As you are able to, buy some playtime essentials such as teething toys and playmats.
List:
Buying Used:
Buying used is a great option if you are on a budget! I have found many great finds on Facebook marketplace. Goodbuy Gear is also a great place to find used baby items at a reasonable price. If you have a used children's clothing store near you, such as Once Upon A Child, you can also find good used baby gear and clothes there. Thrift stores and mom groups on Facebook are also some other options.
Please note that it is recommended not to buy car seats, cribs, or crib mattresses used.
Sign up for all the freebies and coupons you can:
- Pampers
- Huggies
- Similac
- Enfamil
- Amazon (free welcome box with baby registry)
- Target (free welcome box with baby registry)
- Walmart (free welcome box with baby registry)
- Babylist (free welcome box with baby registry)
Other Tips:
- With some baby registries you will get a coupon code to use once you meet the requirements.
- Target almost always has coupons on their website/mobile app for baby items.
- Buy items that can be multiuse (ex. convertible car seats, swaddle blankets, pack n play)
- At the hospital, ask your nurse for extras of items such as diapers, wipes, formula.
- You can make/buy cloth diapers.
Conclusion:
Set your realistic spending limit and stick to it. Buy the most necessary items first and then buy the "nice to have" items. Start buying things gradually so you have time to shop around for deals and coupons. You don't want to be scrambling at the last minute and have little options. Babies don't need expensive things, just your love and safety. Share your best budget find in the comments!
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