Buying For Your New Baby Without Breaking The Bank

[jeffrey]

By Amanda

After my daughter was born, I sat down and looked over all of the unnecessary and unused items that I had accumulated during my pregnancy. A baby "backpack" to carry my child around in (turns out she absolutely hated it), swaddling blankets that promised that baby would be so comfortable that she would sleep all night (which she still has not) and many other items.

For reasons unknown, I purchased these items because I thought they would make me a better mother. Now that my daughter is older and I have become a little wiser, I have compiled a list of absolute necessities for a new mom. Hopefully, this will help you save time and cash when shopping for your new baby.




Onesies (creepers): Plain onesies are the best item of clothing for baby. They are usually inexpensive so you can buy a variety of sizes without breaking the bank and they are comfortable clothing for baby. Make sure that you purchase the appropriate type depending on the weather at the time your baby will be born.

Pacifiers: I recommend purchasing a couple of different types of pacifiers. See which ones your baby prefers and then purchase more according to baby's preference. Three to four pacifiers are sufficient: one for the diaper bag, one for the car and a couple in the house are all you need.

Bottles: Some babies like a faster flow nipple when others prefer a slow flow nipple. Purchase a couple different types of nipples and see which one your baby prefers. Also, I recommend purchasing five to ten bottles so you are not constantly washing bottles.

Diapers: I have found in talking with other new moms that most babies fit comfortably in preemie diapers for the first week or two after being born. With this in mind, purchase one package of preemie diapers and one package of size one's. The selection of sizes will keep you from having to run to the store to buy the next size up or down in diapers.

Car Seat: Before purchasing a car seat be sure to research safety and customer reviews for car seats that you may purchase. Prepare a list of reliable seats to bring with you when you register for or buy the car seat.

Pants/shorts: If you are going to take your baby out of the house, make sure that you have pants and/or shorts (depending on the weather) to properly cover up your child. I recommend at least seven pair of pants/shorts for baby.

Socks: Socks are necessary to keep little feet warm! Have seven pair of socks on hand so you can limit doing your little one's laundry to once a week.

Bassinet/Co Sleeper: Before baby is born discuss your sleeping preferences with your partner. Some new parents prefer co-sleepers while others prefer cribs or bassinets. Be sure to research your picks before purchasing or registering.

A Few Toys: Have a few toys on hand such as rattles or small toys with lights. These will help develop your new baby's senses. However, do not go overboard. Your baby will be more interested in sleeping than playing so save your money until baby is older.

Blankets: Someone told me that you can never have enough blankets for your newborn and boy were they right! Blankets get dirty fast so make sure you have enough on hand. I would recommend anywhere from 10-20 blankets for baby in a variety of thicknesses and textures.

Some optional items that I found useful are as follows. Remember you do not need these items for your baby but some people find these things helpful.

: You may want to let your little one try a swing before you buy it. Some babies don't like swings!

Movies: Again, try one of these out before you buy a whole set. Typically babies will not be interested in made for baby movies until they are three months old.

Diaper Bag: If you cannot afford a diaper bag in the beginning, a large purse or even a grocery bag can serve as a diaper bag in the interim.

Stroller: If you do not plan on taking your baby out very often or if you cannot afford a stroller do not worry. Many stores offer shopping carts with baby chairs or just carry your baby when you bring baby out. If you decide to purchase a stroller be sure to research all of your options before you buy one.

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Amanda is a writer for The Craft Cafe. Find card making, scrapbooking, free printable projects, recipes and more at The Craft Cafe

[PrincessPerky]

A different perspective if you want it:

onsies You are supposed to expose the cord at first, how do you do that if you are snapping it up under the diaper? Also when they get older, the cloth diaper may not fit inside a normal onsie, so I like tee shirts, and sleepers. I do like a couple onsies for pictures though, they stay much better.

other clothing if it is a girl you will want some girly things, if a boy, something blue and preferably with dump trucks will be attempted to stop the 'is it a boy or girl' question, it wont work, but we try!

Socks, your kid will kick them off asap, so a pair for show to be quickly taken off and left in your husbands pocket for the next picture is all you really need!

diapers If you need to save money cloth works wonderfully, though if you go all out fo the newfangled fits like disposable, you can end up spending the same. If you want disposable, never assume your baby's bottom will fit in the neighbors favorite brand, Test out different brands to find what works best with your dipering style. And for premie or newborn diapers, you will possibly get some at the hospital, that was always more than enough for my big babies, ask around for anyone you know who is pregnant, they may be more than happy to get rid of the spare tiny diapers.


Blankets Needing them depends on the temperature of your house at birth, and wether or not you breastfeed, brestfed kids typically share mommy's blanket if chilly (and body warmth keeps all concerned warmer than bottle babies. I have 4 neutral and 2 each of gender specific, never ran out after my first kid (and with him I ran out of everything, all the time, Nothing got done!)

Speaking of breastfeeding, if doing it you don't need a single bottle, though one or two in case wont hurt (well not much)

While on the subject of what brestfeeders typically don't need, pacifiers, breasfed babies have to suck more often, that is why a baby is born with the need to suck. Bottles deliver formula faster and leave a baby with more work digesting it, so there is no ability to go back to suckling quickly, hence the increased need for a fake 'dummy'. You can easily avoid that plastic pricy contraption, by breastfeeding.

diaper bag I put some form of diaper carrier on essential, but I have only used an actual diaper bag for a month afte my first is born. You will have to expirament with what fits your style (mine is a backpack, that my older kid carries, my hands are full with a baby!) Lots of formula companies give you a diaper bag at birth. check online or ask your nurse.

baby containers Really that is what strollers/carseats/bassinetts/slings/backpacks/cribs/playpens/ect count as. The only one essential to safety of your baby is the carseat, buy one! The rest, buy what fits you. (and be prepared to give it back when you find out you were wrong!)

I am a antistroller parent so I have a sling (really packs up light and easy, and carries newborn to walking, and beyond) If you are a stroller mom, get one (but please watch the size, the rest of us have to get around it, and you!) Also check handle height, 6 foot tall people can't push traditional strollers without getting all hunchbacked! Backpacks, I have rarely seen in use in public, aside from hikers, so I can't say I know anyone who likes them. Crossover carriers, half sling/half formal carrier, I see alot of though. Parents seem to like the extra form over a plain cloth sling.

If you are a cozy family sleeper kind, let em in the bed and skip the bassinett. If you are the type to find a holder so your newborn can't roll over in their sleep, get a small sleeper that fits in your bedroom (you will be checking on them all night anyway!) Or if you are inbetween, and have the space, get a bassinett or craddle and use it to store the decorative pillows and stuffed animals you no longer have time to place neatly on the bed!

Cribwise, the so called convertables hardly ever get converted, either you have another kid, or you are unwilling to put your 'tiny baby' in a toddler bed that has a mattress almost as high as their head! I recomend a simple sturdy crib, with gender neutral style.

books I know you think reading to a tiny infants is silly (so did I!) but do it anyway, get touchy feely books, or cloth books or the squishy bath books, and try to point out a picture or two before they stuff it in their mouth. Honest they will one day read them to you, not eat them! Simple words, simple pictures and repetative reading works great for the very young.
[b]toys/movies/'stuff'[b] have a teaeher or 5, a noisy one is helpful, but make sure it can be chewed on for years to come..the rest is just to amuse mommy, doesn't do much for a baby busy checking out your shirt, shoes, the box, your spoon (keep the knife away please!)

[lukkyb22]

Hey you want freebies, formula is where it is at! You will normally get a free can at the hospital, and if you register on different companies websites they normally send you a welcome packet with a sample can or with coupons for $$ off. If you are going the breastfeeding way, you probably want to invest in a pump and a few bottles regardless. Sometimes you just GOTTA get away, and need to leave them with something (and a way to relieve youself). Last thing--don't buy a single thing in the 0-3 month range. you will get it all as gifts or handmedowns. And there are MOPS chapters everywhere. Moms bring in old clothes and folks can pick thru them for anything that may fit their kiddos. All For Free!

[Saving in So Cal]

When my daughter was born, the conventional wisdom was to try to avoid pacifiers. Since then, pediatricians have started recommending that babies use a pacifier while sleeping to prevent SIDS. I assume this new advice applies to breastfed babies as well, but you should discuss it with your pediatrician and then decide what's right for your family.

As for a crib, we decided to use a portable crib with a removable bassinet. They are relatively inexpensive (around $100 for a new top-of-the-line model, $60 for a basic model), versatile, and, of course, portable. My daughter used it until she was 15 months old without any problems.

Regarding car seats, we learned that one size does not fit all. My husband and I are tall, so our daughter is tall as well. We're on our third car seat because she outgrew the first two. We had trouble getting the straps around her even though the straps were as loose as the seats permitted and she was within the weight limits for the seats. (The five-point harnesses do not allow for separate height and width adjustments. If you use more strap to accommodate height, you have less strap to accommodate width -- a definite problem for a tall baby.) Our current car seat, which will also serve as booster seat when she gets older, has the most adjustable straps we could find. I have read that manufacturers are now making seats for heavier kids. These might work for taller kids, too.

[boomeyers]

Garage sales were the mecca's my daughters were brought up on. If it did'nt fit, got stained, did'nt work out, we just resold it in our next sale. Many toys for the first few Christmas' and birthdays came from here.
Having friends with children that were around your childs age, but not the exact age, were goldmines too. I borrow this while you borrow that and we would switch later, according to age.
I breast fed all three, although #2 had to go on the bottle early, but by the time I reached child #3, I would'nt even consider buying baby food! What a waste! Large jars of no sugar added applesauce, with baby rice, a microwaved mashed yam, softened carrots, mashed peas..... all soo much cheaper!