Preparing for Baby without breaking your budget

Was it really only a year ago that we were worrying about acquiring baby ’stuff’ for our soon-to-be-born Baby TCoP?  There we were, scanner and list in hand, setting up a registry and having not a clue what was essential for our baby.  We spent countless hours spent researching baby ’stuff’, inquiring of our siblings and parents as to what was necessary, asking for hand-me-downs, and scouring the classified ads. Our goals was to acquire the baby ‘essentials’ without breaking our budget.  How much we have learned in less than a year of parenthood!  We’d like to pass along the following tips to prospective parents.

1. Formula. Don’t leave the hospital without getting your free formula samples.  We ended up with several canisters.  I was tempted to throw it out since I was breastfeeding, but was advised to keep it just in case. That was good advice.  After 6 months Baby TCoP started on formula to supplement the breast milk and the free samples lasted several months.  These free samples also come with diaper bags which we have found very useful. 

2. Diapers. We did our own informal testing of diapers when baby TCoP was born.  We had been given several bags of Huggies and Pampers diapers.  We bought a couple more bags of store brands.  Then, we mixed them all and started using them.  You know what? We really couldn’t tell the difference between the brands.  And there was no difference in performance.  Parent’s Choice (Walmart brand) is now our brand of choice.  $13.67 for the large box (104 at stage 3, 80 at stage 5). 

3. Baby Clubs.  Be sure to sign up for the baby clubs at the store you shop at.  I previously posted about the Publix and Winn Dixie Baby clubs.  I’m sure there are others.  They will give you valuable coupons and free gifts.

4. It doesn’t have to match! The first thing you see when you walk into our local Babies R Us store is the beautiful nursery furniture.  Sure, it would have been nice to have a nursery for Baby TCoP with matching furniture and themed decor.  But with a cost of a couple grand to do so… we knew we would be wiser to spend the money elsewhere. We had a table that was the perfect height for a changing table. Our crib and mattress were found for free on Craigslist. 

4. Borrow and Beg…  We are lucky to have siblings with kids.  The hand me downs were amazing.  And not just the numerous bags of clothes, but toys and other baby ’stuff’.  We are already passing on whatever we can to the next siblings to have kids.  Your best resource for baby stuff may be family and friends, let them know you are in need of anything they can pass along.

5. … or Buy cheap. If asking for hand me downs doesn’t work, check out Craigslist, Freecycle, garage sales, or consignment shops.  Because Baby stuff is used for such a short length of time here are always people looking to get rid of items, and usually in tip-top shape! The important thing about chosing this route is to know what you are getting. Safety is very important, so make sure any ’stuff’ you acquire for your baby is fairly new, so that it meets the latest safety standards and is in good shape.

 Our essentials: 
*Travel system.  These are the car seat / car seat base / stroller combinations that allow you to move your baby from car to stroller to home while she is still sleeping like a baby in her car seat.  What a luxury! Unfortunately, Baby TCoP outgrew hers at 6 months and we are already missing these days.
*Simple hand breast pump (if you are breastfeeding).  the unintended ah-ha! use for the hand pump was for car travel.  Having the simple hand pump allowed me to pump while riding in the car and then feed Baby TCoP (once she was old enough the take a bottle). No more lengthy stops at the rest area! 
*Onesies.  You can never have enough onesies.
*Diaper Genie.  The refills on these are so expensive, $6 for a canister.  Many times we have discussed getting rid of this contraption and just using plastic bags.  We can’t do it.  The Diaper Genie is so worth it for the cleanliness and lack of smells.
*jogging stroller.  If you are a runner or jogger, this is a must.  The one we have (and most that we have seen) can’t be used until the baby is 6 months old.  And jogging strollers are not easy to manuever.  They are meant to go straight and the front wheel must be lifted to turn, so you will not want to use it in place of a regular stroller.
*pack n play.  If you are travelling, even just to grandma’s house, this is essential.  Especially when baby is old enough to crawl.
*bouncer and swing.  Baby TCoP used these extensively during her first 6 months of life.
*receiving blankets.  Be sure to get large ones that can be used for swaddling.  Most of the ones sold are small and square and useless.  The ones used in the hospitals are the perfect size and weight.
*bassinet. Baby TCoP was out of hers and into her crib by 3 months, but this bassinet was necessary during those 3 months.
*digital ear thermometer.  I think we paid close to $40 for ours, but it was well worth it.  It is very quick and easy to use.  Instant results on baby’s temperature.
*Baby Tylenol.  It is best to have this ready.  When baby needs it you don’t want to have to run to the store.

Happy Parenting!!