People tell me all the time, “Kids are so expensive.” I can totally understand when the kids get older. There’s a lot more to it with the sporting events, teens want name brand clothes, all the food that teen boys eat, I get it. But while they are young, until dare I say, 13, I feel like kids are pretty cheap. My oldest is 9 and I really don’t see all the costs that people talk about. Maybe it’s just me? Maybe I’m just cheap…
In order to help you save money on your kids, I figured I’d start at birth.
As a new mom, I remember buying a ton of things I didn’t actually need. I didn’t know I didn’t need them, because I was new. Thankfully, I was able to just resell them again and not lose any money, but you can save yourself the time and trouble by using this list below as a guideline for the true must-haves. It won’t be right for every family, but it’s a great list to help that new mom know exactly what she SHOULD spend money on, and what is just not necessary.
Also, many of these things you can buy used. Not sure I’d personally buy a crib used because of all the debate over it, and if you buy a car seat used, be sure it’s not expired, but many other things you can purchase at thrift stores, off Craiglist, eBay, Freecycle, and some cities even have mommy Facebook groups dedicated to selling solely kids stuff!
If this is your first pregnancy, I totally get how easy it is to get caught up in the emotion of having your first little bundle of joy and I don’t want to take that away from you, but if you plan to have more or you don’t want to go into debt, you want to make sure and start right. Don’t get all the fancy brand products to start, because believe me, that 1 month old will be 1 YEAR old before you know it!
You also want to start up a baby registry on Amazon and on Target’s baby registry. It’s super simple to do online and sometimes they will give you special deals and coupons for the things you select!
Saving Money: What Every New Baby Really Needs
Checklist for newborn shopping items:
- Infant car seat – make sure you know how to use it properly
- Electric outlet covers for small fingers
- Crib and waterproof mattress pad and bedding
- Bassinet if baby is going to sleep in your room the first month.
- Dresser
- Essential oils
- Diaper bag
- Changing table or pad foam form that attaches to a dresser
- Diapers and diaper bags to contain the stink (here’s how I get diapers and pull ups free)
- Diaper pail or garbage can with a secure lid
- Alcohol wipes for umbilical cord
- Bunting (if it’s winter)
- Receiving blankets
- Bed pads or waterproof mattress cover
- Soft washcloths
- Hooded towels
- Baby nail clippers
- Digital thermometer – forehead thermometers are my fav
- Baby brush and comb – if you’re having a girl, you’ll want hair clips
- Baby wipes
- Pacifier
- Nursing pillow if nursing
- Burp cloths
- Onesies
- Booties and/or socks
- Knit hats or sun hat if it’s summer
- Sleepers
- Gentle baby soap / shampoo
- Couple rattles
- Petroleum jelly
- Diaper rash cream (or make your own spray)
- Teething gel
- Mobile (super colorful with music)
- Baby monitor (I liked to use the video ones, but any monitor will do)
- Baby tub
- Bottles, nipples, bottle brush, formula (if bottle feeding)
- Perfume and dye-free laundry detergent for the first few months
- Baby swing (helps calm babies down; at least it did mine. I don’t like the ones with the legs shapped like an L. I’ve seen those tip over!)
- Baby bouncer with vibration (calms baby down; at least it did mine)
