As you make a list of all of the things that you will need for your new baby, you may become overwhelmed. It might seem as though there is no way that you will be able to afford all of the things that you think you will need to take care of your baby. Fortunately, there are ways that you can bring down the cost of caring for your baby.
One way to trim expenses is to think carefully about what items you absolutely must have for your new baby. If you really sit down and think about it, baby care is a huge industry that caters to many different lifestyles. The parenting style that you plan to use with your new baby plays a big role in which items you will need out of the whole huge universe of baby stuff that exists. For example, if you plan to wear your baby in a sling or carrier, you may find that you don’t really need a stroller. If you plan to co – sleep, you won’t need a crib. Perhaps you could even do without a nursery altogether. Think less about what you have seen advertised or what all of your friends are using (unless you plan to have a similar parenting style) and more about what makes sense for your home and your family. Once you have your must – have list, go ahead and make a list of things that would be nice to have in case you find yourself with extra money or if people want to give you gifts or throw you a baby shower. Another tip – only buy what you will need to use right away. Some items like a high chair won’t be needed until baby is a few months old.
Another way to reduce the cost of caring for your baby is by renting or borrowing some of your baby items. While it is not a good idea to borrow or buy used for some things like car seats and cribs, other items can be had for a fraction of what they would cost if you bought them new. Clothing is one place where you can save quite a bit by borrowing from a friend or buying used at yard sales, thrift stores, consignment shops, or on Craigslist. Since babies grow so quickly, they only use each size of clothing for a few months before moving up to the next size. Also, newborns and babies do not move around as much as toddlers do so they (and their clothes) don’t get very dirty or worn out. Breast pumps can be pricey and it is not recommended that you buy them second hand. However, you can rent them and the rental ones are safe to use because the “personal parts” that actually touch your body and the milk are brand new for each new user.