How To Really Save Money On Baby Items

Are you looking for smart ways to save money on baby items?

Going on a shopping spree when you have a baby is common. It somehow makes the whole experience real.

Be careful though.

Buying baby stuff can leave a huge dent in your pocket. As much as you can recover from this dent, sometimes the effect lasts a long time.

The very first step is to have a budget and stick to it. No matter what. After that, you can start exploring how to buy baby stuff on a budget.

You want to avoid the agony of being unable to buy something for your baby because you overspent on the last shopping spree.

If you are ready to start making better choices when buying, use these genius tips and save money every time you go buy baby products.

How To Save Money On Baby Items

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Learn clever ways to save money on baby stuff. Using these tips has helped me avoid spending unnecessarily and leaving a little extra to spend the following month.

Buy Quality

Another trick to save money on baby items is to always buy quality.

Quality baby products last longer

After you have shopped for a while, you will realize that quality products can also be cheap.

There have been a few occasions where I purchased overpriced baby stuff that didn’t last longer than their cheaper counterparts.

The trick is to do a quick inspection. If it is baby clothes, feel the material and stretch it.

Take Good Care Of Your Baby’s Things

Things like baby clothes, bibs, receivers, toys, dishes, etc, can get worn out with time. They get damaged even quicker if they are not well cared for.

Wash baby clothes and layette with a delicate soap and follow care instructions on the label to avoid damage.

Avoid scratching dishes and toys and allowing them to fall as they can break and send you to the store sooner than planned.

Always use baby equipment as instructed.

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Don’t Buy Overpriced Products

Contrary to popular belief, buying expensive baby products doesn’t always mean you are getting quality.

It doesn’t even mean you love your baby more either.

If you can and you want to buy expensive stuff for your baby, there is nothing wrong with it.

However, if you are looking for ways to save money on baby products, expensive is not the way to go.

Find a few places where you can get the quality you prefer and

This brings us to the next point…

Diversify / Shop Around

Buy baby items at different outlets.

Always shop around before you start buying. The idea is to find where to go for different items.

If you want to save money, avoid having only one place where you buy everything.

From my experience, it is highly possible that you will find your favorite shop for buying onesies, another one for baby hats, etc.

In some instances, you will find that the quality is the same but the items are priced differently at different shops. Always go for the cheaper price.

Buy Bulk On Sale Items

This one is my favorite way of saving money on baby products, especially diapers, wipes, and other toiletries.

Whenever I see a sale on any of these items, I buy extra for the coming months.

These products will be back to their original price in the next month. Buying them in bulk and on sale means you can continue to enjoy the discounted price in the coming months until they are on sale again.

Keep Your Receipts Just Incase

Returning items you bought to the store is common.

It can happen that you purchase the wrong size or you realize you don’t really need something. If you keep your receipts safe you can always exchange the goods or ask for a refund.

Without a receipt as your proof of purchase, getting a refund or an exchange will be difficult and you will have to spend more money to buy again.

Avoid Buying Impulsively

I have lost count of how many times I came from the shops having spent way more than I had planned because I saw the most adorable baby outfits.

If you have extra money to spare, this might not have that much effect.

With a tight budget though, impulsive buying can leave you with more than just guilt. The extra money spent could have covered other necessary expenses.

Avoid getting over-excited when looking at baby items and thinking you need to make a purchase there and then.

Those items will be there the following day. You might even find more adorable stuff when you go next time.

Use A List When Shopping

Use A Shopping List To Save Money On Baby Items

Always go to the shops with a list. This way, you will know exactly what you are looking for and only focus on that. Doing this has saved me a lot of money.

Put the most important items first and end with the least important items on your shopping list. Estimate how much you can expect to spend, don’t go over this amount.

The remaining items can always be bought at a later stage as they are less important.

Having a shopping list will also help you stick to a budget.

Don’t Buy Unnecessary Baby Items

If you are on a tight budget, some products can be a waste of money. I say if you can do it yourself, skip the equipment.

For example, baby wipes warmer, bottle sterilizers, and warmers can be purchased only when absolutely necessary. The same goes for a diaper pail. Life continues even if you don’t have these items. T

It always feels good to splurge to make life easier, but if you want to save, there is no need to pay for something you can do for less.

Boil baby bottles or use a microwave sterilizer instead of using an expensive electrical or UV version to sterilize. Use affordable disposable diaper bags instead of a diaper pail.

Buy In Advance

Buy items you will need before you actually need them. For example, buy summer clothes on sale when winter starts.

This way, you can scoop up some discounts when available instead of buying at a higher price later.

I was never aware that winter clothes go on sale when summer starts and vice versa. A friend actually gave me this tip and I have been using it ever since.

Go For Second-hand

Using second-hand baby stuff is often frowned upon. It is almost as if buying completely new items is a sign of how much you love your baby.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Buying preloved baby items doesn’t mean you love your baby any less. You are just budget-conscious.

You should however be careful of which baby items you can buy second-hand and which ones you need to buy new.

Things like baby bottles, baby clothes, blankets, etc, can be reused.

There is no need to spend a fortune on these items, especially if you are trying to save.

Reuse baby items

Buy Gender Neutral Baby Items

If you know you are still going to have another baby, buy gender-neutral baby stuff.

Things like toys, fitted crib sheets, baby bottles, etc, can be reused. Therefore it is wise to buy them in neutral colors to accommodate a baby boy and girl.

It doesn’t make sense to buy a new bathtub for your baby boy just because the one you have at home is pink, even though it is still in perfectly good condition.

Breastfeed If You Can

Baby formula is costly and will definitely make a dent in your budget. If you have that choice, choose to breastfeed your baby.

You can always pump and bottle feed if you need to get back to work.

If breastfeeding is not an option for you, read this post on how you can save lots of money on formula.

Take Advantage Of Vouchers And Discounts

There is no such thing as being perceived as unable to look after your baby just because you buy baby things at a discount. I call it being wise.

From the time you get pregnant, you can get coupons for signing up for different reward programs or get discount cards to use every time you purchase baby items.

For example, you can sign up to get coupons to redeem when buying baby formula, or when you buy diapers.

Some shops have discount cards that you can swipe every time you make a purchase and let you pay less, others like T a rget, offer a loyalty program where you can earn rewards to redeem at a later stage.

Get Freebies Whenever You Can

Most medical insurances give a gift pack when you sign up for their baby programs. In there you will mostly find items to help you during pregnancy and some baby products.

You can also get freebies at your gynecologist’s office and at baby shops.

Use Cloth Diapers

Using cloth diapers is one of the ways to save money on diapers.

Since they can be reusable, cloth diapers don’t cost as much as disposable diapers and you don’t have to purchase them every now and then.

Handle them with care to avoid having to replace them sooner.

Share Stuff With Your Baby

I use the same shampoo and emollient cream my kids use instead of buying expensive toiletries.

You can also share things like washing powder with your baby. In most cases, the ingredients are the same but the baby version costs more.

Some baby items look and smell the same as those of grown-ups, have the same ingredients but surprisingly cost more.

Repurpose Gifts You Don’t Want To Use

Instead of packing away all those presents you received from friends and family because you have no use for them, repurpose them.

Did you receive too many of those small cotton receivers? Use them as burp cloths or breastfeeding scarfs.

Received baby mittens but you are not comfortable with using them? Slide them onto your baby’s cute little feet and use them as socks instead.

If there is any gift you don’t think you will use, think of other things you can use it for. The trick is to think out of the box.

Skip Unnecessary Consultations

Unless your medical insurance covers it, wait before you book countless standard consultations that come after giving birth.

For example, you might end up not needing those postnatal classes, appointments with a dietician, lactation consultations, etc.

If you have the assistance of someone experienced with caring for a baby, they will teach you how to bathe your baby, massage them, and how to feed them. You won’t need postnatal classes as much as a new mom with no assistance at all.

This way, you can save money and use it for something your baby needs.

You should never skip your and your baby’s six-week checkup though, as well as baby immunizations. Those are important.

Recap On Saving Money On Baby Products

In many cases, you find that you are getting less for more, only because of making the wrong choices.

If you really want to save money on baby things, you need to think and plan, use a budget, and be disciplined.

There is nothing wrong with spoiling your baby every now and then. Buying things for our babies makes us feel good.

The problem is if buying baby products leaves you broke and not knowing how you will afford another important shopping trip.

Be wise and use these tips and see how you can help yourself spend wisely when you have a baby.