It is a bit overwhelming to think of EVERYTHING you need (or the registry list suggests you’ll need) for a newborn and the price tag that comes with the essentials. I know it is hard to keep the worries at bay when pregnant or becoming a new mom (especially when the hormones are in full swing), so here are some ideas for parents or soon-to-be-parents for saving money.
Online Savings
Take some time to search online for free stuff because there’s a ton of it for new parents. A few worth mentioning are signing up for a free trial of Honest Company baby products by going to Honest.com, registering at Target.com to receive an extra 15 percent off anything on your baby registry, and signing up for a 30-day free trial with Amazon Mom, which helps parents and caregivers find and save on products from prenatal to toddler years.
Baby Clothes and Items
To save on baby clothes and items, have a baby shower for your first little one because let’s face it, people love buying adorable, miniature clothes and baby gear. Go to consignment sales and join Facebook “buy and sell” groups to find gently used furniture, clothes and gear. Be cautious, though, with used car seats and cribs. Car seats have expiration dates on them, usually 7 – 10 years after they are manufactured (plus, you don’t know if they have been in an accident). There are concerns with cribs as a lot of older models, like drop-side cribs (which have been recalled), pose a safety risk for the baby getting stuck in between the mattress and the side of the crib.
Diapers
Here is a big expense for new parents. An average newborn goes through 10 diapers a day, and you can change up to 7,300 diapers by your child’s second birthday. Another jaw-dropping stat on diapers: by your little one’s third birthday, you’ll have spent more than $2,100 buying diapers! So, how do you save on them?
- Ask for coupons and samples of baby items from the maternity unit at the hospital and your child’s pediatrician, and sign up for coupons from baby companies. Hospitals may have free diaper bags available as well. Sometimes the diaper companies include coupons to use on your next purchase.
- Buying diapers in bulk can save you money, or use the online companies (mentioned above) that offer deals for their registered customers, which usually includes free shipping.
- There are diaper banks out there for families experiencing financial difficulties. Macaroni Kid National’s Non-Profit of the Month is the National Diaper Bank Network, which collects, stores and distributes free diapers (disposable and cloth) to families in need. A directory of local diaper banks can be found online at www.nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org.
If you are able, breastfeeding will save you greatly. It is very beneficial for your baby, too, as breast milk contains important vitamins and nutrients, as well as antibodies to help fight infections. If breastfeeding isn’t an option, baby formula companies offer coupons for registering on their websites.
Good luck to all of you taking on the journey of parenthood. I wish you happy savings!
Tawnya Burket lives in the northern panhandle of West Virginia raising two kiddos with her husband. She has a master's degree in communications and produces Weirton - Steubenville Macaroni Kid for her community.
