Using Alternatives to Save Money on Baby Gear
Instead Of...
A baby bathtub typically costing $20-30
Choose...
It costs less than half as much and can be used in the sink or the regular bathtub, whichever you prefer. This is easily one of my favorite baby products.
Instead Of...
A Diaper Genie with Expensive Refills
Try...
A metal trashcan with a lid
Instead Of...
A changing table $$$ a pad $20+ a pad cover $8+
Try...
For around $30 it contains baby's necessities and can easily be moved from room to room.
(If baby's room is not on the main living level in your home you'll love that you can keep one in your living room and not have it be an eyesore).
(If baby's room is not on the main living level in your home you'll love that you can keep one in your living room and not have it be an eyesore).
Instead Of...
A Maternity Pillow costing $50-100
Use...
A regular body pillow
Walmart has one right now for $10.88, you can also find them on Amazon for about $25
Instead Of...
Sticking with Walmart, Target and Amazon
Check out...
Ikea's baby department if you live near one, they have some great items that might save significant money. I love their toys, bibs, dishes, and I strongly considered buying one of their cribs. Ikea cribs are smaller than most, which some might find to be very convenient.
Instead Of...
Buying an expensive name brand nursing pillow
Visit...
NursingPillow.com and enter promo code BBFAC1 which will make the pillow free when you pay for shipping&processing. You'll end up with a nursing pillow for $12.95.
The same code will work at their sister sites:
www.uddercovers.com
www.sevenslings.com
www.carseatcanopy.com
www.milkbands.com
www.bellybuttonband.com
www.babyleggings.com
www.hotslings.com
I have personally used their nursing cover, milkbands, nursing pads, and sling and have been very pleased with every product.
Instead Of...
Buying a bunch of expensive baby toys that just end up being clutter.
Purchase...
An Exersaucer or Jumparoo (As a side note, at $55 and $75 these are both good prices right now)
It's convenient because it provides a safe place to set your baby and the toys don't get lost. I prefer the Exersaucer over the Jumparoo because, in my experience, when they're little it's easier for them to turn the seat in the Exersaucer and when they get bigger it helps them practice their balance. My babies have started loving them between 4-5 months when they are strong enough to hold themselves up, and I use them until after they start walking to keep them contained.
If you Really want to save money...
Instead Of...
An infant carseat and stroller
Consider...
A Convertible Carseat and a baby carrier.
Chances are you will need to buy a convertible car-seat anyway in order to keep baby rear-facing until age two as is recommended, so perhaps it would make more sense to start out with a convertible.
Find out everything you need to know about choosing and using a convertible for a newborn Here.
The Maxi Cosi Pria with Tiny Fit, and the Combi Coccoro are even recommended for preemies! See the link above for other great seat recommendations and information
I'm considering doing this if/when I have another child. Instead of clicking their car-seat into the stroller, or setting it on a shopping cart, or lugging around that painfully heavy thing, I'll put baby in a baby carrier and have my hands free to manage the other two.
A great, inexpensive baby carrier I would recommend is the Infantino Sash Mei Tai Carrier. I tried it out with newborn number two and was very impressed, especially for the price. It lends the comfort, support and versatility of a wrap, but is easier to put on.
Instead Of...
Sticking with a Traditional In-Store Baby Registry
Start an Amazon Baby Registry Here
30 days before your due-date you are eligible to purchase remaining items for an extra 10% off (15% if you're an AmazonMom member)!!! And you can add products from other websites so if you've shopped around and found great deals it's a good way to pass those deals on to people who want to purchase gifts for baby.
Instead Of...
Buying Diapers Ahead of Time
Wait...
And find out which diapers actually work for your baby.
I regularly hear the suggestion to buy a box of diapers every month until your baby gets here to ease the financial burden once he or she is born. While this may seem great, it really makes no sense to me. In my experience, I've always been pre-paying medical bills (hundreds of dollars a month, so life's not really less expensive before my babies arrive) Why not open a separate savings account, take the money you would be spending on those diapers and stash it away. Then you don't risk buying boxes and boxes of diapers that won't work for your little one. What of your baby is allergic to the diapers you bought? My first baby could use any diapers, though for those first couple of months I preferred Huggies Little Snugglers. For my second, I bought Little Snugglers and he leaked out of them, constantly. The only diapers he didn't leak out of were Pampers Swaddlers, until he was 4 months old, and then his BM's changed and we can now use any diapers, yay for Sam's Club and Target brand diapers!!!
If you've saved that money instead of buying diapers with it, you can try different brands without having to try and exchange them, or, since you've already worked diapers into your budget you can use that money for other baby necessities, pictures (newborn pictures are the best!), or a babysitter for a night out (or grocery shopping)!!!
Instead Of...
Sticking with Walmart, Target and Amazon
Check out...
Ikea's baby department if you live near one, they have some great items that might save significant money. I love their toys, bibs, dishes, and I strongly considered buying one of their cribs. Ikea cribs are smaller than most, which some might find to be very convenient.
Instead Of...
Buying an expensive name brand nursing pillow
Visit...
NursingPillow.com and enter promo code BBFAC1 which will make the pillow free when you pay for shipping&processing. You'll end up with a nursing pillow for $12.95.
The same code will work at their sister sites:
www.uddercovers.com
www.sevenslings.com
www.carseatcanopy.com
www.milkbands.com
www.bellybuttonband.com
www.babyleggings.com
www.hotslings.com
I have personally used their nursing cover, milkbands, nursing pads, and sling and have been very pleased with every product.
Instead Of...
Buying a bunch of expensive baby toys that just end up being clutter.
Purchase...
An Exersaucer or Jumparoo (As a side note, at $55 and $75 these are both good prices right now)
It's convenient because it provides a safe place to set your baby and the toys don't get lost. I prefer the Exersaucer over the Jumparoo because, in my experience, when they're little it's easier for them to turn the seat in the Exersaucer and when they get bigger it helps them practice their balance. My babies have started loving them between 4-5 months when they are strong enough to hold themselves up, and I use them until after they start walking to keep them contained.
If you Really want to save money...
Instead Of...
An infant carseat and stroller
Consider...
A Convertible Carseat and a baby carrier.
Chances are you will need to buy a convertible car-seat anyway in order to keep baby rear-facing until age two as is recommended, so perhaps it would make more sense to start out with a convertible.
Find out everything you need to know about choosing and using a convertible for a newborn Here.
The Maxi Cosi Pria with Tiny Fit, and the Combi Coccoro are even recommended for preemies! See the link above for other great seat recommendations and information
I'm considering doing this if/when I have another child. Instead of clicking their car-seat into the stroller, or setting it on a shopping cart, or lugging around that painfully heavy thing, I'll put baby in a baby carrier and have my hands free to manage the other two.
A great, inexpensive baby carrier I would recommend is the Infantino Sash Mei Tai Carrier. I tried it out with newborn number two and was very impressed, especially for the price. It lends the comfort, support and versatility of a wrap, but is easier to put on.
Instead Of...
Sticking with a Traditional In-Store Baby Registry
Start an Amazon Baby Registry Here
30 days before your due-date you are eligible to purchase remaining items for an extra 10% off (15% if you're an AmazonMom member)!!! And you can add products from other websites so if you've shopped around and found great deals it's a good way to pass those deals on to people who want to purchase gifts for baby.
Instead Of...
Buying Diapers Ahead of Time
Wait...
And find out which diapers actually work for your baby.
I regularly hear the suggestion to buy a box of diapers every month until your baby gets here to ease the financial burden once he or she is born. While this may seem great, it really makes no sense to me. In my experience, I've always been pre-paying medical bills (hundreds of dollars a month, so life's not really less expensive before my babies arrive) Why not open a separate savings account, take the money you would be spending on those diapers and stash it away. Then you don't risk buying boxes and boxes of diapers that won't work for your little one. What of your baby is allergic to the diapers you bought? My first baby could use any diapers, though for those first couple of months I preferred Huggies Little Snugglers. For my second, I bought Little Snugglers and he leaked out of them, constantly. The only diapers he didn't leak out of were Pampers Swaddlers, until he was 4 months old, and then his BM's changed and we can now use any diapers, yay for Sam's Club and Target brand diapers!!!
If you've saved that money instead of buying diapers with it, you can try different brands without having to try and exchange them, or, since you've already worked diapers into your budget you can use that money for other baby necessities, pictures (newborn pictures are the best!), or a babysitter for a night out (or grocery shopping)!!!
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| Visit brianmickelsonphotography.com to check out an awesome photographer with awesome prices! |
How have You saved on Baby Gear?
This Post Contains Affiliate Links to help you locate great items at great prices. I haven't recommended anything I wouldn't choose myself. Click Here to view my Disclosure.
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