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Babies can cost a lot – in theory. You read plenty of reports that say things like, “It costs X amount to raise a baby” but those numbers aren’t all that accurate in my opinion. If you cut out specific large baby costs you can save loads and raise a baby on the cheap.
Baby items you can ditch to save money:
The crib: Cribs, bassinets, and other sleeping items (sheets, mobiles, music boxes, etc) can all be eliminated by co-sleeping. My son co-slept and went straight from my bed to a futon on the floor (not some waste of cash toddler-sized bed). If you’re worried about co-sleeping consider this – people co-sleep trouble free in most of the world. It’s only in the U.S. and Europe that co-sleeping is frowned upon.
Formula and bottles: Breastfeeding is a huge money saver. Formula can cost $4 a pop, good BPA-free non-toxic bottles will cost you as well. Bottle feeding may also increase other costs like doctor bills (research shows that breastfed babies are usually sick less often).
Jarred baby food and other meal-time accessories: You can make homemade baby food for a fraction of the cost of jarred; plus it’ll taste better. You can ditch bibs and feed your baby sans clothing when at home. You can also skip fancy baby dishes. Some of these dishes are cute, fun, and handy, but other than baby spoons, most are unnecessary.
Don’t cave in on unnecessary or excessive baby items: People buy so much junk for their tots that it’s unbelievable. You don’t need a wipe warmer, a walker, shoes (until way later), a million outfits, or excessive toys. What babies need most are stress-free parents who can spend time with them. Parents with less baby costs can pull off this stress-free life better and the less you buy, the longer you may be able to extend your maternity/paternity leave.
How are you saving money on your little bundle?
[image via stock.xchng]
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I agree 100% with your recommendations!
We have a newborn and a 2-year-old – and we don’t even own a crib. Our 2-year-old sleeps on a mattress on the floor in her room and our newborn sleeps snuggled up beside me in our bed. Cosleeping has so many benefits…and the cost-savings is just one of them.
We also don’t use bottles.
And I agree with Lucy about bulky travel system strollers. I much prefer to “wear” my baby when we’re out-and-about.
The biggest eyesore that I had spent money on is the bulky stroller that came with the car seat. You just need a cheap umbrella stroller or maybe no stroller at all if you plan on wearing your child.
We’ve saved money by shopping for things at garage sales and consignment sales and stores. Also I’m not too proud to accept hand-me-downs! Also I sell stuff at the twice annual consignment sale as soon as we are done using it, that way I earn some cash for the new things we need and clear out the things we don’t need anymore.
We did co-sleep, but I still bought a crib and I’m glad we did. Our little one slept well with us at night until she was between 12 and 15 months old, then she started sleeping fitfully so I moved her to her crib and she started sleeping good and sleeping through the night again. Her naps were always taken in the swing, a borrowed bassinet, her crib or on a blanket on the floor. Her crib is one of those 3 in 1 things and I bought it off of Craigslist and paid $40 for it and the changing table that matched it. Then when I was finished with the changing table I sold that at a consignment sale for $50. So I’m glad we did it! Baby Boy will be here in June and when he is ready to move to the crib we’ll buy a new twin mattress and box springs for my childhood bedframe that is stored in our attic for Sugar to use, then when Baby Boy needs a “real” bed we’ll convert the crib to a bed for him. I’m happy with our purchase!
I saw the generic Enfamily with Lipil at a warehouse club tonight. You got a lot more formula for 1/2 the price! I think the 50+ oz was about $16. Those are pretty good savings. My children wear a lot of hand-me-downs, consignment, and yard sale clothes. Just a few weeks ago, we got some pants for $1/pair and a big box of Scholastic books for $5. I’ve definitely learned to buy thing used. It disappoints me when I have to buy something that’s not on clearance or used.
My husband and I happened to have our first child (a month ago) after many of our friends already had children. Because of this, we were able to get so many hand me downs. I’ve also not been bashful about asking to borrow things like our bouncy seat, pack n play and co-sleeper. The rest of what we needed we obtained through craigslist or yard sales. I would also like to look more into freecycling and clothing swaps, as he gets older and we need different things. Above all (as Jennifer wrote), I think avoiding the unnecessary and excessive is key.
My favorite money saver is to just make food for myself and feed some to my baby (it saves time too).
Lisa
http://www.babyfood101.com
Three words: Hand. Me. Downs.
Not just clothes, either. Toys can often be handed down as they’re outgrown before they’re worn out. Friends with slightly older kids are the best source. A one-year age gap is usually perfect, because the clothes will fit in the correct season.
Of course, you must take good care of them, get adept at stain removal, then pass them on when your child is finished with them.
i agree with most of the cost eliminating things. although i breast fed my 7 bio children that wasn’t an option with the infants i’ve adopted…and yes formula is very expensive…i think it’s about $13.50 a can now. the other thing i think is a must is a crib. i’ve co-slept with my children because i’m a light sleeper. but unless you plan on taking morning and afternoon naps with your baby and going to bed early when they do at night, it’s not at all safe to leave an infant-young toddler alone in an adult bed. you not only run the risk of accidental suffocation but also injuries that occur from a fall. a quality crib can be purchased inexpensively and if you plan on having several children, you’ll get plenty of use from it.