Are you wondering how you can save money on baby items? If so, then I’ve got some tips for you.
Having a baby is an exciting journey. With that excitement also comes the stress of buying everything that your baby needs. There’s no need to break the bank to get every baby item out there.
I’m a stay-at-home mom whose family survives on one income. Because of that, I’ve learned about various ways you can save money on baby items. Keep reading to find out what they are.
Before we figure out how to save money on baby items, we first need to determine what exactly we mean by “baby items”.
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What are baby items?
Baby items refer to everything that you believe your baby will need in the first few years of life. Your list of baby must-haves will change as your child gets older. They will need more stuff.
Below are some of the baby items you’ll need in the first few years.
Baby gear
The term baby gear refers to equipment and larger items you’ll need in their early years of life. Some of those items include a stroller, bassinet, crib, baby carrier, swing, or bouncer.
Of course, there are more baby gears out there, but these a the ones I believe are necessary to have.
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Baby items for Sleeping and bathing
You will need some baby items to bathe your child and get them ready for sleep. Some of those items include a baby bathtub, a sound machine, and a baby monitor. Of course, you’ll need a swaddle or sleep sack to put them in as well.
Items for feeding baby
To feed your baby, you’ll need a high chair, silicon plates, a bib, a straw cup, spoons, and forks.
Other baby items
Some of the other things you’ll need for your baby are clothes in various sizes as well as diapers and wipes. You’ll also need a baby formula or breastmilk to feed your child.
If you’re planning on using breastmilk, then you may also need a breast pump.
So now that we’ve made a list of all the things your baby needs, let’s take a look at how we can save money on each of these baby items.
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How do you save money on each baby item?
We’ll break each category down to figure out how we can save money on each baby item. Keep reading to learn more.
How to save money on baby gear
It goes without saying that nowadays, some baby gears are a necessity. Others are things we can do without.
When I had my kids, the only gear I used was a stroller, a crib, and a baby carrier. I bought an expensive swing that my son hated. I ended up selling it to recoup some of my money back.
One way to save money on a stroller, crib, or baby carrier is to get a hand-me-down or buy a used one. You can join your local “Buy-nothing group” on Facebook to see if anyone is giving away these items.
I got a barely used baby carrier with this method. In my local Buy-nothing group, people give away strollers, bassinets, and cribs all the time. If you have family or friends willing to give you their used baby gear, that would be a great option as well.
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How to save money on baby clothes
There are several ways to save money on baby clothes. They include buying only items on sale, shopping at re-sale stores, using coupons, etc.
I have a whole article on all the ways you can save money on baby clothes. Check it out here: 11 + Ways To Save Money On Baby And Kids’ Clothes
How to save money on baby diapers and wipes
Diapers and wipes are one of the major expenses of raising a baby. One way you can save money on this baby item is to use cloth diapers.
Using cloth diapers will save you about $800 dollars each year. That’s how much disposable diapers cost depending on the brand (source). Cloth diapers can be used over and over until your kids are potty trained.
So you’ll only need to invest in the upfront cost of buying the diapers.
If you really want to use disposable diapers, then buy the store brand. This will work for wipes as well.
Most people shy away from store brand items because they believe it has a lower quality. That’s not true. Most store brand items are actually made in the same factories as name brand items.
I know for sure that Huggies also makes the Kirkland store brand diapers that Costco carries.
How to save money on baby formula
If you’re a non-breastfeeding mother, then this is a baby item you can’t do without. The amount of money you save on baby formula depends on how sensitive your baby is and what type of formula they tolerate.
Some babies can only have a certain brand/type of formula. This makes it hard for the parents to save money.
Here are some ways I’ve found to save money on baby formula
Ask for free samples from formula companies
Formula companies are always eager to get moms to use their brands. A great way to save money on this baby item is to ask for free samples.
When I had my first child, I requested free sample cans from Similac through their Similac Strong Moms program. I ended up getting 6-9 cans of different brands of Similac formula sent to me a few months before my due date, and during my baby’s first year.
Ask for free samples from your pediatrician
I received a lot of free cans of formula from my pediatrician as well during my baby’s first year. Pediatricians can request special hard-to-find formulas from the manufacturer for you if you really need them.
These manufacturers rely on pediatricians to recommend their brands to parents, so they won’t say no when asked for a free sample can.
Use state assistance
If you qualify for state assistance like WIC, you can get money towards formula from the program. Your qualification depends on how much income you earn and how many people are in your household. To find out if you qualify, check out the USDA website.
Buy store-brand formula
If your child doesn’t require the sensitive formula, then consider buying a store brand. Stores usually own their own manufacturing facilities so they can produce formulas for cheap. This means they also sell them cheaper than most name-brand products.
Buying a store-brand formula is a good way to save money on baby formula.
Use coupons/rewards programs
Most retail stores like Walmart and Target have rewards programs. Similac also has its “strong moms” rewards program.
Make sure you wait for when you’ve accumulated enough reward points to get a great deal on formula before you buy. Don’t wait until your stockpile of formula runs too low before buying more.
Buying anything last minute leads to spending too much money. This is because you’re more worried about feeding your baby, instead of thinking of which brand is cheaper.
Buy formula when they’re on sale
Another way you can save money on baby formula is to buy them only when they’re on sale. To do this, you’ll need to check the store magazine so you’ll know when items are going on sale. I know Costco and Target have a store magazine that gives this information.
When you see that a brand of formula is on sale, stock up as much as you can so you won’t have to worry about it for a while. This way, you’ll be getting the maximum savings.
Join a formula exchange program on Facebook
During the formula shortage of 2022, there were several Facebook groups created to help parents get access to formula. Look around to see if you can find a formula exchange Facebook group in your area.
In the group, you’ll be able to swap formula, buy an unopened can or donate whatever excess you have before it expires.
Buy formula in bulk
I’m sure you’ve heard that buying in bulk helps you save money. This also applies to formulas as well. Wholesale companies like Costco and BJ sell items in bulk.
When you buy formula there, you’ll be saving money on the individual units of the formula. You will get a discount because you bought a bundle instead of one container.
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How to save money on breast pump
A breast pump is a great baby item to have if you’re going to be breastfeeding or exclusively pumping. I used a breast pump to store excess milk for my “freezer stash” when my kids were little.
This way, I could leave them with their dad or another caretaker without worrying about them not having enough food. To save money on breast pumps there are some things you can do:
Contact your insurance for a free pump
Nowadays, most insurance will cover the cost of a free breast pump. All you have to do is contact their customer service. They’ll give you a form that your doctor will fill out and fax over to them. After you’ve chosen a breast pump, it’ll be sent to you before your baby is born.
Get a manual breast pump
A simple manual breast pump is a great way to save money. You can get them for as cheap as $30 dollars on amazon. I really like the Medela manual breast pump on Amazon. It’s simple to use especially on the go. It pulls a good amount of milk from the breast.
If you’re planning on exclusively pumping or doing a mix of pumping and breastfeeding, then you may want to invest in a double electric breast pump.
You can get very affordable electric breast pumps on Amazon. I personally used and loved the Ameda Mya Double Electric breast pump from Amazon.
I loved it so much that I didn’t even use the pump I got from my insurance company.
Use a buy-nothing group on Facebook
Once again, I’ll sing the praises of the buy-nothing group because I’ve gotten so many things from them.
If you have one in your area, it’ll be a great way to save money on a breast pump. I’ve personally given away my old breast pumps in the group and received others as well. Check to see if your neighborhood has a buy-nothing Facebook group.
Get a used one from a family or friend
To save money on a breast pump, you should consider getting one from friends or family. It’s a good idea to try out as many pumps as you can to give you an idea of which one you like the best.
This way you won’t waste your time and money buying a pump you end up not loving. It’s a hassle to return them. Some companies may not even accept them used.
That’s why testing different pumps from family and friends is a great idea.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot in this post. To recap, I’ve explained to you how you can save money on baby clothes, baby gear, diapers, and wipes. I also explained how you can save money on baby formula and breast pumps.
If there’s any money-saving tip I missed, please feel free to comment below and let me know. I hope you’ve learned how to save money on baby items from this article.
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