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5 Ways to Save Money with a New Baby
January 23, 2017 8:30 am | by

When you have a new baby arrive at your home, you start looking for ways to save money and stretch every dollar as far as possible. My kids are grown now, but working as a postpartum doula I’ve learned how people save money and have a few handy tips to share with you.

1. Save Money with Cloth Diapers

The first way that comes to mind is by using cloth diapers. I had a postpartum doula client in the city who was using a diaper service for cloth diapers, and we did the math and this is what we came up with: Her service cost $22.50 per week for 85 diapers. I then looked at Pampers, and for 88 disposable diapers, it was 32.00, so that is about a $10.00 savings per week. The savings would add up even further if you laundered the cloth diapers yourself.

2. Breastfeed to Save on Feeding Costs

The second way of saving money with a new baby is to breastfeed! There is no cost to it and you will have a much healthier mom and babe. The cost for Similac formula right now is $25.79 for a container of powdered formula (23.2oz), not sterile. Or $48.29 for the liquid form, 8 oz. 24 pack, sterile.
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3. Eliminate a Bassinet

The third way to save money with a new baby, if you have a breastfed baby, is to co-sleep with the baby and therefore no need to buy a bassinette. You can safely co-sleep with a breastfed baby by following these guidelines:

  • Both parents need to be onboard with the idea.
  • Neither parent can be partaking of alcohol, drugs (including some prescription meds), or smoking, the mattress needs to be firm with a tight fitting sheet.
  • There can be no blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals around the baby.
  • Baby needs to sleep on its back.
  • See these guidelines by the University of Notre Dame for more tips on safe co-sleeping.

4. What Gear Do You Really Need?

The fourth way to save money with a new baby is not to buy all the contraptions that are on the market right now for babies. For most babies, all you really need is a Moby Wrap (or similar type baby wrap) and perhaps a swing or Dock a Tot for when you really need to put the baby down. Many of the other contraptions on the market are not always necessary.

5. Use Household Items Instead of Specialty Baby Items

The fifth way to save money with a new baby would be to use items you already own instead of replacing them with baby-sized versions you’ll only use for a few weeks. For example, you might choose to skip the baby bathtub and just use your kitchen sink. I know parents who never use a changing table but instead change the baby in the crib (with the side lowered) or on their own beds with a towel draped over the comforter.

How do you save money with a new little one in the house?

About the Author

Founder of Christine's Care & Compassion, LLC, I am a certified birth doula, postpartum doula, lactation counselor, childbirth educator, bereavement support, aromatherapist, and herbalist. In addition to these, I teach a breastfeeding class and a newborn care class. I also have an Etsy shop called ChristinesCreations8, where I sell homemade, natural products for self, family, and home. I live in Center City, Philadelphia, and am an empty nester, with 3 grown children, and live with my Golden Retriever, Honey, and my Tortie, Harvey Two-Face!

Comments

2 Comments

  • Rachelle said...
    January 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    Don’t forget the car seat! Unless you don’t have a car 🙂 An infant car seat is unnecessary usually, you can skip right to the convertible car seat (if its rear-facing).

    • Angela England said...
      January 25, 2017 at 1:28 pm

      Great tip – a convertible car seat that works for infant-child can save a lot of money in the long run.