Raising a child from birth to age 18 can cost anywhere from $200-250K. That’s the MSRP of an Audi R8 GT, which takes much less time commitment and maintenance cost. However, there is hope for new and expecting parents. Discount sites exist for every market niche, and items for infants and children are no exception. Check out BabySteals, Baby Half Off, Green Baby Bargains, BabyDirect and more. Instead of spending a fortune on your new arrival, following these tips can save you a bundle on your bundle of joy.
Diapers
The average infant uses about 6,000 diapers in the first two years. Parents have two main options for diapering: cloth or disposable. It’s a question not only of cost but also convenience, environmental concerns, and of course baby’s comfort. Fortunately, there are ways to save with both options. If you prefer disposable, you can save by buying in bulk. Diapers.com is a great place to comparison shop, buy in bulk and save. Amazon Warehouse Deals offers open-box and slightly damaged merchandise at a discount, so you will sometimes find quality diapers in damaged packaging, although the stock is not constant. Nearly all diaper manufacturers offer coupons on a regular basis, so keep an eye out for those as well. If you choose cloth diapering, prefolds are usually the most economical option. They will require a diaper cover or nylon pants and some type of fastener. DiaperJungle.com has a wide selection of cloth diapers, diaper accessories and bed & bath for baby well as resources for those new to cloth diapering. Those who choose cloth may want to use a diaper service to save time although it will cost a little more.
Clothing
When it comes to clothing, babies don’t demand designer duds or the latest fashions, and they don’t know or care if an older sibling or cousin wore it first. Good quality secondhand clothing or store brands make sense, since an infant grows out of clothing so quickly and won’t wear it long enough to be worth spending a lot. Rompers, sleepers, socks and a hat or two are the basics, plus cold weather gear if the climate demands it.
Food
Making your own baby food does save you money, but this savings is even overshadowed by its other benefits, particularly for parents who prefer “natural” choices for their baby. By making your own, you ensure that it is always fresh with no additives, and if your child has allergies it is easy to ensure food safety. With simple one-ingredient purees to more complex table food recipes, you can give your baby greater variety of tastes and textures, incorporating the same fruits and vegetables you already buy for yourself.
Healthcare
At each baby checkup, ask your doctor for free samples. Companies send masses of their product samples that the hospital or clinic is glad to distribute to parents. Before scheduling an appointment concerning an illness, call your pediatrician. Experienced professionals can often diagnose common problems over the phone, saving you the time and hassle of an appointment as well as the co-pay.