The Ultimate Baby List for Money Saving Moms

I am sure we have all heard from a relative or two, how expensive babies are. When compiling a list of what all I wanted to have for the baby, I realized just how expensive baby items can really be! But, babies don’t have to be! I am a firm believer in if somethings for sale, there is always a cheaper way. Large companies dote on expecting mothers with wide eyes and have an array of expensive, sometimes unneeded products.

While I am all for splurging on the right items, and will probably buy a thing or two that I don’t need being a new mom and wanting to spoil her; I wanted to put together a list we could all benefit and save a few bucks from! Soon I will be also sharing some freebies that us moms can take advantage of, so be on the look out! This post does contain affiliate links to provide a better and visual shopping experience.

Diapers

There are a few different money saving tips when it comes to diapers. Every month that passes in this pregnancy, we have bought one box of diapers. I have particularly gone to Target because they consistently have $2 off Pampers or Huggies diapers. Since she’s our first, we don’t know what diapers she will like so I have been buying a variety.

Target will allow you to exchange diapers out for different ones, even without a receipt, so this will be a great way to test out which brand works for your little one. Also, if you have the Target app and scan it after every purchase (even if you didn’t apply the coupons), it’ll rack up your spending into points and you can turn it around and it will cover one of their rewards. They also have deals now of buying a certain amount and getting a gift card!

If you aren’t particular about brands, investing in memberships at Costco or Sam’s Club cards would be worth your while and you can buy their brand of diapers in bulk and usually for a little cheaper than on brand. If you don’t know what sizes to buy, I discovered this helpful chart that will be posted below on how much of each you should stock up on!

Clothes

If you are having a baby shower, your friends and family are probably going to help you big time with this one. A great tip is to scour online selling pages, like the Facebook marketplace to find huge amounts of baby clothes for a really low cost. Local consignment stores, events like Just Between Friends, and yard sales are great for finding cheap clothes too! Babies destroy a good amount of clothes in the early months, so don’t feel pressured to spend the top price for these!

I know the struggle of wanting to buy every single custom onesie on Etsy, or buying that must need outfit at the baby boutique, but honestly, I am being realistic and know that my baby will probably go through so many outfits in a day, and I’d rather not have my money crapped on: literally. I recently went to a baby consignment store and got a lot of clothes for very little cost. The benefit is when she grows out of them (and they aren’t destroyed) I can take them back and make a few bucks off of them.

Bottles

If you read one of my most recent posts, I purchased the Playtex drop-in liner bottles. I am excited to use them because even though I plan to breastfeed, it’ll be handy to store them and drop them in the bottles for feedings. I didn’t realize just how expensive bottles can be, and it is honestly intimidating with all the different brands and styles on the market. If you go back to my post, the Target app is doing 15% off all Playtex bottles, which would be a perfect time to stock up!

Another great option is to go to Amazon and find what deals they have. They have a pretty good return and exchange policy, so I would check that before purchasing. You can also read real customer reviews which could help make your decision a little easier! Some things to take into account would be the bottle size and style. You can always fill up the bigger bottles with smaller amounts, and add more as the baby grows and needs more milk. Smaller bottles are nice, but you’ll get more use out of the larger quantities. Also, bottles like the drop-ins, ones with vents or an angle to them, and any designed to reduce air bubbles would be a great type to start off with. These reduce stomach issues and gas which would save you in the end of your baby did have these problems.

Sleeping

Obviously, it is dependent on your parenting style and preference, but deciding on how and where your baby will be sleeping now will save you some bucks in the end. If you plan on co-sleeping, maybe invest in a bassinet or pack and play, and hold off on buying the crib right away. If you are choosing to have your baby start off in a crib, you won’t have to worry about having alternatives.

It may be tempting to buy a bassinet, pack n play, and a crib but chances are you’ll only use one or two. Cribs themselves can be pricey, so finding one-second hand could be a great money saver. If you do buy it from a previous mom, check the recalls and make sure it is a safe version. Take into account what is most practical and fitting for your space.

Car Seats

Kind of a hard thing to avoid purchasing, but man can these things be expensive! I know a lot of moms will have different opinions on what car seat is the must-have, so take into account what is a need for you and your family. A lot will say infant car seats are a waste of money because they are used for a smaller amount of time, and others will swear by them because they are lightweight and can easily be carried inside and back to the car. The number one tip is to find what fits your needs as a mom and find the best version you can.

All car seats have to pass the same safety test, but some will have additional padding and safety settings. Find a car seat that will fit easily in your car, be light enough if you do plan on carrying your baby in it, and won’t break the bank too much. It could be tempting to buy a car seat secondhand, and while it’s acceptable, make sure you research that model and ensure there aren’t any recalls on it. Also, if a car seat has been in an accident, or is over 5 years old, the safety expires and it is not recommended. You also don’t need to buy anything for the car seat, it is already equipped with all the padding your baby needs! Please don’t add on anything extra to their car seat, it is a safety hazzard!

Toys

Toys are another tricky thing because you’ll never know what your baby might like and favor. Toys are fairly inexpensive, so don’t get carried away!  From mom to mom, your baby will 9/10 play with household items over a baby toy haha. Also, when babies are young, they don’t need as many toys so use this time to get a feel for what toys they prefer. Take them to the toy aisles and see what catches their eye and keeps them entertained, before adding to cart! Toys that have fabric, plastic, and a mirror are great for babies’ senses.

Investing in a good teether, a few soft animals, and maybe a noisy toy or two will be great starter toys for your baby and give them the most stimulation until you find what they prefer.

I plan on spoiling her, but I feel so good knowing I will be saving in different areas, especially on the must-haves! I will be featuring a post soon of different freebies you can get as a mom, because I know there are a ton of other money-saving mamas out here too!

Have you found a great deal on a baby essential?
I would love to hear it! I have just finished adding things to my baby nursery, but I am all for saving in areas I can! Thank you for reading.