Six Ways to Save on Baby Expenses

Expecting mothers have many challenges, especially when going it alone. Statistics say that raising a child can cost you about $175,000, not including school and college tuition, so the actual cost is much more. That works out to about $800 per month. Knowing how to save money on baby expenses from day one can help you reduce that figure.  

Nursing 

Some women just aren’t used to the concept of breastfeeding. One common response to the idea is, “ick!” But food is the second highest cost in raising a child, right after housing. At $15 a can, plus the cost of buying several kinds until you find one that agrees with your infant, you are better off without it. 

Nursing is good for the baby, for you and your wallet. Breast milk gives infants the proper balance of nutrition and strengthens their immune systems. Plus, the physical bonding is good for you both. Nursing is also good for you because it burns calories, helping you lose weight more quickly after the baby is born. Some mothers actually find themselves thinner after nursing a baby than before they became pregnant! Nursing also reduces your chance of developing breast cancer later in life.  

Make Your Own Baby Food 

When your baby is ready for solids, there is no point in wasting money on jars of baby food. All you need is leftovers from your own meals and an ice cube tray. Puree your leftover chicken and gravy, beans, squash, peas, carrots and the like. For fruit, mash bananas, boil and mash an apple or pear. Pour the pureed foods into the ice cube tray and freeze. You can just pull out the tray and add to it one or two cubes at a time after each meal. Then, when baby is hungry, you have the perfect serving size portions with one or two cubes of different foods. This lets you feed your baby for next to nothing. 

Diapering 

You can save on diapers by going generic and buying in bulk. Discount store brands are often better than you might expect. Wal-Mart and Target both have brands that will work for most babies. When you buy premium diapers, you are paying companies’ expense to brand, advertise and research new advancements for their products. Buying the discount store brand can save you $5 or more per box of diapers. 

What about coupons you may ask? Saving a dollar or two on a premium brand that costs $5 more than the generic does not make sense. Unless you find your baby is wetting through the generic, go with the store brand. Generic diapers have come a long way in recent years and premium brand diapers should not be necessary anyway. 

Save on Baby Wipes 

Baby wipes are $3 to $4 per container. But you can make your own for about $1 with products you already have around the house. Be sure to use a premium-brand paper towel for this recipe since they hold together well and are gentler on baby’s bum.  

Small roll of paper towels (premium brand)

Leftover jumbo-sized container from disinfectant household wipes

1/3 cup baby shampoo

1/3 cup olive or baby oil

2 cups water

Using a serrated kitchen knife, slice the paper towel roll in half so you have two shorter rolls of paper towel. Set aside the other half for your next batch of wipes. Remove the cardboard center from the paper towel roll and discard. Mix the liquid ingredients in your leftover wipes container and insert the paper towel roll. You will pull these from the center of the roll. 

Get Stuff Free 

Whenever you can, use hand me downs, thrift or free-cycled items. Many baby items are only needed for a few months, so it makes little sense to buy them. This includes cribs, sheets, clothing, toys and almost any other baby item. The only equipment you should pay out of pocket for is the car seat. You never know the history of a used car seat. Infant car seat manufacturers recommend that a seat be replaced after any accident because unseen cracks or damage can cause the seat to fail. It’s just not worth the risk to your baby.  

While many of these tips will save you hundreds of dollars, going second-hand can save you thousands. Remember, babies do not need or notice premium brand or store-bought stuff. What your baby really needs your very best love. When you save money on the cost of raising a baby, you suffer less from money anxieties. You’ll be a more relaxed mother, making for a happier baby!