Start Saving for Baby Now   – Because that bundle 
of joy will cost you

When I was pregnant with my oldest son, Sam, who is now 11, 
I remember reading a pamphlet from Babies R Us that told me he’d go through at least 240 diapers the first month.

No way, I said. That’s just a marketing ploy.  Boy was I wrong. Taking care 
of a baby is an expensive proposition.

Along with diapers, there are wipes, formula or breastfeeding supplies, baby food, clothing, crib sheets, over-the-counter medicines, medical expenses, child care, and the list goes on. As your baby grows, new items get added to 
the list.

According to Babycenter.com, the average family will spend at least $10,000 on their baby during the first year. With such a large amount of money in play, it’s important to find many different ways to save money.

Money-saving tips

• Shop for gently used clothing: 
Seasonal consignment sales, consignment stores, e-bay.com and craigslist.com are excellent sources for gently used and sometimes brand-new clothing and baby gear. My personal favorite consignment store is Summer Kids, 5004 Summer Ave.
• Stock up at seasonal clearance sales: I often find name-brand clothes for 75 percent off at seasonal clearance sales at local children’s clothing and department stores. Buy a size larger so your child can wear it next year.
• Consider breastfeeding: Along with its nutritional benefits, breastfeeding is also less expensive than formula. Formula will cost you $1,500 to $2,000 the first year. But breastfeeding has costs as well. A high-quality breast pump costs at least $250 to $300, plus the cost of breastfeeding pads, storage bags, and skin care ointment. 
But overall it is still the more frugal 
option. Hold off on buying special nursing clothes. I found I did not use the ones I bought. I preferred t-shirts that I could just pull up when it was time to nurse my boys. The shirts were convenient and afforded me needed modesty in case someone came 
in while I was nursing.

• Clip coupons and watch for sales: If you plan to buy name-brand diapers, watch for coupons on diapers and other 
baby products in your Sunday news-paper. Watch the store circulars for sales. When you use your coupons on sale items, you maximize your savings. Go to the website of your preferred diaper and/or baby company and sign up for its e-mailing list. Most companies 
e-mail coupons on a regular basis.
• Try using the store-brand diapers: We used the Target brand and really liked them. The quality was comparable to name-brand diapers.
• Do your homework before buying baby products: I am always amazed at the new products that come out each year — especially those designed to keep baby entertained or calmed. But there’s no need to buy every type of gear. It’s expensive, plus the clutter will overtake your household. Ask family and friends which products worked for them and which ones they could have lived without. Personally our baby swing and Johnny Jump Up® were 
sanity savers, but neither child liked the walker or stationary entertainers. But every child is different so consider your baby’s temperament. Don’t waste your money buying expensive “learning” toys. You may be able to borrow items from people to save money. Just make sure to check product recall alerts.
• Sign up for a free book every month: Books are an invaluable resource for your child, but good books are expensive. Thanks to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Shelby County Books from Birth, every child in Shelby County under 5 can receive one new book each month. More than 1,000 communities nationwide have partnered with Imagination Library to offer this program. Visit imaginationlibrary.com or booksfrombirth.org for more information.
• Skip the elaborate first birthday party: I know a mom who spent upwards of $1,000 on her child’s first birthday party and she was totally stressed out by the whole affair. Life has enough stress; don’t create more unnecessarily. Make a cake for a few dollars. Go to the dollar store for decorations and ask people to contribute to your child’s college fund in lieu of gifts. And yes, you should start a college fund by your child’s first birthday. Visit savingforcollege.com for more information.
The first year of your child’s life is so special and it goes by so fast. Spend your time making memories with your child and take lots of pictures. They will mean much more to you than owning lots of baby stuff.