Consumer Reports published an article last week on how to trim costs for baby without compromising safety.There are a few good ideas here-- skip the "convertible" mattress, skip the shopping cart covers, use store brand diapers.... but what struck me is that there are only 3 ideas in the article!!!
Surely we can come up with more cost-cutters that don't compromise safety!
Here are a few more ideas:
Formula- If you use formula, try a store brand. We used formula with my first and spoke with our doctor about what brand to use. He said that all formula sold in the U.S. has to meet the same safety standards and most store brands are made by name brand manufacturers anyway. So, that is something to consider since store brands are about 1/2 the price of name-brand. Of course, breastfeeding is best, and least expensive, if you are able to do it.
Baby wipes- Make your own or, again, try store brand.
Baby food- Store bought baby food jars, premade meals and snacks are insanely overpriced. Here is a primer on making your own baby food.
My absolute favorite book on this topic is Super Baby Food. My daughter is almost 2, and I still use the recipes and info in this book all the time.
Skip all the supplies you don't need- I have a little bit of a pet-peeve about all the supposedly must-have baby items that you really don't need. Babies need very little, and most of it is free or inexpensive.
That said, don't skimp on safety for the car seat or crib!!
What other thrifty-but-safe ideas do you have??
See more tips at Rocks In My Dryer.
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11 comments:
Good article, I would agree on much of it. Totally agree on the car seat and crib, super important to have a safe one! I also think the must have items are rarely even used so if you have friends or family, borrow borrow borrow. It will save you loads of dollars!
Excellent thoughts. We actually prefer the store brand baby wipes. We also made our own baby food. Thanks for sharing!
I made both my kids' baby food when they were younger. It was super easy (and super fun!). I think we saved a ton of money, although I never added it up. And, Kirkland brand (Costco) wipes are the best!!
Most of our baby items were passed on to us from friends and family and I'm still amazed at how little use some of the things got.
I also opted to make my own baby food. It is pretty easy and my daughter loved it.
The wipes from the dollar store are horrible. Save your money. But the wipes from Target and the Playskool brand ones at CVS are both great. They're the only ones we've tried.
Great advice! I did much of that when my two were little and am so glad that I did!
Buy used clothes or graciously take someone's hand me downs! New clothes are so expensive, and they get stained or grown out of so fast! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
itsahumanzoo- I totally agree! I can't bring myself to buy new clothes, knowing that they are just going to get spit up on!! lol :)
Great tips. It's insane the number of baby products there are on the market! Lend and borrow freely when you have a baby... that'll save you a ton! I just recently started making my own wipes and I love it. So easy and so frugal.
Great tips! We do cloth diapers and cloth wipes (cut from flannel receiving blankets) with just water. Works like a charm! But if you aren't using cloth, the homemade disposable wipes are awesome! =)
***Absolutely, get a good quality carseat. I particularly recommend getting a convertable one that will last through 35lbs or so--they cost more, but it means you will not need to get a second carseat when your little one reaches 20lbs and outgrows the infant one.
***Forget the fancy travel system--the carseat with base that can also snap onto a stroller...they are VERY expensive, and I found it to be a huge hassle. Instead I had the simple carseat and I used a sling or wrap to wear my baby everywhere. He was happier against my body anyway.
***Breastfeed!!!! It's free!!! It's also the perfect nutritional balance for baby...you don't need to worry about when they start on solids--just follow their lead. My little one wanted to test out some foods around 6m, but didnt' start really eating solids until 8m. That was ok because I knew he was getting balanced nutrition via my breastmilk.
***Get a pack n play and use that as a bassinet/crib. It doubles as a portable playpen of course, but it's nice and small and much cheaper than a crib.
Alternatively, put the baby in your bed with you and co-sleep. It IS safe so long as you follow a few basic precautions (don't do it if you've been drinking or are on medication, be sure there is a rail or something so the baby can't fall off)
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