Budget-Friendly Tips to Stock Your Nest When Baby Is on the Way

Lots of expectant parents go into nesting mode when their baby is on the way. And one great thing about nesting is that it means you’re planning ahead. Going through this planning stage is smart — not only because you’ll be ready for your bundle of joy, but also because it gives you time to create a budget and save money while stocking up on necessities.

Never Pay Full Price!

LaurenConrad.com highly recommends setting up a registry to guide friends and family toward what you want the most. However, for those things you still need to buy, these are some of our top tips for snagging what you need at a discount.

• Shop online to save: You can find deals on just about anything online, including all the maternity and baby things you need. Websites like Amazon are especially smart to use because you can check off your list from the comfort of home. Starting now, you can find deals on maternity clothes, support pillows, and prenatal vitamins. Additionally, you can find all the baby gear such as car seats, strollers, and diapers. Besides the convenience, the other great thing about shopping online is that you can save even more money with Target discount codes or Macy’s coupons.

• Get rewarded for loyalty: Once you’ve invested in the big-ticket items, the other major costs you can expect are those things you have to buy repeatedly, such as diapers, wipes, baby food, and formula. The blog Money Under Thirty recommends using members-only subscriptions like Amazon Mom or Boxed.com to shop these repeat purchases at deep discounts. Many local retailers also offer loyalty rewards, and they often send coupons and early sale notices to repeat customers.

• Secondhand, top quality: Even if this is your first, you likely already know that babies grow fast. As much as this may pull at your heartstrings, it’s good news for parents on a budget. Since baby items only get used for a short amount of time, you can often find secondhand clothes, toys, and gear like high chairs that are still in great condition.
  
  However, Family Education notes it’s also important not to buy certain items secondhand. For example, car seats should always be bought new. Safety standards constantly evolve for them and their materials tend to degrade over time, which could potentially put your little bundle of joy at risk. When you buy new, you can rest assured your baby will be protected in a car seat that meets all current safety standards. Similarly, opt to buy a new crib rather than a used one, and never buy a used crib mattress, because it may have been exposed to bed bugs, fleas, or bodily fluids in its previous home.

Choose Wisely

You can always find ways to save money on necessities, but it’s just as important to be choosy about what you buy. From double-duty gear to borrowing from friends to packing your hospital bag, we suggest these guidelines for deciding on what you really need.

• Convertible gear: Manufacturers have wisened up to the fact that babies change quickly, and as a result, there are more products on the market that adapt with the times. You can find car seats, strollers, baby carriers, and even cribs that convert from infant to toddler use. While this is more of a long-haul savings strategy, it’s worth it to avoid having to buy all new gear a couple of years from now.

• Borrow and beg: If you have friends, family members, or even coworkers whose children have outgrown a certain stage, ask if you can borrow things they no longer use. And while you don’t actually want to beg for anything, it’s perfectly okay to ask for hand-me-downs. Most parents who are done having babies are more than thrilled to pass along all the clothes and toys taking up space in their homes. Again, for safety reasons, car seats, cribs, and liners are items you shouldn’t borrow.

• Don’t forget the hospital bag: You don’t need to go out and buy an excessive amount of loungewear or spend a fortune, but you do want to have certain comforts nearby when you’re in the hospital. This could be a labor and delivery gown, some postpartum undies, comfy socks, a comfortable nursing bra and maybe even a robe. You’ll also need items like your toothbrush and hand lotion. 

The Little Things

As you budget and set money aside for this next chapter, make sure to look for ways to cut costs in other areas of your life. Are you still using all the samples you’re getting in that makeup subscription box? If not, cancel now and put that $15 toward the baby's college fund. What about your cable? If you’re still connected, it’s time to make the cut and switch to streaming, which can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Even if it’s ditching your latte a day habit, know that every little bit adds up, and it will come in handy down the road. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of preparing for a baby's arrival, but every little purchase adds up. When you’re on a budget, make a goal to resist the cuteness, and instead stick with cost-saving tips that help you stretch your money further. 

With life about to change significantly, start thinking ahead on ways you can help your child grow up to be a resilient human being. This will serve him or her well as they grow into an adult. You can start with the Resiliency Toolkit for parents, which can help you guide your child through building resiliency every step of the way.