by Charlotte L. Bowman
“Congratulations! It’s going to change your life,” my sister said when I announced I was pregnant with my first child. What an understatement!
Splurge on a comfortable rocker.
You’ll spend many hours in it.
My husband and I knew we’d have to budget for all those diapers, but no one bothered to mention how dramatically sweet baby James would affect our finances. Nor did anyone mention how those hormones would send me into shopping orbit.
Like every red-blooded female, I love to shop. But this was different. I was pregnant and on a mission to create the perfect nursery. I wanted the perfect bedding, the perfect stroller and the perfect baby gear. I even drooled over an adorable $325 Kate Spade diaper bag and a fabulous $3,500 Silver Cross pram.
Fortunately for our savings account, my sister gave me some advice. “Run — don’t walk — to the nearest bookstore and buy a copy of Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields,” she said.
Baby Bargains is a MUST READ for every parent-to-be. It’s the Consumer Reports for baby items and provides helpful hints such as the best web sites with the best discounts, as well as name brand reviews of bedding, monitors, high chairs, strollers, and more.
Thanks to the shopping tips in Baby Bargains, I purchased a designer diaper bag for a fraction of the retail cost. I also steered clear of the tempting, elegant prams and bought a lightweight Combi stroller. It has been great for the car and errands. Ultimately we saved hundreds of dollars, for which my husband is eternally grateful.
What to buy
Did you know that the average cost of having a baby in 2005 (based on industry estimates for a child from birth to age one) was $6,300? That’s if you buy name brand products at regular retail prices.
Sure, every one knows there are some items a new baby must have — like a car seat, a crib, piles of clothing, mountains of diapers, and hundreds of jars of baby food. But what items should you buy new? What can you buy used? What should you splurge on, and what should you skip?
Before you go shopping, here are some tips from other parents that will keep you from breaking your piggy bank.
Crib slats should be close together
to avoid entrapment.
Nursery furniture. “You can save a lot of money by buying second-hand nursery furniture,” said Summer Baker, mother of two preschoolers. “They grow out of this baby furniture so quickly. Look for yard sales and friends selling these items.”
A word to the wise — be cautious if you buy a second-hand crib. Check the age— current safety standards didn’t go into effect until 1999. Make sure there are no missing parts. Also, check the slats. They should be close together to prevent entrapment. For the latest information about crib recalls, go to www.recalls.gov.
Bedding. If you’re pinching pennies, stick with solid colored sheets and themed accessories. Buy a sleep sack (a wearable blanket) instead of a heavy quilt. Check out the consignment stores, hit the yard sales and sales at baby boutiques. Odds are, you’ll find really cute bedding and save tons of money in the process.
Another option to consider is custom bedding, especially if you plan to have more than one child. “I bought some bright, colorful fabric while I was pregnant with my first child and had it made into a bed skirt and bumper pad,” said Jenny Adams, mother of three. “We’ve used that same bedding for all three of our children. All I had to do was accent with boy or girl accessories.”
Rockers. Most likely you will spend many sleepless nights rocking your wee one to the moon and back, so splurge here. Invest in a sturdy glider-rocker with thick padding and a high back. If you accidentally fall asleep, you won’t wake up later with a sore neck.
“I didn’t realize how much time I would spend in my rocker,” Baker said. “I wish now we had gotten something nicer and more comfortable for me.”
Baby clothing. There are two rules to remember about baby clothing. Rule one: Babies don’t care what they wear so long as they are warm and dry. Rule two: Babies grow really fast. Splurge on a few expensive smocked outfits, and bargain shop for the layette pieces. You can find great bargains at local consignment stores. Borrowing from your girlfriends is another cost-saving option.
Diapers. It takes a truckload of diapers just to survive the first six weeks with a new baby. Baby Bargains recommends you start off with 100 newborn-size diapers and 500 “size one” diapers.
“I’ve been changing diapers continually since 2000 and have tried them all,” Adams advised. “Generic diapers work just as well as the name brand ones. Buy in bulk to keep the cost down. Also, check the Sunday newspaper every week for diaper coupons and consider joining something like Publix’s Baby Club. It’s free, and you get great coupons.”
Formula. One advantage of breastfeeding is that it’s free. If, however, you plan to use formula there are ways to cut the cost, according to Lee Woolbright, mother of three. “Unless your pediatrician says otherwise, buy the generic brands from discount stores. You can save up to 50 percent. Buying in bulk is another way to save money.”
Highchairs and swings. You don’t actually need a highchair until your baby starts eating solids. Look for one that is collapsible with a separate snack tray. It makes clean up super easy. Washable seat covers are another plus. “Don’t waste your money on an expensive highchair,” Adams said. “It’s much easier later to part with a cheaper highchair than a pricey one. You can toss it with a clear conscience.”
Woolbright agreed. “Highchairs and swings don’t last very long, so get these and other pricey items from friends or consignment sales. We got ours from a huge consignment sale here in Columbus.”
Car seats. Your baby’s safety is far more important than trying to save a buck or two. When it comes to car seats, DON’T cut cor- ners and buy used. Spend a little more on a new car seat that has an excellent safety rating. This will ensure your baby is safe in the event of a car accident. Also, your baby will spend a lot of time in her car seat, so pick one that is comfortable.
“It was painful at first, but we did as Baby Bargains advised and sunk our money into a top-of-the-line, convertible car seat,” Adams recalled. “We’ve used it continually for six years now. It’s been through three kids and has held up beautifully.”
Strollers. Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” stroller on the market. Most parents end up purchasing two or more strollers to cover all their stroller needs. Steer clear of heavy, bulky “travel systems.” Instead, create your own by buying an infant car seat and pairing it with an inexpensive stroller frame. If you don’t like stroller frames, buy a lightweight, quality stroller with a simple, compact fold and a universal car seat attachment. If you need help deciding, go to StrollerQueen.com for a personal consultation.
Taking your baby along in a jogging
stroller is a great way to get some fresh
air and get into shape.
If you plan to jog with your baby, start saving your pennies. The better quality jogging strollers aren’t cheap. For information about the best jogging strollers out there— including user reviews and editorial opinions, go to joggingstroller.com.
Pacifiers, gas drops, and teething medication. These aren’t big-ticket items, but they are worth your baby’s weight in gold, especially at 3 a.m. Recent studies have shown that the use of a pacifier can dramatically reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Talk to your pediatrician if you’re unsure about using one.
Toys and rattles. “Don’t spend a lot of money on toys and rattles,” Adams advised. “Let friends and family give them to you. Our kids always enjoyed playing with the box or wrapping paper as much or more than the actual toy.”
The baby bottom line
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average middle class family will spend $190,980 to raise a child from birth to age 17. Obviously the more money you make, the more money you will spend and vice versa.
While you are pregnant, take the time to update your will, assign guardians and look into life insurance. Check your health insurance policy to see what it offers in terms of pre-natal care, immunization coverage and well-baby check-ups.
There are other things to consider like medical bills, housing, daycare, babysitting, transportation — not to mention saving for college.
No doubt about it, children are expensive, but most families find a way to make their finances work. The web site babycenter.com provides a free “cost of raising a child” calculator to help you determine how much you’re likely to spend raising a child.
