Affiliate Disclosure Statement: Please note that some of the links I share with you are affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. Click Here for full statement.
How to save money with a baby can be a hard question when you find out you are pregnant. Money saving options are so important when you don’t have a lot. Yes the up front cost may be more. Sometimes you have to look at how much it will save you in the long run. Do you have a money saving suggestion? Go ahead and comment below to share.
Such as the crib we got for everything cost us over $500 (including conversion pieces). However when you look at the fact that the bed is a crib & changing table/toddler bed/full size bed and the changing table can then be used as storage, we really are getting a great deal. Or our car seat that was about $250. Looking at the fact that it will last us 10 years it was well worth the price for us. Here are a few of the items that we paid a bit for, but will be with us for the long run.
Crib Option
When I was pregnant my mom said she would buy a crib for us. BUT it had to be a convertible crib that would grow with munchkin. Part of this was so that we would not have to worry about beds for a bit. We looked around at what kind of option were out there and ended up with a Sorelle Presley Crib and Changer in Espresso (which is no longer sold, however this one is very similar Sorelle Berkley 4 in 1 Crib and Changer, Espresso).
I personally wanted a changing table attached to the crib. It would take up less room, and we are limited on space. I also wanted it to be able to be used once she is potty trained. So the changing table can be used as storage and later as a night stand for your older child.. This allows us to not have to buy a bed every few years. We can get fun bedding as she gets older to make it fun, or even paint it if needed. We wanted one that looked like it would stand up to the abuse that a bed will take when a toddler is involved.
Convertible Crib TIP
TIP: if you buy a convertible bed get all the conversion kits at the same time. You don’t want to end up with a bed that down the road you can not get the kits for. That will not save you money.
Car Seat Option
So we have had 2 car seats and unless we get into an accident that will be it. We got a usual infant car seat for when Ashlyn was born. This was a Graco and was nice because it could attach to her stroller (which I will talk about later). This way we would not have to wake her up if she was sleeping. We used a Graco SnugRide SnugLock 30 Infant Car Seat, Sapphire. We really liked this one for her as an infant It was very easy to install and use. It was easy to adjust as well as she got bigger.
Convertible Car Seat
When it was time to upgrade we looked for one we would not have to replace anytime soon. Now the Graco 4Ever can be used for newborns/preemies as heavy as 4 lbs. So if you are not looking to carry your child in their infant seat, you can get this as your one and only car seat. We got the Graco 4Ever All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, Cameron and we love it. Here is a site that reviews car seats and their review of this product: Review .
This car seat is good for 10 years. Most likely with munchkin being on the small size we will have to get another booster because this seat will expire before she legally can be without one. We were lucky to find ours at ToysRUs (RIP) on sale so it was not as expensive as normal price. However if you take the cost ($300) and divide by 10 years it comes out to about $2.50 a month which really is not that bad. This seat is easy to adjust and install. When I went to have it checked by a CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician), I had done it right the first time.
We had to use the infant insert for awhile due to munchkin being small. It has been really easy to adjust as she has gotten bigger. It takes almost no time at all when we have to adjust. Ours came with shoulder protectors which was something I wanted with her being small. With her getting bigger this last winter I did invest in a Child Car Seat Protector so that I would not have to be cleaning my seats during the winter and rainy season as she got bigger.
Car Seat TIP
TIP: EVERYONE whenever installing a seat for the first time in a vehicle should have it checked by a CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician). Having them check to see if your car seat is installed properly is free and helps you feel secure.
Stroller Option
When we were looking around for a stroller we found this one. I like this one because while we were still using an infant carrier we could use this with it. With the Graco Modes Stroller you can remove the seat portion and click the infant seat there. You can place the car seat forward or facing you. Once they grow out of the infant seat then you place the seat area back on the stroller. This stroller will work for your child through their toddler years. We really like the extra room on the bottom for storage. There is plenty of room for munchkin to move around in the seat. The seat does lay down which is great if they are tired or injured.
This has been an awesome investment since she won’t grow out of it for years. Now we don’t use it very often any more, but for outings like going to the state fair we love it. It gives us someplace to put our stuff, to put her if she gets tired or needs a break. She will climb into it when she wants to and even asks to be buckled in.
Miscellaneous Options
Here are a few other things to consider. Some of these I have participated in and others I have not. I do love a company with rewards though since I have to spend the money anyway 🙂
Breast Pumps
Insurance will cover breast pumps like once every 3 years or something like that. So call your insurance company to find out how to get yours. Many times they have specific sites you have to order through, but then that site does all the work. Make sure to do this 2-3 months BEFORE your due date. You want to make sure there is plenty of time for it to ship. Also want to make sure you have plenty of time if there is an insurance mess up. If it has been too soon since you last got one you can also look at places that rent them. You can also find used ones on places like Facebook Market Place where people are selling theirs.
Formula
If you are giving your baby formula for whatever reason, check into coupons. Both Enfamil and Similac have programs that provide coupons to help with the cost. Also if you meet the income requirements you could be eligible for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) which can help with formula.
Diapers
Diapers are another expense that can add up quickly. Both Pampers and Huggies have rewards programs which is great. You earn points when you purchase products and then can redeem those points for coupons or physical products. I have earned multiple free products from Shutterfly from my Pampers rewards. I looked and did not see a rewards program for Luvs but they do have an offers page and a newsletter so they might provide discounts that way.
If you want you can also look at cloth diapers. There is an up front cost but in the long run it will save you money if you go that route. Many places even have cloth diaper services so you don’t have to worry about cleaning them yourselves. They have many types of cloth diapers and cute covers for them.
I enjoy finding ways to save money. Yes most of these are a bit of an investment in the beginning but knowing that we won’t have to pay more later has been nice. Do you have a money saving suggestion? Go ahead and comment below to share.
20
20
1