How to Provide for your Baby on a Tight Budget

New parents are often overwhelmed with the responsibilities of parenthood. Babies require much time, effort and financial obligation. Here are some tips for new parents on a budget to help ease some of the pressures and allow you to settle into parenthood.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Read article for recommendations.

1. Providing for your new baby may seem like an impossible task when funds are limited. Strollers, car seats, cribs, play pens, diapers, toys, clothing; the list seems endless. Often, our preconceived notions are based upon modern societies exaggerated and materialistic expectations.
   An initial step in providing for your baby is understanding what their needs are.
2. Primarily, infants needs are very basic; love, nutrition, security, dry diapers and clean clothes. Assuming that the medical needs are already being attended to such as scheduled checkups etc.
3. Initially, diapers and formula will be the most costly expenses. Nursing is preferred as it is the more easily digestible and nutritious than formula and it aids the infants immune system. Additional benefits include bonding between mother and baby, savings in formula purchases and health benefits to the mother who is nursing.
4. Often diaper manufacturing companies have mailing lists for customers. Contact various companies and sign up for their mailers. These may include free samples and coupons.
5. It is unnecessary to splurge on expensive clothing for your new born. Comfortable and inexpensive pajama type outfits are recommended. You will find that infants need to be changed multiple times per day and that most of their outfits will be stained by formula, etc. Also, as your baby is growing quickly, many outfits will only be worn for a very short period of time.
   You can save hundreds of dollars by accepting gently used baby clothing from family and/or friends.
6. A good car seat is mandatory but many other baby accessories are not. High chairs are not needed until your baby is sitting upright. Walkers are optional and potentially dangerous if you have stairs. You may have received many of these items at your baby shower. Others can be handed down in the family or purchased gently used.
7. Playthings need not be expensive or excessive. A few safe and simple toys are affordable and generally preferred by babies under 1 year old.
8. There are also programs available such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that assist families in need.

Tips & Warnings

• - If you've enjoyed this article, please use the email link "send to a friend" at the top of this page to send to 1 or more friends, family or coworkers. Your support is greatly appreciated. - Thank you. Christina
• If you purchase a used crib, discard and replace the mattress.