How to raise an inexpensive baby-the first year

While of course you can pick and choose, using all of these tips will result in a remarkable cheap baby! Most of these tips use attachment parenting methods, so you will be very close, too!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A baby!

1. The Bed: Minimum price $0
   
   The cheapest choice is cosleeping in a family bed, if that works for you. After that you have to choose if you want immediate cheapness, or long-term affordability. For long term, get a bed that converts into a toddler and fullsize bed, you can pay less then $200 for all the bed your baby will need. You can go to a consignment shop, but make sure the bed is in good shape and has not been through more then one or two other babies
2. Holding the baby: Minimum price $10 or less, can vary
   
   Bouncy seats, swings, bumbo seats. We have entered into a culture where one may wonder if they are ever supposed to hold their baby! The cheapest option is to simply hold the baby (perhaps with help of a sling, which may be made even using simply a large piece of fabric or blanket) or set her on a blanket when you need your hands. Once she becomes mobile, or if she is fussy, having a swing can be very handy. I recommend getting a cheap swing, they come new for about $40 and used for half of that.
3. Getting around: Minimum price $40
   
   You need a car seat, there is no avoiding that. You don't want a used one in this case, but you do not need the most expensive one either. I have found ones that work perfectly well for $40. I recommend not getting an infant carrier seat unless you plan on going out a lot to places you need him strapped in a seat. A convertible seat will last longer and be a better value
   
   Stroller: A stroller is helpful, but not a necessity. They also vary in price greatly, from a $5 umbrella stroller (not good for infants) to fancy contraptions that cost nearly as much as my used car. I recommend, if at all possible carrying your baby in a sling until they are big enough for an umbrella stroller. If you need a bigger stroller, my favorites were actually all in the $20-40 range, so don't assume more expensive means better.
4. Feeding: Minimum price practically $0
   
   Breast feeding is the cheapest and healthiest options. You do not need to pay anything, so some things help such as breast feeding bras, pads, a pump... but none of that is entirely needed.
   Solid food is a little trickier, though not by much, and unless you never through out any food likely will not make a difference. Home made baby food is easy (toss it in a blender) cheaper and once again healthier. It also raises your child to your tastes. Try eating some baby food... chicken and broccoli or something. You wont want to give it to your kid again.
5. Diapers: Minimum $50 (potentially $0)
   
   Cloth diapers are cheapest, best for babies skin, and most environmentally friendly. There are several websites online that sell kits, $50 is the cheapest I have been able to get with, though spending up to $150 increases convenience (some folds, some all-in-ones) and is still much cheaper then buying disposables every week. They can be washed with normal clothes on a normal cycle, as long as you don't use fabric softener.
   
   There is a cheaper alternative for the brave soul: Diaper-free baby or elimination communication. It is something that really does work, you learn your babies signals and take them to a toilet before they go potty. No diapers. You need to be available, attentive and committed to make this work though.
6. Clothes: $50
   
   Consignment shop. What more is there to say? You buy cheap clothes there once, then keep trading up. Sure you may have to buy a few new pieces from something other then credits, but it helps SO much. The only place you will really have a problem is if your child is like mine: Growing two shoe-sizes a month and needing special shoes so they stay on. Even so it is not too bad. Just keep the clothes in good shape, most clothes brought in is used once or twice, some not at all, so you can get really expensive outfits for next to nothing.
   
   And there is always the option of letting them go naked when its warm enough!

Tips & Warnings

• This does not cover everything, but it does hit on all the major expenses Your total may not be the same as mine ($150!) but using even just one of these tips can be a great help.
• Always clean anything you are taking for trade in at a consignment shop, you will get more for it
• ALWAYS inspect anything you buy used, especially if it is meant to hold your child.