How To Have Your Baby While Budgeting

How To Have A Baby On A Budget

We cannot turn around presently without the media screaming about the global financial crisis and how hard things are for all of us. But unavoidably, a sluggish news day comes along, and the media begin adding up how much it actually costs to have a baby, they always make it seem quite frightening in terms of cost. But how much does it really cost to have a baby?

It’s totally up to you.

Babies need only cost what you can afford to pay, or what you imagination can come up with.. If you want a new nursery in your home think about ways to lower the costs involved - beg and borrow.

As with most things in life, there is a big disparity relating to wants and needs. Babies are truly uncomplicated creatures and require little more than love, somewhere warm to live, food, someone to change them and a lot of love - that is the simple part.

Thus if you’re thinking about a baby, or even a new one, plus your budget could do with a little bit of help, below some guidelines to help.

Borrow, Beg but don't steal

You may well have friends that may have a baby that has outgrown the cot or bassinette it has been using, make use of it for the couple months that your baby will need it. Do any of your relations have a spare cot? Perhaps even the cot you slept in while a baby? Always check that baby gear is secure and complies with the Australian Standards, but using second-hand items makes terrific financial and environmental sense - that is it will reduce your carbon imprint. Save your money for a new cot mattress, a decent stroller and a new baby car seat.

Purchase only what you require and no more.

It can be so alluring to dream away the pregnant months thinking of things you possibly will need then spending time at the shops buying lots of lovely things that your baby will not ever actually use. If this is your first baby, try and limit yourself to just buying plain things like singlets and jumpsuits. You may be astonished with the amount of gifts you will receive for your baby. So often babies grow too fast to be dressed in all the outfits they are given, thus it makes sense to limit yourself and then see what you really do need to buy.

Swap parties & toy libraries

Inquire with your buddies who have had babies what baby stuff, products or items they suggest and what they never used. Exchange parties are a really great idea. If friends have babies that are slightly older or younger than yours, organise to swap clothes with each other. Go ‘shopping’ at a girlfriend’s home for your baby’s new sized wardrobe and return the favour. Swap or lend maternity clothes once you do not need them any longer. When your baby is older, keep toys clean and invigorating by trading with each other once a month, or try a toy library which are growing in popularity and are a brilliant idea.

Breastfeed!

Breastfeeding is the most cost effective way to feed your baby. The health benefits are well-known, but from a monetary point of view, making your baby’s milk yourself is the best as it’s entirely free.

Modern cloth nappies (MCNs) and wipes

Reusable nappies save cash and the environment. Modern cloth nappies are a world away from old fashioned terry-towling squares that a lot of parents were subjected to when they were babies, made from renewable fabrics like bamboo. Now in cool colours and designs, they are more like disposables in fit and function.

Using cloth nappies and baby wipes for later babies make it even cheaper. And hey, what’s one more load of washing every two or three days compared to getting a box of disposable nappies every week? But if cloth is not your thing, try using a cheaper disposable nappy in the day-time when you are changing baby regularly, and saving the more absorbent/expensive nappies for night-time use.

Cook or prepare your own baby food

It might sound like demanding work, but it does not need to be any more hassle than usual cooking. Cook up some extra veggies with the family supper, then puree or mash the vegetables as baby requires. Spoon them into an ice-cube tray, pop on the lid, and you have a week’s worth of baby food in your freezer!

If you have any leftovers left after you have served dinner for the family, spoon into a little container and freeze. Your baby can eat a variety of family meals without any extra effort or cost on your behalf.

Get Dad to make some toys

Make your own toys. Small babies love to grab an red bag filled with noisy paper. Crush up some newspaper and let them play with it. Pack a little Tupperware container with rice and tape shut to make a shaker. Fill a soft drink bottle with water and bits of coloured sponge and food colouring and watch them roll it around the floor for hours.


Make use of park - swing the days away.

Go to your local park, play on the swings, dabble at the beach, read some books, have a picnic in your backyard. They are all free!