Must Know Frugal Tips for Having a Newborn?
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Must know frugal tips for having a newborn?
Some of mine are Scouring charity shops for things like a pram, using marketplace or vinted to get good quality second hand clothes and other bits.
Make use of supermarket clothing sales and buy multiple sizes. I usually come across a lot of good quality baby clothes made with natural materials
Consumer I used to buy all of my daughters clothes from supermarkets, Asda ones are great quality and wash well.
Buy as much as you can 2nd hand. The majority of our sons stuff came from fb marketplace. You don't need things like a moses basket or baby bath. Don't buy newborn or first size clothes as they grow out of them quickly and you have to buy clothes twice, so just get size 0-3 months. You don't need a steriliser or a prep machine, use a big bowl and tablets and just boil the kettle for bottles. Keep an eye on fb marketplace for free items. You don't need as much stuff as you think you do.
MrsCraig I like your last line - I definitely over bought with mine out of excitement!
SamGoodship I wanted to do it as cheaply as possible. I was lucky that a lot of my parents friends bought us stuff, my mother in laws friends bought us stuff, one of my mother in laws friends gave her loads of stuff when her son grew out of them, mother in law bought loads of stuff. Husbands Granny and Auntie Knitted him loads of cardigans, hats etc. I didn't need to buy him clothes for the first year as we got given so much
On the lead up, keep an eye out for free items. Lots of sites to keep an eye on. (I'd just be careful with used cot mattresses, car seats and pushchairs due to safety.)
Freecycle, Freegle, FreelyWheely, TrashNothing, Preloved, Freeads, Gumtree, Shpock, Olio app, Facebook Groups, Facebook Marketplace.
- Aldi, Boots and Emma's Diary are just a few places that offer vouchers and schemes for new parents, they can claim nappies or goodie bags of free items.
- Also keep an eye on free samples available.
- Reusable nappies are a good option.
- Use a soft cloth, not wipes.
- Baby clothes may be dependent on the weather, some parents buy lots of cute clothing to find that they don't need it, either baby weighs more at birth, you won't need a snow suit in August etc.
- Work out what is essential and what is unnecessary - you don't need a nappy bin, sterilisers or dummies etc.
One thing it might be worth spending a little extra on taking a baby first aid course though, if it might ease some stress.
I remember argos used to do a free baby kit a few years back that they might still offer. Just like any shopping in general, buy in bulk to save money if it’s something you’re going to use a lot of (e.g nappies)
Check what other parents suggest . I remember buying everything stated on the list that would be “needed “ . However half of it was not used . Some items can double up and be used in place of others saving money no end .
Nickyhaslam77 I bought one of those nappy bin things which was a pain to empty and kept costing money buying the refills, it was easier to just stick them in a nappy bag straight outside.
2nd hand stuff is the way to go. Better for the environment. Cloth nappies cheaper in the long run.
I think most people have already stated the tips about 2nd hand as baby's grow so quickly so they are like night, sign up to every baby site as they send you £ off vouchers.
If you can, preserve with breast feeding, it's better for the baby and it's free
My mum would make the onesies sleep suits last longer by cutting the feet out and stitching them up . You couldn’t tell she had taken a pair of scissors to the onesies once she’d finished with her needle and thread. Lol
Buy a lot of stuff second hand from charity shops, also a friend of mine said to save money she used reusable nappies. She also said check vinted, depop and fb marketplace for second hand stuff.
Don't waste money on brands, most supermarkets and pharmacy's sell there own versions of calpol, nappies etc. Which are just as good but alot cheaper.
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