Baby checklist for budget conscious?

Question

Ok Im a single mum to be. 13 weeks pregnant. Im 20, and I wont be completely lost for money, I will be able to support myself, but obviously I'll be setting up on a budget.

I was wanting to know where I can find/download or whatever a good baby checklist (not including extravagent unnecessary extras) Just what the baby really will need (It wont be hard finding some extras to buy - i dont need a list for that!)

Im a bit lost at the moment and would prefer a checklist if anyone can advise?

:) Thanks

Answer 1

Buy things as you need them. For example they wont need a highchair until 6 months. Wait and see because all a baby really needs is clean diapers, warm clothes and a boob for 12 weeks. After that toys may entertain them. I find my son (6 months) Like to be propped up with a boppy and a stuffed animal. Everything else is frill. The best way to save money is breastfeed. I know this is your decision but a friend of mine that has the same age baby decided not to breast feed and she spend $300/month on formula. Buy a $50 pump from Walmart and you will save thousands. Godd luck and congratulation!

Answer 2

I'm currently following a checklist I've made up with my sister in laws and mother....I'm even buying some of the things now especially diapers you can never have too many of them since babies especially newborns can go thru at 10 or more a day depending. Formula I'm buying last minute when the baby is born because I'm planning on breast feeding but if it doesn't work I'll get formula.

1.Diapers you can never go wrong or have too much of them.
2.Bottles and pacificers it's safe to say the samething as with diapers.
3.Blankets, sleepers and oneies as well as booties and caps. Also a baby kit that includes brush, nail clippers, the bulb etcetc.
4.Crib, bouncer, travel system, swing and playpen(which usually comes with a little changing table for the top)
Highchairs and walkers you won't really need til the baby is about 4 or more months depending how quick the baby grows.
5.Clothing and toys can be bought a little bit before your baby is due. Have a baby shower and you'd be amazed how much clothes, toys and other silly things you can or will get.

Answer 3

CARSEAT!!!

Baby Clothes, Basic Layette, Feeding and Bedding Needs
What does a baby really need in the first weeks at home? The answer is - not much. This baby needs checklist will help you choose the basic baby items, often called a layette, that a baby needs to have in the first precious weeks of life.

Baby Needs: Clothing and Layette

* 5-10 onesies or rompers, depending on how often you want to do laundry
* 5-7 baby sleepers or nightgowns
* 1 cold weather sleeper if necessary
* 5-7 pairs of baby socks
* 1-2 newborn hats, depending on climate

Baby Needs: Diapers and Bath Items

* 2 packs of disposable diapers or enough cloth diapers for at least two days. Newborns can soil up to 10 diapers per day.
* 1 pack of disposable wipes or 10 cloth wipes
* Waterproof pad for diaper changes
* 3-5 baby washcloths
* 1-2 hooded towels, if desired.

* Adult towels will work, too.
* 1 bottle of gentle baby wash
* Baby nail clippers
* Digital thermometer

Baby Needs: Bedding and Feeding

* 3-4 fitted sheets for crib, cradle, co-sleeper or bassinet
* 5-7 lightweight blankets
* 1-2 heavier blankets, depending on climate
* 10 burp cloths
* 5-8 bottles, if you're bottle feeding
* Breastfeeding pillow, if desired

That's it! While there are many baby products on the market that make a parent's life easier, most are wants, not needs. While it may be tempting to buy every gadget on the shelf, remember, your baby will be just as happy with the basic items that he or she really needs.

Have a shower after the new baby arrives then you can get the things that will be needed later and introduce them to the world!

Answer 4

Sorry, I don't know of a checklist online, but I do have a couple suggestions of my own:

Don't buy:
Changing table (use the floor, it's safer anyway)
Play pen (I had one and never used it)
Diaper Genie (Use plastic bags and throw them in the outdoor trash)
Fancy stroller (Get a cheap umbrella stroller, so much more convienent. A snuggli or sling type carrier is even better, but might end up being a waste, so...)
Onsies (This is my personal thing, maybe just buy a few to see if you like them. I hated trying to get a onsie over my newborn. So I had a bunch that never got used.)
Baby wash cloths and towels (nice to have, but you can use regular ones if you have to)
Baby powder (using it isn't recommended because it's not good for baby's lungs)
Bottle warmer
Bottle sterilizer

Other advice: Go for used stuff. Hit Goodwills, tag sales, consignment and second hand shops, ebay. Baby stuff is outgrown so quickly, it's often practically brand new when it's used--plus the clothes are softer from washing. All makes a baby detergent that's a lot less expensive than Dreft, and smells better. Many babies can actually tolerate regular detergent. We never used our crib either, since we coslept, but that's up to you. Buy things as you find you need them. Better that way, than to have wasted money on things you never end up using. Newborns really don't need much!

Here's my personal list of absolutely needed things:
Car seat
Diapers (cloth is less in the long run, if you're willing) And don't buy a ton in newborn size, or you might not use them all.
Baby wipes (I use the generic brand. Buy as many as you want--you will use them!)
Baby shampoo and wash (Even sample sizes to start with would be fine)
A thermometer
A few blankets
A few outfits (I used mostly sleepers for my newborn, for comfort) At least 10 or 15, especially if you have a spitter
Feeding supplies
tiny nail clipper
hair brush

Congratulations!

Answer 5

babycenter.com is a great site, I would recomend, you can join their expecting boards and get great answers, also that site is just chock full of great info.
I would just suggest that you start buying things now that you know you will need, and don't spend money on a bassinet, use that money to buy a crib, anymore they are about the same $ range. Also, Walmart has great prices if you visit enough, if they are low on a model, then they will practically give it away, I bought a beautiful crib for a friend, complete with attatched changing table/drawer set for only $100 and it morphed into a toddler bed and full size bed headboard and footboard and 4 drawer chest. Its a bit late now for garage sales, but thrift stores are so the way to go, you can get some great sleepers there for next to nothing! My last son was head to toe Tommy for less than $20 and that was like 4 outfits, also, socks, buy them at the thrift store also, just don't get things like cribs and car seats there, you never know. Blankets are another thing that you can find at thrift stores. I have bought some stuff online and been so disgusted, I am so much happier with the price and quality of things at the thrift stores. And nobody has to know. When you go out to visit, then put on that cute outfit from the baby gap ;)

Good Luck with all!!!

Answer 6

I would love to have a list to I will be watching this question. I have saw some on the web, but its seems like there is stuff missing or a lot of unnecessary things. I live in India and I am just looking at what the basics will be, but I am only 6 weeks pregnant and its a little early to be looking into this for me. I am also financially able to get anything I would want/need, but I don't want a lot of things, I like life simple. I hope someone will make a good list for you! Congratulations with your pregnancy :)

Answer 7

I agree with the first woman who answered. For at least the first two months all you really need is the essentials. Appropriate clothing, plenty of clean diapers, wipes (store bought or you can make your own, their are plenty of ideas on ways to do that online and it is pretty cheap), recieving blankets, heavier blanket to cover the car seat or stroller when you are going out, baby shampoo (all other bath things can wait for at least a few weeks), car seat, safe place for baby to sleep, and either bottles and formula or breast.

But like the first woman said a lot of the stuff you can kinda do as the baby grows.

Answer 8

For starters check out your local markets, newspapers and garage/yard sales for bargains. Be conscious of safety though when buying second hand but it can really save you big money! Secondly, as you see things being marked down for sale (end of season stock etc...) at department and baby stores buy up while you can. Research what you want, where you can get it and negotiate the price. Also I found that buying something small every week or two when they are on special at the supermarket, like nappies, wipes, shampoo, bibs, dummies, talc powder etc...saves heaps of money and you have everything you need once baby comes.
Lastly this is a list of things I think are essential (obviously take out what you don't need if you are breast/bottle feeding etc..)

Crib/cot and mattress- don't bother with a bassinette, they are too expensive and used for too short a time
2 sets crib sheets
2 crib blankets
2-4 wraps and lighter blankets you can take out with you
1-2 mattress protector's

Car Seat - Best one you can afford, reversable newborn to toddler style saves money

Pram/Stroller - newborn to toddler style

Nappies/Diapers - 2doz square white cloth nappies, some 'snappies' and plastic pilchers & 2 nappy buckets will save you money in the long run with an innital outlay of less than $100. I used them and its not a hassle at all. I'm having my third and they are still going!
Disposable nappies for convenience - only 1 box newborn the rest bigger size.

Baby bath or newborn baby seat for big bath
2 towels & 4 face washers / flannels
Change table or change mat set up somewhere to change baby safely. The floor works well with a waterproof mat underneath them!

Some drawers or shelves for storing clothes and linen.
Obviously some clothes, rompers, a couple of sets but not too much in small sizes as they outgrow them in 6-8weeks
Singlets and socks and mittens/beanie depending on weather.

6 Bottles, steriliser, brush's and formula - or -
heaps of breast pads for you if breastfeeding and 3-4 nursing bras. (get fitted at a reputable store a couple of weeks before birth)

Pacifier/dummies
Something like a bouncer or swing may not seem like a necessity but trust me, you will need somewhere to put baby down for a while, whilst you get things done so they are a godsend and worth their money!

I can't think of much else but a diaper bag or just a back pack, a thermometer and some baby nail clippers are all other useful items you may not think to purchase or ask someone to purchase for you at a baby shower.

Good luck and congrats on the baby! Its a hard journey but really doesn't have to be expensive if you keep your eyes open for bargains, check out ebay and make sure you don't spend what you don't need. Save the money for later on as they cost more then!

Best of luck

Answer 9

This is a list of stuff that i have Maybe it will help you somewhat! If not
Walmart,Target,and Babys R us .com all have lists that might be helpful!
Congrats on your little one!


Stuff that are must-haves

crib
car seat and stroller
socks
bibs
washclothes
oneseis
recieving blankets
blankets and hats (Depending on when baby is born)
Baby lotion and soap
diaper rash cream / petrolium jelly
cotton balls and alcohol (for the unbilical cord)
wipes
diapers
breast pads (if you plan to breastfeed)
FIRST AID KIT w/ nose suction,thermometer, nail clippers/filer ect. ect.
baby clothes ranging from N - 6-9 months

Stuff i have just because i wanted them :)

bouncer seat
swing
Baby Bath tub
changing table
rocking chair
a couple of toys
Lots of books
a couple pairs of shoes (she doesnt really need them but they were gifts)
umbrella stroller
breast pump
baby diaper bag (a big one and small one)
baby book/ scrapbook
a play mat
baby sling

Answer 10

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