Extremely tight budget--what baby items MUST I buy new?

Question

DH and I were NOT intending to get pregnant right now, since money is extremely tight, but that's life, eh? Anyway, I have a lavish (ha!) budget of $400.00 over the next six months to buy baby supplies.

My inlaws offered to buy a new carseat with all the current safety features. I can get a lightly used crib that complies with current safety recommmendations from a friend for free. I can sew well and am more than willing to make sleepers, receiving blankets and the like, if I can't get hand-me-downs.

Would love to know what other low-budget mothers have done for baby supplies. What are the ABSOLUTE essentials? Is there anything, other than a carseat, that MUST be purchased new?

I have no problems at all with second hand stuff, as long as it's safe and serviceable, and I don't care in the least about logos, brand-names, or matchy-matchy baby stuff.

Answer 1

Congratulations on your pregnancy, even if it was a surprise! New babies need very little beyond your love and care, so $400 is plenty. We're told that our babies need a lot of stuff, but most of it isn't necessary at all.

Plan on breastfeeding - that will save you at least $1500 over your baby's first year of life (more if your baby needs hypoallergenic formula, and if you factor in increased laundry and health care costs when formula feeding). Most women are able to breastfeed with no challenges. It's a great idea to call your local La Leche League while you're pregnant, so you can learn about the normal course of breastfeeding and have resources for help if needed (and it's free!).

When your baby gets a bit older, consider making your own baby foods. Much cheaper and healthier for baby. You can probably find a book at your local library with ideas for home-made baby foods.

Consider cloth diapering. You can buy used prefold diapers and good-quality wraps which will last you throughout your baby's diaper-wearing days. You can make your own baby wipes with baby wash cloths (or sew your own). There are lots of ideas at cloth diapering sites for saving money on diapering. You don't necessarily need a changing table; you can put a pad down on baby's crib and use that, or get a changing pad that fits on the top of a dresser. And instead of a diaper bag, you can use a regular backpack or a tote bag.

Don't spend too much on baby clothing. Your baby will grow fast and won't need much at first. Check out thrift stores for almost-new baby clothes, or ask for hand-me-downs.

The one item I used every day was my sling. We almost never used a stroller (and used it to carry the diaper bag more often than the baby), but the sling was so useful. And a baby in a sling doesn't need a bouncy chair or a swing - mom's body is a much nicer place for baby to be.

Answer 2

We did not have a lot of money when our boy was born either. I don't think I bought my baby a new outfit until he was 3 months old! (New as in 'new from a retail store').
Things you should buy new are medications, Tylenol and the like. Hopefully, you will not need them - but it's always good to have them on the house. Also, petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to use during diaper changes.
A general care kit with comb/brush and nail clippers.
Also a quick read digital thermometer. No one wants to take the rectal temperature of a squirmy baby with a thermometer that takes longer than 15 seconds.
If you can get some side snap onesies - those are great. The side snaps are easier to get on & off a newborn. I have never seen them in a second hand store (and trust me, I looked), you may have to buy them new.
Other than that I can't think of anything else that HAS to be purchased new. Any clothes, blankets, etc can be found second hand. If you want a stroller, that too can be found second hand. Craiglist.org is WONDERFUL! Check out the free and baby section in your area. A lot of people just want to get rid of stuff and you can have it for little or no cost.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

I really can't think of anything other than the car seat, and other obvious items such as diapers, wipes, rash ointment, powder, etc., that would need to be new. Since you can sew, I would personally check Ebay first for fabric or search online for inexpensive fabric that you could use for crib blankets, receiving blankets, and sleepers. Have a baby shower too, even if it isn't your first child...it sounds like you either do not have other children OR it's been a while since you had a baby. People probably won't care--maybe a good friend or co-worker would be willing to set that up for you. I probably didn't help much, but hopefully did a little. Everything will work out fine though. : ) Best of luck to you and the new baby!

Answer 4

Crib, stroller or baby front/back carrier, carseat carrier, and diaper bag.

Cribs don't have to be new, unless you just want it to be. You can find a stroller and carseat carrier combo from Graco. The carrier snaps onto the stroller and can be used as a carseat as well. When the baby gets too old for the carrier, but still can't walk well, the stroller still can be used. Diaper bags can be made from a giant purse; you just have to pack it correctly. The baby front/back carrier will useful when you don't want a bulky stroller, but it's really tough on you physically, so be prepared to be out of breath alot.

The only thing that has to be new are diapers and wipes--unless you decide to use cloth diapers (DO NOT), then you're all set.

Oh and breastfeed. It renews automatically and you need only pump extra into a bottle for later. Pump a lot.

Congrats on the baby and good luck!

Answer 5

I don't see a problem with getting all items second hand. Craigslist.org is a great place to get second hand baby items.
Save the cash for diapers and wipes.
Breastfeeding is free.
There are very little essentials for a newborn since you have a carseat and a crib. You may want a stroller, which you can get second hand.

Things such as an exercauser, bouncy seat and a swing are nice, but are not essential.
I got tons of hand me downs from friends who were happy to get rid of the stuff.

Answer 6

Breastfeeding is free!!!
You can find lots of clothes on ebay for cheap.
If you are going to buy a breast pump that needs to be new as well for hygiene reasons.
Most things for a new baby are convenience. You can use cloth diapers but I'd rather not. See if you can get on WIC. (women, infants, and children) it can help a lot.
A baby tub makes baths really easy. A boppy or my breast friend also make breastfeeding easy but a couple pillows can work just as well.
I'd learn as much about breastfeeding as you can because that's where most of your cost would come from if you have to use formula. That alone can save you over $100 dollars a month. I can usually only spend 30 dollars a month on diapers and I use White Cloud from Walmart.

Answer 7

Congratulations!

Diapers may be the only thing you have to buy new, but they become the most expensive items.

I was not on a tight budget, but most of my baby's items came from garage sales and thrift shops. After all, these are items that usually mark happy times for their original owners. Maybe there are some carry-over good vibes--or maybe there is no such thing.

Just be sure you clean or disinfect everything really well.

Answer 8

The only thing i would buy absolutely new is a car seat. You dont know if a car seat second hand was in an accident or something.

Im not sure where you live but theres a store where i live called Kid to Kid that you buy hardly used baby stuff really cheap and they items are in next to perfect condition. Maybe check it out?

Answer 9

The carseat is the only one I would make sure was new.

Put out the word that you're a grateful recipient of hand-me-downs, and I bet you'll be set for all the clothes and blankets you need pretty quickly. Cloth diapers are a great cost-saver, and I got most of mine second hand. Check out www.diaperswapper.com for reviews and sales.

Find a La Leche League meeting in your area, and start going now. It's free, and you'll have a support group in place to help you with nursing when your little one gets here.

Answer 10

I just recently gave away a bunch of baby stuff that I got second hand myself because I got a lot from friends and family and they were duplicated. Try craigslist for free stuff, you have no idea how many moms contacted me and are still contacting me for that stuff.

Essentials:

Diapers, if you have a washing machine at home get cloth diapers, you will never have to spend money on a diaper again.

Baby wash (you don't need a tub, you can wash the baby right in the kitchen sink. It was good enough for us growing up)

baby detergent

If you are going to bottle feed obviously bottles. BTW, I love my microwave sterilizer.

Binkies!!!!!

Have your in-laws buy one of the carseat/stroller systems. That will kill 4 birds with one stone. You get the car sear, an infant carrier, an infant stroller and a toddler stroller. Will last for years! And will cost practically the same as a car seat.

Good luck. If I think of anything else I will add to the list.

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Also see if you qualify for WIC (Women Infant Children) they will give you food for while your pregnant, food for after birth if you breast feed OR formula for the baby and food for you if you bottle feed.

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Another thing you can do is check out your local churches. You don't have to be a member, they may be able to donate stuff to you!! Or find donars for you.