Prepare for Baby When You Have No Money

When you are pregnant, it seems you are immediately bombarded with advice and things you are told you “need”. It can be hard to tune out all the advice and the advertisements, but do your best. In spite of all the checklists, there is actually very little that you need for an infant. Needs will change as they grow, but if funds are tight as you are preparing for baby, stick to what you need right away. If friends or family are planning to give gifts, ask if they can go together and provide some high ticket items that you will need. And, if you are a first time parent and you aren’t sure, here’s a list of some necessities to prioritize.

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Where to start

Start with a budget. If you don’t have one already, click here to learn how to create a budget. This will help you determine what financial steps you need to take to get ready. It will also help you determine how much you can afford to spend on baby gear. Once you have that dollar amount, whether it’s big or small, you can start buying. Search for prices. See what you can buy secondhand, or what friends and family can give you. I know I had coworkers who were happy to pack up extra things their child had outgrown and pass them along as soon as they found out I was expecting. After that, purchase the things you need the most first.

Items You Need:

A Place to Sleep

You do not need a crib, and a bassinet, and a pack and play. Would it be nice to have options for where to lay down your baby for naps and sleep? Yes. Do you need it? No. In fact, your baby may not even like to be laid down and may end up barely using all 3 options. Yep, that’s been our experience. Thankfully the crib was a hand-me-down, the pack and play was a gift, and the only one we actually spent any money on was the bassinet.

But did you know you don’t even really need a crib, bassinet or pack and play?

It is very important that you have a safe sleeping surface for baby, but all you really need is a crib mattress and good fitting sheets. This is not only safe, it is also a part of the Montessori method. A crib mattress on the floor was the best option for my son. It was easiest to get him to fall asleep and stay asleep as we could be next to him on the floor when needed.

There are two steps to make sure that your baby is safe. First, choose a mattress that is firm and approved for infants, and use tight-fitting sheets. Ideally the mattress should be relatively thin, so that if baby rolls off, it’s not a big drop. A typical crib mattress is relatively thin and firm. Second, baby proof the room so that when baby starts to be able to move around, they are safe.

Bed-sharing

Although it’s a topic of hot debate and a big no-no on some parenting sites, bed-sharing can be low risk if done correctly. If you are bed-sharing with your baby, you also won’t need to purchase a crib or bassinet. The key to safe bed-sharing is for you and your baby to meet the criteria called the Safe Sleep 7. To find out more, check out the La Leche International website. Bed-sharing is definitely not for everyone, and you may not meet the Safe Sleep 7 criteria through no fault of your own. But it is an option that is beneficial for many parents and babies, and it has been vilified for too long. The research supports bed-sharing for those who can meet the criteria, and it is way safer than falling asleep accidentally while sitting on the couch!

Swaddle Blankets

You don’t need much bedding for baby, but a swaddle blanket can be a life saver. It may be tempting to buy those sleep sacks or sleeping bags, as swaddling can look a bit intimidating at first. But you will learn to be a pro at swaddling very quickly! Babies outgrow those cute little sleep sacks fast, and you will need more than one for each stage in case of night time accidents. That price can add up fast. If you buy large swaddle blankets, your child can use them as a swaddle as a newborn (with some folding) and as they grow. We were gifted these muslin swaddle blankets, and found they were the perfect size.

Car Seat

You don’t need a car seat with all the bells and whistles, but you do need a car seat that is safe for your little one. This would be a great gift to encourage family to get together and buy for you. If you need to buy it yourself, you can look at wholesale stores or shop used car seats to save. If shopping used, be cautious. Look for recalls and the manufacturer’s expiration dates before purchasing. Also make sure that the car seat was not involved in any crash. You will not always know if the seller is trustworthy, but if you are buying from a family member or friend you can have more confidence.

Baby Gate

You may not need a baby gate immediately, but some of you may. We used a gate because our baby was sleeping on a mattress on the floor, and we didn’t want our dog to snuggle too close to our tiny infant! If you’re on a tight budget, and you can’t get a hand-me-down, you can DIY a baby gate. If you’re a bit handy, there are many ideas and tutorials for gates made of wood, PVC pipe, and fabric. Just be sure that whatever you make, you are absolutely certain it is safe.

Bottles

There are so many kinds of baby bottles on the market, each promising a better feeding experience. I’m not convinced that any one bottle or nipple is superior to the rest. We bought the Mason Bottle Set to save space and money. We already had plenty of glass jars, so we didn’t need to buy any. This set includes nipples, lids, and silicone sleeves to work with 4 oz and 8 oz Mason Jars. I had some concerns initially about using glass, but the silicone sleeve did a good job. We never had a jar break. While it’s about the same price as buying a typical bottle, you won’t need to buy breast milk storage bags or containers to corral the bags in your freezer. You simply freeze your breast milk in the Mason jars! That was a huge benefit for me. If you don’t have the budget for the full Mason bottle set, all you really need is the set of nipples.

Breast Pump or Formula

If you are fortunate, health insurance will cover your breast pump. If not, you may have to purchase one yourself. Breast pumps can be expensive, but there are ways to spend less. Our local wholesale store often has new breast pumps, for 50% or less of normal price. A friend or family member may have a closed system breast pump you can use, so you only need to buy the set of parts (flanges, tubes, etc). A closed system pump can be sanitized and used second hand. Do not use an open system breast pump second hand as these cannot be sanitized. Check out KellyMom, a website with evidence-based information about breastfeeding from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), for a list of closed vs open system breast pumps. If you can’t afford a breast pump, you may be able to get one through WIC in the US.

If you’re not breastfeeding, you will need to buy formula. I would recommend having some formula on hand, but don’t stock up heavily before your child is born. It is totally possible that your child will have dietary sensitivities and need a different kind of formula than you planned. Even if you plan to breastfeed, you should still have at least a sample size can of formula just in case it doesn’t go as you plan. You don’t have to purchase this though, as you can often get a free sample can of formula with many of the free baby boxes when you start a registry. Even if you don’t need a registry, start one! You will usually get free stuff and a discount when you purchase items off the registry. So add things you plan to buy and see if you can get it cheaper through the registry.

Nursing pads

You can save money by purchasing washable nursing pads rather than disposable ones. I used these from Bamboobies and I loved them. One concern I had was that the heart shaped daytime nursing pads made it too easy for a slight slip to lead to a leak. For that reason, I always wore the overnight ones at work.

Clothing

Your baby will need clothes, but thankfully your baby will not care one bit if it’s brand name or the latest style. They will not remember if it was brand new or second hand. And they will not be wearing it very long. Shop second hand, consignment sales, or find hand me downs if your budget is very tight. Baby won’t care, and I felt better about all the stains and messes that babies can make when the clothing wasn’t brand new. Even now that my son is a toddler, I like to have used clothes for him so that I can let him play in the dirt as much as he wants. In addition to onesies, sleepers, and socks, you may also want to consider a jacket or sweater, mitts, and a hat depending on the season.

Diapers and Baby Wipes

We saved money by using cloth diapers and cloth baby wipes. I know that cloth diapering isn’t for everyone. The biggest downside is that cloth diapering supplies are a bit of an investment up front, but they save you money over time. You will also have more laundry to do, but actually using the diapers is remarkably easy these days. I’ve tried flat diapers, prefolds, and pocket diapers and I liked all of them. My husband wasn’t a big fan of the flat diapers, as it takes a bit of practice to keep it folded while putting it on wiggly baby! And I actually had less blow-outs with cloth diapers than with disposable diapers. To learn more about how to get started with cloth diapering, check out my article How do Cloth Diapers Work.

Where to get cloth diapering supplies

Our favorite diapers were Nora’s Nursery. These diapers are currently $70 for 7 diapers. That is a lot, but with disposable diapers you can easily spend between $40-$100 per month. And that doesn’t even count baby wipes! Another great site is Green Mountain Diapers. They have a wealth of information that can really help you when looking into cloth diapering and getting started. Shop their selection or click on their Learn tab to find out just about anything you want to know about cloth diapering.

You can purchase cloth baby wipes or you can even get a bit of fabric and make it yourself. I actually bought flannel, cut it to the size I wanted, and I didn’t even hem the baby wipes. The wipes held up just fine the whole time we needed them. We’d just throw them in the diaper pail and wash them all together. If we had a particularly nasty one, I didn’t even feel bad about throwing it out since I hadn’t bought it or put that much time and effort into it. You can simply moisten them with water when you use them, keep them pre-moistened, or use some gentle soap.

Bag for Diapers

I specifically did not say diaper bag because you do not actually need to buy a diaper bag. It can be any bag that is easy to carry and holds what you need.

Container for Used Diapers

You do not need the latest and greatest diaper pail. We actually used a 12 gallon trash can with lockable lid. When we’re out of the diaper stage (hopefully, very soon), we’ll still be able to use the trash can elsewhere. It worked well to hold wet bags for our cloth diapers as well.

Sling or Baby Carrier

If funds are tight, you don’t actually need a stroller. Slings or carriers can be more affordable. They’re worth it, because they make it easier both at home and on the go. Sometimes babies just want to be close to momma, and with a sling or carrier you can keep them with you and still have hands free. Outside the home, the sling was convenient for walking the dog and grocery shopping. I didn’t have to juggle a leash and a stroller. At the grocery store, I wasn’t lugging my car seat along. And if I wanted to get out on uneven ground for a walk, I didn’t have to worry about where it was level or flat for a stroller to go. I used this ring sling and loved it, but you can find ring slings for less than $20 if the budget’s really tight.

Thermometer, Nail Clippers, and Nose Suction Bulb

If you’re lucky, you may get sent home from the hospital with several nose suction bulbs. I would purchase a baby nail clippers; they are pretty cheap and it makes big difference when working with those tiny fingers. If you don’t have a thermometer, get one. You don’t want to be trying to shop for a thermometer with a cranky, sick baby who may or may not have a fever. It doesn’t have to be specifically a baby thermometer either.

Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

These products are made for sensitive baby skin and to not irritate eyes. You can find similar gentle products for adults that would be fine to use for your baby if they are cheaper. Personally, I haven’t tried any adult products with my son, as we were gifted enough baby body wash that we are still using it for my toddler.

Things You Don’t Need:

There is nothing wrong with these items, and if you have the money and would like them, then go for it! However, if your budget is tight then these are items you can do without.

Baby Monitor

Your baby will be OK if you don’t have video feed the whole time and can’t hear every little sound. In fact, you may sleep better if you don’t hear every little soft baby sound during the night. Since co-sleeping (baby staying in the same room as the parent) is recommended until age 6 months, you will be easily able to hear your little one overnight.

There are alternatives to a traditional baby monitor as well. Do you have two cellphones or a cellphone and a tablet in your home? You can use that as a monitor. It can be as simple as a voice call on speaker (don’t forget to mute your side), or you can use video chat applications like Skype. If you’re worried about security, just know that in some ways your phone is safer than your average baby monitor. While nothing is perfect, phones and tablets have more security built in to prevent hacking and malware. I have a baby monitor but actually prefer to use a two phone set up. Somehow I can never get the baby monitor to work when I’m in the garage, but I can go anywhere I want with the cellphone and still hear my little one.

Receiving Blankets

Receiving blankets are too small for swaddling, and don’t serve much purpose. Babies shouldn’t have blankets besides a swaddle in the bed anyway until they are 1 year old. For covering up in the cold, you can easily use a swaddle blanket instead of a receiving blanket.

Boppy or Nursing Pillow

Despite the hype, you can easily use a regular pillow to support your arm and the baby while nursing.

Sippy Cups

A sippy cup won’t be used until baby is 4-6 months old. Even then, you don’t need a special sippy cup for baby. Learning to use a straw or drink from an open cup is better for your baby’s oral and speech development. I taught my son to use a straw with these honey bear cups; it was a tip from a speech therapist friend of mine. Now, we use these silicone lids and straws. They aren’t entirely spill proof, but they are pretty close. These lids work with nearly any cup, and they clean really easily. We were frustrated with straw cups marketed for children because they’re hard to clean, and eventually we threw out a few due to mold concerns.

Shoes

Your baby isn’t walking yet. The shoes look cute, but they are totally unnecessary.

Sleeping bags or Sleep sacks

Your baby will outgrow these and the cost can add up as you buy each size. You will learn to swaddle quickly, and we have online videos these days to help teach us!

White Noise Machine

White noise was very helpful for my little one, but I actually use an app on my phone or an old cellphone. There’s no point spending any money on a special machine when it’s all right at the tips of our fingers these days for free.

Bottle Brush

If you buy the Mason Bottle set I mentioned above, the nipples are made that they don’t need a bottle brush to be cleaned. They are also dishwasher safe.

Breast Milk Storage Bags

With the Mason Bottle set, you don’t need milk storage bags either.

Bottle Warmer

Bottle Warmers are convenient, but you can warm up a bottle the old fashioned way. Place the jar of milk in a dish of warm water and you’ll be just fine.

Bibs

Baby won’t be eating any solid foods for at least 4 months. And if you don’t receive any bibs as gifts, you can use a towel and a clothespin or make a DIY bib. Did you know a hand towel with a head hole cut in the middle makes a fabulous bib? It covers an outfit better than most actual bibs. If you do have money in your budget, I recommend this apron style bib. It is a higher price than some bibs, but you basically only need one. After meals, it rinses clean, then hang it to dry and it will be ready for the next meal. It can be machine washed and dried if needed. And it will still fit when they’re a toddler and they’re making a mess eating soup.

Burp Cloths

Any towel or blanket will do. I have frequently grabbed a dish towel in a spit up emergency! If you do happen to get a bunch of receiving blankets as gifts, these are also a fabulous substitute for a burp cloth. Also, a prefold or flat cloth diaper could be used in place of a burp cloth.

High chair

Again, your baby won’t be eating solid foods for at least 4 months. Even then, you may be able to save money by just buying a booster seat instead.

Bumbo seat

As a physical therapist, I dislike Bumbo seats. Not only does your child not need one, it is more likely to hinder their development of motor skills than to help. Even if you’re offered one for free, just say no.

Jumpers, Exersaucers, and Bouncers

Again, these are not great for your baby’s development. You don’t need them, and a child shouldn’t even be in them for more than 15 minutes a day. They are a big waste of space and money, in my opinion.

Swing

While a swing can be a great place for a fussy infant to be when you just need a short break, it isn’t essential. We were fortunate to be able to borrow a Mamaroo (a very expensive baby swing), but guess what happened? Yep, our son hated it. I would put him in it so I’d have a few minutes to use the bathroom, and he’d scream the whole time. Moral of the story: don’t spend a lot of money on equipment and baby gear that your baby may never want to use. If possible, borrow from a family member or friend and try it out before spending your precious dollars, to make sure it will work for your little one.

Changing Table

A changing table can be handy, but sometimes it’s easier and safer just to change your baby on the floor. Throw down a towel or blanket, and you won’t have to worry about baby wiggling off the table.

If you have health problems that make changing a baby on the floor difficult, you could put that towel down on the sofa or on a table to change them. To save space and money, we put a changing pad down on top of a dresser in my son’s room. We got the dresser for free from some family when they were upgrading, and the changing pad was less than $25 on Amazon. Just be sure to find a way to secure that changing pad safely to the top of the dresser.

Diaper Bag

Any old bag will do. It does not have to be a diaper bag or anything special. The kind of bag we use has changed over time, as our needs have changed.

Diaper Pail

While you need somewhere to store used diapers, it does not have to be a fancy diaper pail. We got a trashcan with a locking lid and it has worked just fine. At my in-laws, they prefer to skip the diaper pail entirely to avoid any chance of odor in the home, and immediately take the used diapers to a bag by the garage door.

Baby washcloths and towels

Baby towels are so adorable! But they don’t dry your baby any better than a regular towel. You can absolutely give your baby a bath with the washcloths and towels you already have. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can even make your own hooded towel out of a regular hand towel and bath towel.

Baby toothbrush

Your baby will need their own toothbrush eventually, but you can use a washcloth to clean your child’s teeth until they are about a year old.

Books

Don’t misunderstand, you do need to read your child books! You just don’t have to buy them or have a big library of baby books at home. That’s what public libraries are for. Our library has a whole section of board books, so swing by every so often and pick up some new books for you and baby to explore together. Our library actually has a few toys as well.

Play Mat

Play mats can be a great way to have tummy time, but there are lots of other ways to have fun on the floor. Spread a blanket and get on the floor with your little one to read a book or examine a toy. Or, allow your baby to explore movement and everyday items on their own when you need a minute for yourself. It’s good for babies to have some time without stimulation too. They have a lot to take in and a lot to learn about this big old world.

Stroller

If you’ve read to this point, you know that my baby was very opinionated. And yes, he also hated his stroller. We did use it a few times, but it was a bigger item that we had purchased ourselves. I have regretted spending that money every time I walked past the stroller. If you don’t have much money, don’t make our mistake and spend on gear you won’t use.

Any parents out there want to weigh in on baby gear that is necessary or baby gear that you didn’t really use? Do you have any tips for saving that you can share with first time parents? Comment below or email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you!

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