How to Prepare for a New Baby Without Spending a Lot of Money

New parents often hear from family, friends, and glossy magazine article how expensive having a baby can be. New furniture, clothing that is outgrown quickly, formula and baby food, and a dozen other "must haves" that can add up quickly. So what are parents who simply do not have a huge amount of money to spend to do? Here are some money saving tips for parents-to-be.

High cost item #1 - Infant formula
Buying cases of expensive infant formula can quickly add up for parents. Add into that the cost of bottles, the inconvenience of cleaning and preparing, and the sleep lost to late night feedings and the price of formula seems even larger. What can parents do to save money? Breastfeed. Breastmilk is free, always ready, and goes with you every where. Breastfed children also have stronger immune systems, which can mean healthier children and less doctor bills or time off of work to care for sick children.

High cost item #2 - Diapers
Second to formula diapers are the next highest priced item that parents will be constantly buying. Even with cheaper brands with ten to twelve diaper changes a day the prices can be enormous. What can parents do? Cloth diapers are making a strong comeback because they are not only as easy to use as disposable diapers, come in an assortment of cute styles and colors, but also because the one time cost is half of what most parents will spend on disposable diapers in their child's diapered life. Costs for disposable diapers average at about $2,000 to $3,000 per child, yet a good cloth diaper stash can be put together for around $500. And the best part? Cloth diapers have a great resale value, meaning you can get most of your money back after you child has outgrown them.

High cost item #3 - Nursery furniture
The crib, the changing table, and the cute matching bedding, are expensive items that can wipe out an entire paycheck for some parents. What is a cheaper alternative? Many parents choose not to buy any of the expensive furniture. Changing tables or changing stations can be dangerous, especially after the child has begun rolling over and is learning to get around. Experienced parents will tell you to skip the table and just use the floor, bed, or a low couch to quickly change a diaper. And for the crib and crib bedding? Cosleeping parents will tell you that brining baby into their bed not only meant no need for a crib, but it also means no need to buy pricey crib bedding, sheets, and matching nursery décor that many parents are tempted with. Cosleeping also helps with bonding for both parents, allows parents to sleep more peacefully, and reduces the numerous trips that all new parents take checking on their baby's every whimper. And for breastfeeding moms night feeding evolves into a quick task, simply lift the shirt and fall back to sleep.

High cost item #4 - Baby clothes.
Babies grow fast, very fast. What fits today may easily be too tight tomorrow, especially during the first few months when babies are doubling or tripling their birth weight. Despite the short wear time and the fondness for stains, baby cloths are expensive to buy. Low cost solution? Look for used baby clothes. I know it may sound odd at first, but often an entire wardrobe can be found in second hand stores and consignment shops in near perfect condition. Boxes of new baby clothes that were never worn because the child outgrew them, they were the wrong seasonal attire, or the parents simply never got around to putting them on are often donated or put up for resale. You can expect to pay half the new price, or less, and still walk away with clean, adorable, great condition baby clothes.

High cost item #5 - Stroller
The big, bulky, hard to manage baby stroller is not only a struggle for new parents to operate, it is also pricey. Trying to load and unload the stroller, maneuver narrow aisles in stores, and move across anything not paved can reduce any new parent to tears. So what is a more cost effective item? Other than using your arms, which are free, parents can look into the wide assortment of baby slings and carriers available today. Many can be found for $50 or less, and for the craftier parent a simple sling can be made for less than $10. Lightweight, easy to carry, and simple to use slings offer parents a hands free way to carry their baby and still be able to shop, clean, eat, or anything else. Added bonus is that babies carried often cry less and feel more secure because the closeness of contact, the nearby heartbeat, and the sway of the parents' body reminds the child of the womb.

Though at first the though of having a baby may seem expensive, especially so with dozens of products marketed to new parents as "must have" items, the fact is a child really does not need all of the modern conveniences offered. A warm place to sleep, a full belly, a clean diaper, and a loving caregiver are all a baby really needs. By choosing low cost or free alternatives parents do not need to worry about the expense of having a baby.