What to Really Buy: New Parents Guide for First Year Savings

You are pregnant and suddenly all the thoughts and talks are about the little one. You look for advice on Internet , read baby books, develop a keen interest in other's kids.Then you start filling up the entire nursery with blues or pinks, paint the room, get tons of toys and try to buy the best out there.

"I Do not love my baby if i do not buy this......"
This is typically a thought that triggers a spending phenomenon in almost all new parents. But before you buy your newborns a fancy bathrobe ($14), 10 sets of toys ($30 or more), an expensive Bathtub ($30), expensive diaper disposals ($30+cost of refills), think again. Even if you have time to put him the robe any single day , the chances are you might put him in it once or twice. For babies after the warm water bath, all they need is milk and a good sleep. Babies initially sleep longer and all they do is feed and sleep. Most of them start to play when they lie on tummy and some play when they crawl. Many toys go untouched and all they like is your silly talk, the "twinkle twinkle" and a look in the mirror. They like to explore their surroundings more than sitting at a place.

Tip:
Whenever you think of buying any unwanted stuff, instead of buying it just find its price and put that amount in your piggy bank. These small change can add up to a lot for the whole year which can be useful for coming years. May be you can use that later for the stuff the kid really needs.

What not to buy
A Bassinet -you save $80-$200-Its useful for initial 3-4 months and then head to storage.

A Hi-tech Diaper disposal- you save $30-Any cheap garbage can with lid would be fine.

A swing-you save $60-$100- Swing is great but occupy lot of space and babies outgrow them after first few months.

A Changing station- you save $100-$200- Relax on the extra walk up to the changing station and use disposable sheets to change anywhere at home.

CD/Crib Mobiles- you save $30 or more -Be the Idol yourself. They are of minimal use.

Toys, Teether, Soft toys- you Save $30-$100 or more- Let the little explorer do his/her work. Once they grow up their needs will let you choose the right toys.

Halloween Costume- you save $10-$30- Unless you have a big fancy party and a competition to win, save those bucks for future costumes. You can buy a regular Halloween onesie for very less.

Playpen- you save $100- Its more likely that the baby will bother you more inside it.

Wipe Warmers- you save $20

Bottle Sterilizer- you save $45-Sterilize in boiling water on stove top carefully.

Walkers- you save $40-$70- Just like babies learned crawling, standing, talking, smiling, interacting on their own; they learn to walk too!

What to buy( need not be pricey):
Any economical Hi-chair- Good feeding place. Its also useful when mommy is running errands and cannot run behind the little one.

Stroller & car seat

Good infant carrier

Good baby blanket

Baby bottles & brush

Clothes, pair of sock- Buy according to season and limit overstocking.The chances are that you stock up more than required and some may remain unused.

Tip:
Do not stock up everything at once before baby's arrival. Buy things as you need them. You might get some as gifts of shower, some after baby's arrival.

Cheap Tips:
Dove soap works for my newborn

I use my index finger to clean the tiny gums

Olive Oil is good for massage as well as a great moisturizer too. I use the bottled moisturizer for outside.

The empty Cardboard diapers boxes are so rugged that i use them as my storage boxes .

I do not use wipes at home, instead i use regular bath tissue to wipe excess and then wash the baby's bottoms in bathroom sink after every change for cleanliness. Keep the wipes for travel.

Save $700 or more:
If you were planning to buy all the listed items in "what not to buy" then list out the price of each and put that amount in your piggy . You should have saved at least $700 by not buying them.