Newborn Essentials on a Budget by AGATA
This post is about Newborn Baby Essentials on a Budget, highlighting What You Really Need.
Becoming a parent, while exciting may also be overwhelming, especially as we get closer to the due date and the anticipated arrival of the new baby. With so many products on the market, it can be tempting to feel like we need to buy a lot of baby gear, but in reality, babies do not need much. With a little bit of planning and most importantly focusing on the newborn essentials on a budget that you really need! You can save money on the baby items you need for your little one without breaking the bank.
Disclaimer! Please exercise caution and common sense while using the information provided on this blog. I am not claiming to be an expert and am writing about my own experience. Always consult a professional or search for the best practice guides for the product you want to purchase. For example, in the UK you can use the NHS or lullaby trust website to research safety advice on beds and car seats.
The links in this blog post lead to items I personally purchased. I was not compensated for any products mentioned. My views are based on my own experience using and owning these products.
This post will highlight and outline the most important newborn essentials on a budget to get you started:
1. Bed and Mattress
When buying a bed, it is essential that you think of how safe and comfortable the bed is for your baby. The mattress should be firm and be able to fit perfectly into the bed, with no gaps or spaces where your baby could be trapped.
Personally, I opted for an elementary cot. This is because it was sturdy, adjustable, met safety standards, and fit within my budget. Additionally, the elementary cot allowed me to adjust it to when my baby is a bit older. Additionally, due to the sturdy structure of the bed, I was able to buy a cot top changer, which saved my back and some space in my room.
I opted to buy a new bed and mattress. While I would strongly recommend buying a new mattress, you can find cheap beds on Facebook marketplace or amazon.
2. Car Seat
By law, it is essential to have a car seat to keep your baby safe in the car. Choose a car seat that fits your budget, meets safety requirements, and fits your car.
Personally, I bought the Joie Juva Classic car seat as it was cheap and fit into my car. However, I did return this car seat as this one did not allow me to get pram adapters and fit it on the pram. Therefore, I did decide to spend a bit more money to be able to get my car seat onto my pram frame and be more comfortable when shopping. This is not necessary, you can go for the cheaper option and put your car seat in the shopping trolley.
3. Pram
Again, when it comes to buying a pram we want it to be comfortable and suit your budget. You can get pram sets, which have the pram, stroller attachments, and a car seat. These can get expensive but they do not have to be.
I bought my pram and stroller attachment on Facebook marketplace and it saved me a load of money.
I would highly recommend buying a pram before your baby is here. If like me you want comfort while shopping you can get the pram attachments, I got my attachments from eBay.
Additionally, I ended up using my pram for my baby’s naps while we are downstairs in the living room. I was considering buying a Moses basket but was undecided about it, and so I used the pram. And I can honestly say that it is so much easier. Well, apart from my floors needing a mop more often, I can take my baby around the house with me and I saved money by not buying a Moses basket.
4. Diapers and wipes
You can buy diapers and wipes in bulk to save money, after all, you will need a lot!
Personally, I was gifted a small pack of size 1 diaper (left over from games played at my baby shower) and then bought size 2. Size 1 did not last me a long time. I used them at the hospital until they were gone and then switched to size 2. Of course, this will depend on the size of your baby. If your baby is smaller, you can always get more size 1s. I started off with pampers size 1s and switched to mamia for my size 2 diapers as I have an Aldi close to me.
You can also opt for cloth diapers, which may be a cost-effective option. But, disposable diapers are more convenient, especially when you’re on the go. I would advise getting disposable diapers for the hospital for comfort. Especially if you are staying for a few nights, it will save you a bit of laundry when you get home.
You can always do both cloth and disposable diapers. There are pros and cons to both as I’m sure you know.
5. Clothes
Your baby will need a few outfits, onesies, and bodysuits. Newborns grow so fast, so remember not to go overboard with the clothes as it is highly likely that you will need to be buying more clothes in no time.
I would highly recommend buying second-hand used baby clothes. If someone in your family has any free baby clothes to donate to you then take them to save some money. I bought a massive bundle of clothes 0-3 months from Facebook marketplace. I also received some clothes as gifts at my baby shower. Some of the things that I got on Facebook marketplace were never worn because of how fast babies grow. The one piece of clothing that I would recommend buying is a lot of bodysuits, there are times when these get super messy.
Make sure you have hats for the hospital, every single time a health professional came to see me they wanted a hat on my baby, which always fell off or did not fit.
6. Blanket/Sleeping bag
At the hospital, I was told to lay a blanket underneath my baby’s armpits and tuck it into the side of the basket. At home, I opt for blankets during the day and sleeping bags at night. Some people opt for swaddling, therefore a swaddling blanket might be good to buy. If you think that swaddling is what you want to do, then at the hospital you can ask someone to show you how to swaddle properly. There is no shame in asking, and it is not common knowledge.
Whatever you choose, make sure you follow the right guidance.
Remember, the guidance does seem to change, so whatever was deemed as right a few years ago may not be advisable now. Additionally, different countries have their own guidance on what they deem is the safest for your baby.
7. Feeding Equipment
If you have decided that you want to formula-feed then you will need to buy the essentials! If, like me, you wanted to try breastfeeding I would highly recommend putting some money away for some feeding essentials.
- Formula-feeding essentials:
- Formula
- Bottle
- Bottlebrush
- Bottle sterilizer
- Breastfeeding or undecided
- If you want to breastfeed or have not decided what you want to do, then you do not need to buy anything. But I would definitely recommend saving money for this! In my experience, I had to mix feed as I was unable to solely breastfeed initially. I ended up having to buy things for formula feeds and things such as a pump to help me breastfeed.
[Recommended: 7 Must-Know Breastfeeding Realities]
8. Muslin Cloths
Babies spit up a lot, buy a lot of muslin cloths, so you can have them on hand. They get dirty, or in my experience, they keep falling on the floor.
By focusing on these newborn essentials on a budget and avoiding unnecessary purchases, you can save money and have everything you need for your new arrival. Remember, the most important thing is to provide your baby with a safe, comfortable, and loving environment, and with a little bit of planning, you can do just that.
This post was all about newborn essentials on a budget.