Babies on a Budget

nomangos23 · April 2019

Hi Friends! Anyone started to think about how to budget for baby? Perhaps a STM can help a girl out?

As we're starting to plan for medical bills, leave etc, I figured it would be a good topic to discuss.... What the heck can we plan to budget for baby?

kiddiesandkitties · April 2019

Excited for this thread!! Babies are SO DANG EXPENSIVE!

One thing we have done to start budgeting / planning is making a list/spreadsheet (I've got a Word doc and an Amazon list going to track for discounts) of all the things I think we're going to need to buy before baby arrives and every couple weekends we've been going out and buying one or two things off the list - to spread out the damage, so to speak. That being said - this is not our first baby, so we aren't anticipating a shower of any type, so all the 'stuff' is on us. For FTM's, a lot of the 'stuff' will come at the shower!!

I've always also bought a box of diapers in the first several sizes to have on deck. It's super nice to just break it open and not have to scramble when you run low.

RedBreast35 · April 2019

@nomangos23 basically, just plan on doing exactly what the kid in your gif is doing

I kid, but I don't really have great budgeting tips. I'm stingy AF and DH spends whatever he wants. Interested to hear what good budget-ers do!!

kiddiesandkitties · April 2019

Adding to my list of thoughts!

Marketplace is also a fabulous resource. You can get SO much of the high-end baby gear for way below retail and a lot of things are barely used if another mom's baby wasn't a fan (swing, bouncer, etc). There are also BST Facebook groups designated for many of the specialty items/categories - strollers, brands of carriers, etc. Obviously be cognizant of quality, and I would personally never buy bedding/mattresses secondhand - but a lot of things you can find for a steal, especially if you start looking now!

lillywonderland · April 2019

Honestly, babies don’t need a lot of stuff. If you do your research you can also find things that can do double duty. I also didn’t get many “toys” for DS (and he still doesn’t have much...)

We probably spent about $1.5k on all the “stuff” for DS (including nursery furniture). I maxed out my insurance that year - I want to say before insurance between prenatal care, delivery and the hospital bill it was maybe like $10k (obvi insurance took care of a very large chunk of that).

Be smart about your decisions. Sure, that $2000 crib looks beautiful, but the $200 will work just as good and looks almost identical!

MsBeachNJ · April 2019

STM advice:

As a FTM I thought everything had to be new and shiny and I scoffed at the idea of buying on FB market or at second hand stores... now as a STM I see how LITTLE some stuff ever got used, like some kids hate the swing so you could be buying essentially a brand new swing second hand. Or strollers, I've got multiple, one gets a lot of use, one, we have probably used a handful of times. I'm definitely WAY more open to buying second hand now knowing these things!

Amazon subscribe & save = life changer for me. We subscribed to all of our diapers, wipes, baby products that we'd go through regularly and 1) its saves $$!! 2) I never once ran out of diapers and was running off to a store. I started my subscription a few months in advance so I had some stock piled for when I needed them!

nomangos23 · April 2019

@kiddiesandkitties What is BST?

In terms of budget - I know we need to save for my medical expenses, income for when I'm on leave, Dr's visits, copays, diapers and wipes.... What else do I need to think about for baby? It's driving me nuts that I won't know what I need until after a shower and showers don't happen until like, 8 months! (Is that when showers happen? I don't even know lol)

Also something on my mind.. Xmas gifts. My due date puts me going back the week of Xmas eve, which leaves 0 time to save... So that's something I'm thinking about saving for now. Nothing over the top, but something sweet for each of my family members.

nomangos23 · April 2019

@lillywonderland Babies dont need a lot of stuff? Can you go through my registry for me and remove anything he wont need? lol. I have no idea what I'm doing!

LJMoon6 · April 2019

@MsBeachNJ That's such a great idea with amazon subscribe and save. I knew it was a thing but since we don't do it, I never would have thought to do it for baby products.

Since this is our first, we'll be having a couple baby showers. I don't expect them to be getting the big furniture items, so that will be on us. While at Buy Buy Baby the other day I fell in love with this rocking chair that's also a recliner and could get moved to our living room afterwards. It's the one item I think we're going to splurge on (it's pretty expensive). But I'm so excited for it. It hugged me in all the right places when I sat down.

@lillywonderland Where would you recommend getting a cheaper crib? Buy Buy Baby is so expensive! Maybe Target, Amazon, or Ikea? Although Ikea always has poor quality furniture imo and falls apart within a year. Not sure how cribs are there.

RedBreast35 · April 2019

This book was really interesting and helpful too:
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Bargains-Version-12-1-released-ebook/dp/B06ZZY27XF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=baby+budget+book&qid=1554392940&s=gateway&sr=8-1

@LJMoon6 we got a bunch of stuff (crib, dresser, highchair) at Ikea and it has all held up really well so far! There is definitely some junk there, but they do have some pretty good quality stuff as well!

nomangos23 · April 2019

We plan to spend about $500 on a crib (actually, my dad has offered to pay for it) but are spending a little more for a sturdy convertible crib. It becomes a toddler bed, then a full size bed.

Any STMs+ have thoughts on these? Worth the extra price?

LJMoon6 · April 2019

@nomangos23 I'm right there with you. I have no idea what I need and what I don't need. All the different options scare me a little too. Like, why are some baby carriers $40 while others are close to $200. They both look the same to me!

@RedBreast35 Oh that makes me happy to hear! I will definitely check out Ikea.

MsBeachNJ · April 2019

I second @RedBreast35 suggestion to buy Baby Bargains - that book was SOOOO insightful!

kiddiesandkitties · April 2019

@nomangos23 - do you plan to have more kids? I have always purchased the cribs that convert (tho have found it's harder than it used to be to find ones that dont!) and have yet to actually convert one. We always end up having another baby, getting a twin bed for the older one and moving the littlest to the crib.

We have a few fancy local baby gear stores (Hip Baby Gear and MagicBeans - not sure if they have other locations!) and both do 'sidewalk sales' a couple times a year. We got our crib there last time - you have to pick it up yourself - but was totally worth the hassle as much of the stuff is half off or more.

lillywonderland · April 2019

@nomangos23, @LJMoon6 List of what we got in spoiler (that I actually really used and felt like I needed looking back). We got a lot of hand-me-down outfits from friends and family, and clothes was the #1 thing people bought for us for our shower.

We didn’t buy any bottles at first - I tried the free sample that I got from a little goodie bag and DS liked it so I bought more of that brand later on. I also got a free breast pump via insurance so I left that off the list also.

Target and Wal Mart are good resources for cribs. Also look at Amazon, WayFair and Overstock. You’d be surprised how many are available there!

eta - spelling

Car Seat

Stroller

Furniture – Crib / Dresser / Chair / Mattress / Changing Pad

Burp Cloth (8)

Swaddle Blanket (4)

Bath Tub

Rinsing Cup for bath

Washcloths (6)

Towels (hooded because they are sooooo cute) (2)

Pack n Play with Basinet setting

PnP Sheets (2)

Waterproof Mattress Protector (2)

Crib sheets (4…2 were for daycare)

Crib Skirt

Changing Pad cover (2)

Diaper Bag

Diaper Genie (and refills)

Boppy

Nursing cover (but honestly, I DS hated mine after 7mo and a swaddle blanket works just fine)

Boon Cleaning supplies for bottles (brush / grass / tree / flower)

High Chair

Baby Carrier

Bouncer

Thermometer (we got a forehead one that came with a regular thermometer)

Nail Clipper

Brush and Comb

Baby Video Monitor

Cool Mist Humidifier

Baby “Gym” / Play Mat

Swaddle Sleep Sacks (2)

kiddiesandkitties · April 2019

@lillywonderland 's list very closely resembles mine. We used minimal real clothes in the early months and mostly stuck to pajamas/sleepers.

Also, related to breast pump:
- the Haakaa is great for saving the letdown from the other side while nursing
- if you'll be pumping for work and/or any other reason on a regular basis, get plenty of milk storage bags and pump connectors that will hook right to the bags. Lifesaver (and a real tragedy if you run out and don't realize it). I also got a lot of use out of a pumping bra, as well as a cigarette lighter adapter.

Other random adds:
- baby soap (still in the ever ending process to find a brand I love)
- lightweight seat for around the house - it's SO nice to be able to plop baby down somewhere safe to shower, etc. I have the Bjorn lounger on my list. Boppy newborn lounger is also good for this. (The swings/bouncers are often heavy and/or plugged into the wall so not convenient for dragging around).
- binkies, if you plan to use them
- variety of medicine cabinet-y stuff: tylenol, motrin, etc
- nosefrida - gross, but seriously a winner
- butt cream (triple paste is my personal preference)
- night light - very helpful for MOTN feeds if you sleep in dark dark
- white noise machine. we used 'sleep sheep' with my oldest and had a nursery version and a carseat version

RedBreast35 · April 2019

@kiddiesandkitties NOSEFRIDA yasssss!!

cammie0526 · April 2019

If you find something you like at BuyBuyBaby, look it up online before you buy. They (along with Bed, Bath & Beyond) mark up a lot of their stuff by at least 20% assuming that people will use those coupons that are always floating around.

lillywonderland · April 2019

@kiddiesandkitties, @RedBreast35 DS hated the nosefrida. That’s why I left it off. WASTE OF $20!!

nomangos23 · April 2019

@lillywonderland @kiddiesandkitties Phew - this actually closely resembles my list too.

I do have a few additional items like teethers, which I don't see on either of yours.

Is it worth registering for baby spoons/sippy cup/bowl type items? I assume baby will need them eventually.

janat1717 · April 2019

I agree on Ikea and Nosefrieda. Although I'm team not needing a lot too. Some clothes, couple of baby blankets, we do cloth diapers and wipes so you know how much you are spending up front. I guess you have to figure in increased bills from washer. We did no baby room or furniture since we were co sleeping. Car seat and a wrap to wear baby. I did splurge on bjorn bouncer chair. We used an old quilt for tummy time. Do get an easy to use thermometer. We did ear but I know forehead is popular. One wood teether/rattle. That's it, really. We don't use soap or shampoo at all at the baby age.

kiddiesandkitties · April 2019

@nomangos23 I almost added teethers but left it off figuring that was more for the post-newborn stage. Definitely worth having, though. Especially the kind you can freeze.

I say register for all of it!! Most places give you a completion discount code where you get 15-or-so % off of everything that wasn't purchased - Amazon included! Bottles, sippies, plates/bowls, silverware - buy it in bulk! Be careful with the sippies that have a lot of 'contraption' - while generally cuter than most of their competitors, they often get super nasty after a wash when the condensation/dishwasher water isn't able to appropriately dry out. Also be careful putting non-water in any of the cups beside the cheapy plastic 'take and toss' type. Same reason. Ick.

ternsetc · April 2019

I'd agree babies (under six months especially) don't need a lot of stuff. We just used a regular close lid trash can rather than a diaper genie, and a backpack we already had rather than a diaper bag, and didn't get a dresser we just use the closet and some shelves DH put up in DS's room. We didn't get a rocker either - I kind of wish we had, but it wasn't a big deal. We didn't have a shower (a few people did ask for a link to our registry) and so we focused on getting stuff we'd need right away and then bought other stuff as the need arose, to spread out the cost (didn't get a pack n play until we traveled the first time, didn't buy a highchair until he was ready to sit in it, didn't buy clothes way ahead either). If having a shower I'd put everything you think you'll need in the first year/18 mos on the registry, but I just wouldn't feel obliged to buy it yourself way ahead of time. I do think it's worth getting a few teethers, but DS seemed to prefer to chew literally anything other than the dedicated teethers we offered him. I would add drool bibs to the list of useful items - saves a lot of clothing changes once teething starts. I loved the boppy infant lounger!

We bought a lot of the bigger items (carseat, stroller, crib and mattress, changing table) from the registry using the completion discount, which helped.

We got a crib from Amazon and technically it will transform into a toddler bed (I think you'd have to buy the toddler rail separately or something), but we're planning to just get a twin mattress when the time comes.

Though I do plan to breastfeed we'll have a container of formula on hand, just in case, and I personally think (after our experience with DS last time) this is a good idea for peace of mind - if you don't use it you can donate it easily.

monkeysmom80 · April 2019

FWIW: I have found the quality of some convertible cribs to be horrible once converted to the full size bed. I will not be going that route this time around.

I do amazon moms and subscribe and save for diapers, wipes.

Mom to mom sales and Facebook marketplace and buy/sale boards on facebook are great places for used items. I wouldn't stress over everything having to be new especially with how little some things get used.

For money during time off: track your expenses now, find out what you will be bringing in when off and plan to save the balance starting now. I get very little pay so I know that I basically have to have in savings every paycheck I will be missing out on.

For medical: We max out our hsa which corresponds with out of pocket max so we are covered there.

RedBreast35 · April 2019

@lillywonderland Oh, don't get me wrong, DS loathes the nosefrida with the fire of a thousand suns. But nothing was more effective for sucking snot out of his head

bubsalicious · April 2019

Our crib is a convertible, but we have zero intentions of ever doing that. I find them to look so ugly when a full sized bed and will gladly shell out more next year when DS gets the crib boot. Like Lily said, babies really don't need a lot. Amazon Warehouse will sometimes have new items for cheap because they were return and the box isn't perfect. We saved close to $60 doing that. And like everyone else said, second hand!! We also grouped things into baby age when we would actually need the item, which made the expenses feel a little better. FWIW, the only big item we received from our shower was the high chair.

kiddiesandkitties · April 2019

@RedBreast35 @lillywonderland YES. I have to pin the child down with arms and elbows and occasionally a knee but man, the thing works!

LilyASF42 · April 2019

Life got a little busy so I haven’t been posting much but I had to jump in here to completely agree with the other moms about the Nose Frida!!!! Once you mentally get over what you are doing it’s a godsend. That bulb business? Just use it to blow on the kids face, it’s entertaining. Got actual boggies to take care of? Nose Frida! The kid will act like you are waterboarding them (esp in combination with the saline spray) but they will be able to finally breathe!

lillywonderland · April 2019

I guess I never really got the hang of the Nose Frida. The saline worked pretty darn well on its own.

septoctkids · April 2019

Yes to the nose frida!! My son used to hate it but I did it anyway because it works! He now leans in for it when I pull it out because I think he’s realIzed it gives him relief! I love all the frida products! The toothbrush is awesome and the derma frida was a huge help with cradle cap.

mommyshark13 · April 2019

Another nose Frida family here 🙋🏼‍♀️

zuuls_mom · April 2019

The nose Frida is the only thing that has helped with my snotty child. I will never not recommend it to new moms! It’s gotten progressively more difficult to use, but it’s amazing. I actually had to use it on him this morning and I lay him down between my legs with his body facing away from me and his arms pinned under my thighs. Works like a charm.

MsBeachNJ · April 2019

I actually never even took my nose frida out of the box... I couldn't get passed the grossness factor!! Thankfully I didn't have much need for it with my daughter... fx for 2.0 as well!

nomangos23 · April 2019

*Googles nose frida*

septoctkids · April 2019

@nomangos23 hahaha that I was my reaction too until my son was sooo congested I had to try it. There’s a filter so no boogies actually go in your mouth lol, they barely even go up the tube. It really is a life saver.

LilyASF42 · April 2019

@nomangos23 lol

For all the FTMs reading this, the Nose Frida is just the tip of the iceberg of the grossness you will have to deal with as a mom lol

nomangos23 · April 2019

@LilyASF42 Loooookkk... I can deal with bodily fluids, snot, poop, pee, puke... But you lose me when my mouth has to come in contact with any of it

LilyASF42 · April 2019

nomangos23 said:

@LilyASF42 Loooookkk... I can deal with bodily fluids, snot, poop, pee, puke... But you lose me when my mouth has to come in contact with any of it

There's a filter. You'll be fine! :-D

lillywonderland · April 2019

@nomangos23 Your darling baby boy will most definitely pee / spit up in your mouth at least once during his lifetime.

It happened to me. 🤢

zuuls_mom · April 2019

@nomangos23 it's really gross when you think about it, but like @LilyASF42 said, it won't get anywhere near your mouth! There's a tube, filter and then a long thinner tube so it doesn't even come close. I didn't think I could do it either and then my poor dude was so congested he just cried and I gave it a whirl and never looked back! DH can't even be in earshot though. He starts gagging

RedBreast35 · April 2019

@lillywonderland eeew! So which was it- pee or spit up?

I think I avoided those two things, but now DS is giving kisses and he likes to kiss us right on the lips, with basically his open mouth full of spit. Gross and adorable all at the same time!
@nomangos23 seriously, though, if there was no filter in that thing, there is no chance in hell I'd use it.

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