4 Tips to Save on Newborn Expenses!

Guest post bio: Today, we’re going to share a guest post from Clare, an expert money-saving author who writes weekly columns for Bargainmoose.ca, the Canadian shopping community. On Bargainmoose, you can find a wealth of shopping deals, free samples and freebies, plus the latest promo codes and promotions for top Canadian brands.

 

Newborn babies can be expensive! Here are some tips for you to consider to reduce your newborn expenses and to lessen the cost of a newborn in the first year:

4 Tips to Save on Newborn Expenses

Many celebrities, not to mention regular people around us, are pregnant these days.  It is a simultaneously exciting and anxiety ridden time to be expecting a newborn child.  The anxiety may be related to the extra added costs of raising a newborn baby (not to mention the anxiety of raising the actual baby!).

Switch to Cloth Diapers instead of Plastic Diapers

According to Investopedia, the average child goes through 2,700 diapers in the first year alone, which equates to about $550 annually just for diapers.  Opting for cloth diapers instead of plastic diapers, and washing the cloth diapers yourself can save you $320 on an annual basis (however it is generally agreed upon that cloth diapers can be less convenient).

Breast feed instead of Formula Feed

Formula can cost around $900 on an annual basis.  Although formula feeding is convenient, your baby will not get the maternal antibodies that are passed down in breast milk, which gives your child immunity from germs.  Breastfeeding is free but can be tiring for you as a new mom and can be painful if not done right.   You may need to buy breastfeeding accessories like a breast pump or a maternity bra. Consult your local lactation consultant or public health centre if you are having pain during breast feeding – oftentimes proper positioning can fix the problem.

Put a call out to Friends and Family for Hand Me Downs

Many of your friends and family are probably itching to get rid of the clothes that don’t fit their toddler anymore.  Investopedia estimates that clothing your newborn infant can cost up to $60 a month in the first year.  Any way to reduce this cost is a good idea, especially since your newborn won’t be able to fit in these same clothes a few months from now.

If you are getting a hand-me-down of a car seat, it is a good idea to make sure that it hasn’t expired for the safety of your child!

Start going to Baby Groups and Socializing

Getting to know other moms and newborns in your community and neighborhood not only helps you socialize (and keeps you sane: cooing to your new child unfortunately doesn’t likely satisfy your need for normal adult conversation), but it can give you contacts for daycare or babysitting.  I have a friend who has arranged to babysit her friend’s infant on Mondays to Wednesdays and vice versa.  This has saved her thousands in daycare costs.

 

Raising a newborn child is so exciting and rewarding and there are a lot of things to consider (breastfeeding vs bottle feeding, cloth diapers vs plastic, etc.).  Communicating with your partner and deciding on what works for you is the best approach, because what works for others may not always work for you.

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  1. It only goes to show where theres will theres a way. Keep on trying. My one regret in life is that I am not someone else. Woody Allen Born 1935

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