How do you save $ on baby items?

[tinabohio]

Originally Posted by cori n wes mom And I second the clothe diapers....cheaper...it can be if your willing to buy used...but sending a bunch of poo into the grey water system is not helpful for the environment at all.

For us, the water from the washer goes into the same pipes the toilet water goes to. Since, in most communities, the water goes into the sewer system the same as toilet water, it's no worse on the environment than adult poo.

[momto8kiddos]

I've learned through ten babies that you don't really need all the things they say you need.

Changing table - change them on the bed
diaper pad - towels work fine
diaper stacker - keep them in a drawer
diaper disposal system - just tie each diaper in a grocery bag and throw it away
playpen - we almost never used it as a playpen
frontpack - borrow this to see if you really like it before buying
backpack - ditto
toys - they need so few toys!

[VivaciousJewelz]

Originally Posted by thoble use home made baby food that will help u r cause....

You can go either way on this- Gerber puts out tons of baby food coupons, so I've actually spent less buying baby food than I would buying produce to cut up into baby food myself.

[Dhunny318]

wow, this was a great thread to find! I liked the poll and the responses.

With our last kiddo, I was not coupon-savvy, but we were blessed that my MIL got him lots of things when he was born. She bought the crib, swing, car seat system, mostly everything. We also got lucky that a friend of hubby's aunt had a boy a year earlier, so she sent us his baby car seat and about 3 garbage bags full of hand-me-downs. We still ended up spending a lot on him, though. We had problems with him latching on and biting(ouch!) so he had to start on formula at 2 months. We also had no clue about how generic anything was just about the same as name brand, so we wasted money there too. Baby food was bought and we were STRUGGLING!

We got lucky when I found a message board thread on MSN about saving on groceries and other things. From there, I was directed to HCW to keep a lookout on diaper deals. Ever since then, we've been on the diaper/pull up saving band wagon. Now, with #2 on the way, I'm more than prepared and know that we won't be making the same mistakes. Even if she ends up having the same breastfeeding issue, I'm smart enough now to know where to look for deals on formula, sign up for their mailing lists, and stockpile diapers and wipes as much as I can. And oh yeah, I now know what baby "crap" is truely that and what we actually need and spend accordingly.

[beth119]

How do I save on baby items??

I stopped having babies :) LOL.

I saw a lot of people post that babies aren't really that expensive. You guys are right, they're not.
It is CHILDREN that are. Sports, dance, school fundraisers, pictures, happy meals, haircuts, college, etc etc etc etc....

My kids didn't cost a TON until they were around 4. (Except for the horrible medical bills... but I don't count that as "average")

[junecleaver]

Originally Posted by beth119 How do I save on baby items?? I stopped having babies :) LOL. I saw a lot of people post that babies aren't really that expensive. You guys are right, they're not. It is CHILDREN that are. Sports, dance, school fundraisers, pictures, happy meals, haircuts, college, etc etc etc etc.... My kids didn't cost a TON until they were around 4. (Except for the horrible medical bills... but I don't count that as "average")

Cute Beth & Very True
Haircuts for my boys are $312 a year. I'm lucky if I spend $150 on my hair every year.

[lazy1608]

Originally Posted by junecleaver Cute Beth & Very True Haircuts for my boys are $312 a year. I'm lucky if I spend $150 on my hair every year.

My son's haircuts cost me nothing since I give him haircuts myself and I don't spend more than $15 a year on myself since I grow my hair all year and then get it cut and donate it for cancer patients. :) I get it cut once a year. Right now it has been almost 2 years since I have last had it cut! Yeah!!!

[nurseannette]

Beth, you hit the nail on the head. It is definately the kids not the babies that are costly!

[coltsmom]

I agree, I garage sale get al his clothes and toys for .10-.25 I can get his dresser full for 5.00. Same with myself, although my spouse is a have to get it all new he is learning that when i get him clothes at .25 he noticed that he seems to wear them twice as long. YAY!!! Taught and completed. Baby food I am picky i do use gerber but, i buy the .50 jars then I always use 1.00/3 so for three jars I spend .50.
Diapers I wait for a sale then use in store coupons, and manufactor coupons together so far have not yet spent more the .97 each. Except for LUVs I did however buy a few for 3.00 before I got this coupon thing down. What was I thinking. Then for similac I use a 5.00 coupon and a 5.00 check makes the big tubs B1G1 Free. Love it. Coupons are the best thing that has ever happened. Although Walmart is getting to know me i feel that maybe they wish they cold close the door on me. They haven't yet lol. I am by no means poor but what a good feeling it is when you can go to walmart buy 100 items and spend less 10.00 I love sales clarence and coupons. Thanks for listening Coltsmom