How To Not Go Broke Having a Baby!

Often  messages of BUY! BUY! BUY! bombard our brain's already strained cpu storage. In the same vein, we often hear how much babies need and how expensive they are. Financial stability can be the determining factor for many when it comes to planning pregnancies. At age 19 when I birthed my 1st son, Amani, my husband and I were newlyweds in college, struggling financially. In the midst of sweet joy and love for my newborn baby, I felt a sense of worry that we wouldn't have enough money. Eight years and four children later, and I look back and laugh at my understanding of finances, let alone what a baby or child really needs. 

1. Nix the Nursery! 

This time around while pregnant with my 4th baby we were finally financially stable and in fact prosperous. This was our first baby girl after 3 boys together, and we just happened to have an extra unused room so I splurged and made a nursery!! It will also serve as her room when she's a little
older so it's needed, but many people don't need a baby nursery. According to your lifestyle baby can sleep safely next to mommy. My mom bought me a bassinet with my first baby, and it sat completely unused until I sold it months later on Craigslist. I kept baby personal items in my room.

If you do need/want a nursery you can create one for less!

Find freebies or cheap furniture on Craigslist, and yard sales. I bought a dresser from Craigslist for $75, and I painted it really pretty for cheap :) :) I saw changing tables selling upwards from $150. On Sundays many people sale yard sale leftovers for cheap or giveaway. People give furniture away for free when moving because they can't transport it or are downsizing space. 

Be careful when buying or receiving free cribs to make sure they have not been recalled. Speaking of cribs....I've never bought one. I bought a used pack-n-play from Craigslist when our babies were toddler stage.

If you have a sewing machine and a little skill, you can sew your own affordable curtains for beautiful window treatments!

A baby shower can furnish many of your nursery needs for free! Baby showers are so lucrative this deserves it's own blog post.

2. Baby Shower Bonanza! 

With my first 2 children, I was tripping! I missed out on having baby showers....

But my last 2 babies, I had lovely baby showers. My last baby shower was a surprise success for me because we had recently moved to a new state and I didn't know many people locally. Thank goodness for the social media age! I found a Facebook group for women who shared my poly interests, and they threw me a baby shower upon me posting in the group that I'd like to have one but didn't know many women. At my baby shower I received a free baby bed, free stroller, free clothes, and other baby items. I received other free gifts from friends who didn't live locally.

3. Kooky Cloth Diapers?!

There are some upfront fees but it's so worth it! I spent about $130 buying cloth diapers online from Amazon stores. You can buy used ones too from Craigslist. I use organic cotton clothes, bamboo inserts, and decorative diaper covers. I even made my own wipes from organic hemp cotton. I made up my own baby wipe solution from Castile soap, water, and essential oils - Calendula, Lavender, and   Chamomile. This will save you at least $600+ a year on disposable diapers. We potty trained all ours by age 2. So, we plan to save about $1200+ total on diapers. This was not an option when we didn't have our own washer and dryer....or when I was lazier on washing clothes.... :/ I wash one load of baby changing stuff, clothes, and covers a day. Sale your children's used cloth diapers on Craigslist when you're done! Everyone can't afford the upfront costs of brand new cloth diapers, and a family will appreciate your used ones.

4. Second-Hand Wardrobe!

Children get poop stains, food stains, spit-up stains, baby food stains, you name it, and they will get it on their clothes!  Thrift stores, children's second-hand stores, and Craigslist can be awesome places to shop for affordable clothes, and even for finding name brands.  Keep your children's best non-stained clothes and resale at second-hand stores for quick cash!

5. Childcare Chaos!

Childcare can really break the bank. My husband and I are able to work on different schedules so we usually don't have to pay for childcare. I also homeschool....and look for free or affordable community programs such as the Boys and Girls Club after school program. You could also make money by watching other parent's children too. For example, you could charge for children to stay at your house overnight for parents with odd shifts.

6. Carseat!

You will need a carseat. Some insurance programs even offer free carseats for successful completion of prenatal visits. Be sure to check your insurance provider for this benefit! There are also some State programs, local hospitals, etc. that offer free carseats. If not, carseats run about $60 at major retailers. Be careful about buying carseats off of Craigslist because they can be recalled.

7. Trash Toys!

With my first baby,  I stressed about not being able to afford all the newest "greatest" toys. I bought what I could. Still I realized I had wasted money, as my child didn't want to play with those toys. He didn't want to swing in the musical swing, etc. Instead, I caught him playing with a used paper towel roll, just as content as can be.

8. Home-made Skin Care Products!

I love making my baby's own skin care products like baby wash and shampoo, and lotion. Many products on the market have dangerous chemicals that are harmful to babies and your peace of mind. You can make your own and save lots of money. I buy a bulk supply of Castile soap, coconut oil or butter, mango butter, and shea butter. To make a creamy lotion, I like to mix coconut butter, mango butter, and shea butter together. Be sure to combine, melt slowly on stove, and then freeze it. This will help get rid of the grittiness that can be in unprocessed butters. Take out mixture before it freezes solid, while it's still soft enough to blend with a handheld mixer. This will whip it up creamy. Add essential oils while mixing. Be careful not to add essential oils while cooking mixture because it will heat the sensitive essential oils away.... I like Calendula, Chamomile, and Lavender which smell great and have health benefits for baby. These essential oils relax babies and much more. 

9. Stroller!

I was able to score a free one from my baby shower! Yippee!! If not, Craigslist and Thrift stores will have your back!!

10. Love is Free!

Don't underestimate the attention you give your baby! The best gift you can give your baby is yourself...a peaceful, happy, full of love self!!! Don't sweat the small stuff that can distract you from what's most important, and that is the time you spend with your baby! Massage your baby with your home-made lotion, and speak loving affirmations such as you are so Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Baby!

Bonus

Home-births  or births at a birthing center attended by midwives can also be affordable, safe, and happy options too! I'll do a blog on natural childbirth later....