Welcoming a newborn is exciting, but the costs can add up fast. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to give your baby the best start.
I am a mom of 3, including twins, and in this newborn essentials on a budget guide, I am breaking down my tips on what the newborn must haves are and sharing money saving tips. This post will help you cover all the basics without breaking the bank.
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How To Establish Your Budget for Baby Gear
The total price of all the stuff you need for your baby might seem daunting. The good news is you don’t actually need many of the items you see from the baby registry checklists you get from stores like Amazon and Target.
The first thing you need to do when setting up your budget is figure out what you need versus what you want (optional items). In the next section you will find my list of bare minimum newborn essentials.
Then, you will want to look up prices for the items you will be buying. The easiest thing to do is make a list in Google Sheets of the items you need. Then add a column for the estimated cost as you do your research. Finally, add it all up and see where you end up.
If your total sum ends up within your budget – great! If not, you will find strategies below on how to save money on baby gear, which you can use to reduce your costs.
Other considerations for your budget include whether you are having a baby shower where you expect to receive baby gifts. If you get some items as gifts, that will give you more wiggle room in your budget. And finally, as your baby grows there are more items you will need, but you can wait and save up before purchasing them once your little one has been born.
Newborn Baby Essentials on a Budget List
Here is my list of the only items you need for a newborn. I have also included a link to my recommendations for the most budget-friendly option. You do want to get good quality, but at a good price, so I have taken both of these things into consideration.
- Convertible Car Seat (grows with your child, good for 4-65 lb): $99
- 2-in-1 Convertible Stroller (grows with your childe, both bassinet & upright seat): $120
- 24-piece set of Newborn Baby Clothes: $44
- Case of Newborn Diapers: $45
- Case of Baby Wipes: $20
- Convertible Crib: $99
- Crib Mattress: $42
- Waterproof Crib Mattress Protectors (2-pack): $20
- Fitted Crib Sheets (2-pack): $10
- Swaddling Blankets (4-pack): $20
- Burp Cloths (6-pack): $16
- Cloth Drooling Bibs (6-pack): $9
- Baby Shampoo / Body Wash / Lotion set: $15
- Baby Nail Clippers / Scissors: $10
- Gentle / Baby-Friendly Laundry Detergent: $10
- No-Touch Thermometer: $20
- 4 oz Baby Bottles (set of 4, only need if formula feeding or pumping): $25
TOTAL COST: $624
If you buy every single thing new on the list above new, you can see the total cost is $624. Definitely a good chunk of change, but the good news is there are a lot of things you can do to reduce this cost, which will be discussed below.
Remember that you will need to replenish diapers and wipes regularly. Learn how many diapers and wipes a baby goes through in a day here.
If you are formula feeding you will be provided formula at the hospital and be sent home with a little bit of a supply. You might want to wait until your baby drinks formula before you buy any. You will see what brand your baby gets and it might be easiest to stick with that one at first – especially if they are doing well with it.
Before we move on, you might want to grab these FREE printable Pregnancy Checklists. They include a baby registry, hospital bag, and trimester checklist and you can get them by clicking the button below.
Optional Newborn Baby Items – If Your Budget Allows
Depending on your budget and any money you have been able to save on baby gear, you might be able to add more items to your list. Here are some optional items to consider also getting if it’s within your budget.
- Bassinet
- Playard (Pack N Play / Portable Crib) – will eventually need this is you plan to travel away from home with your baby
- Baby Swing
- Additional Nursery Furniture (dresser, bookshelf, etc.)
- Baby Monitor
- Changing Pad – important if you don’t want to change your baby on the floor or furniture
- Baby Bath Tub
- Baby Carrier
- Bouncer Seat
- Play Mat
- Pacifiers
- Nursing Pillow (if breastfeeding)
- Breast Pads (if breastfeeding)
- Lanolin (if breastfeeding)
- Bottle Drying Rack (if bottle feeding)
Ways To Be Frugal & Save Money on New Baby Essentials
Here are some strategies to save money and get all the newborn essentials you need (and maybe even some nice to have items) on a budget.
- Get Free Baby Gear: Find out if you can get hand-me-downs from friends and family and join your local Buy Nothing group to score free baby items.
- Create a Baby Registry: Even if you don’t have a shower, make a registry. People often want to help and you will get some useful freebies when you create your registry from the bigger box stores like Amazon, Target, and Babylist
- Buy Used Baby Gear: Check out Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores. Here’s a list of the best baby items to buy used for reference.
- Try to Breastfeed: It doesn’t necessarily always work out, but if you are able to exclusively breastfeed your baby, you will save quite a bit of money by not having to buy formula.
- Think Long Term: Buy baby gear that grows with your baby, such as a convertible car seat and convertible crib.
Does the newborn essentials on a budget list have more or less items than you anticipated?
Unfortunately, having a baby is costly. Besides all the baby gear, you will continually be buying diapers, wipes, and possibly formula. Those items alone add up quickly.
But just remember, it’s easy to get carried away with extra things you don’t end up using or need. Stick with the basics from the list above. And finally, be smart about what you purchase used vs new or even get for free. You might be surprised how much money you can save.
