First time Moms, Tips on saving

Every parent wants the best for their child especially if they are first time parents. We want to buy the best for them no matter how expensive it is. But don't you think it is much better to save a penny for their future and invest only in the MOST important things they would need? I was once a victim of expensive unnecessary things for my first born and I did regret them after when it will sit on a cabinet and be of no use anymore. Indeed there is always a first time for everything. I want to share to the first time parents few tips on saving.

1. Identify things needed for your newborn. Below are the list of must haves for newborn. Some of these can be gifted or these can be preowned.

• side tie clothes - at least 6 pieces
• mittens and booties - at least 6 pairs
• cloth diaper - two dozen
• diaper cover/diaper pants - at least 6 pieces
• receiving blanket - at least 2
• bonnet - at least 2
• burp cloth - at least 6 pieces
• bib - at least 6 pieces
• diaper clip

When I had my first born I only bought few pairs of baby essentials because mom was such a pack rat. She kept all our stuff when we were babies and my kids were the beneficiaries. They are now using my 27yo cloth diaper and surprisingly it is in pristine condition.  Mom even stitched our names in each of it. Galing noh?  So I only bought side tie clothes and diaper cover/diaper pants for them.

2. Breastfeeding. You can save a lot from this not only the benefits it gives you but also for your newborn. When I had a hard time latching my son for the first month I spent php2,500 per week on his formula milk. Imagine how much you will save for your newborn for breastfeeding?

3 Cloth diapering. There are parents who have different view on this and I respect them. But for me this saved me alot of money. I didn't cloth diaper much my first born. I was only able to do it until his 6 months and later on all disposables and I did regret it. But with my little girl, until now she is on cloth diaper because she has sensitive skin. I only use disposables during bedtime. So my usual consumption for disposables is one diaper per day. I am not just saving a lot of money but I am also saving mother earth. 

4. Essential baby gears/things. Invest ONLY in the needed baby gears and identify the essential ones. Make sure you ensure the safety of your babies in getting these gears. 

• Bed/playpen - Buy a durable one. DO a research and wait for a sale in the malls. Don't be persuaded by the sales persons on what they will offer you. Focus only on the needed ones. We got our kids the pack and play playpen which is a bassinet/playpen and bed all in one which can be used until the kids' transition to sleep on a bed. 
• Car seat - Invest on a car seat which can be used until toddler years. You don't wanna buy again another one when your newborn outgrows it. Again do a research. 
• Stroller - Alot of strollers are out in the market and can be very deceiving as which one to get. First identify what kind of stroller would you need. If you will be needing the bulky, collapsible or the one which can hold a lot of baby gears and most of all which is safe for your newborn.
• Baby Sling - Prices may also vary from different brands and then again, do a research because baby slings sometimes can be used as a cover when nursing.
• Baby Rocker -  I didn't buy one of these because aside from it being expensive I don't feel the need for it.
• Play gym - I planned to buy one of these before with my son when he started to roll to and from his back but when I learned that he is more motivated on simple objects I already backed the idea and suddenly realized he won't be needing it anymore. 
• Toys - Invest on toys which is 5% toy and 95% creative thinking from your baby. Choose the ones that are safe. All objects can be a toy from empty boxes and empty bottles that makes sounds but make sure you keep an eye on your baby.
• Baby Bottles -  Choose the ones that are safe for your babies which are BPA free. 
• Sterilizer - Alot of sterilizers are out in the market again do a research on which one would fit your budget. 
• Breastpump - Invest in a good one! I was abe to get a flimsy one and wasted php800 for it due to lack of research. 

5. Baby food. This can be very expensive especially if the jar says organic. But there is no better way of giving your babies freshly prepared food from your kitchen free from chemicals and preservatives. 

Hope these tips would help the first time parents out there.