Bringing a new bundle of joy into your life is a thrilling and transformative experience. However, it’s no secret that raising a child can be financially demanding, especially for new parents on a tight budget. From nappies to nursery essentials and medical bills, the expenses can quickly add up. With a bit of creativity and some smart planning, you can navigate baby expenses without breaking the bank. As they say, hindsight is 20/20 vision, and if I could go back to when I was expecting there are certainly some things I would do differently, and others that I managed to get right. Here are some of my top tips for helping new and expecting parents manage their budget efficiently while still providing the best for their little one.
1. Create a Baby Budget
The first step in managing baby expenses is creating a comprehensive budget. Take a close look at your income and existing expenses to determine how much you can allocate to your baby's needs. Track your spending and identify areas where you can cut back to make room for new baby-related costs. Having a clear budget will help you stay on track and avoid unnecessary splurges.
2. Prioritise Essential Items
It's easy to get carried away with all the adorable baby items on the market, but remember that not everything is a ‘must-have’. Don’t be tempted to buy everything upfront. Rather wait until there is a need, as many items you may not even need or end up using at all. Many people are surprised that not all babies take dummies. Rather try with one than buying an assortment of dummies, clips and accessories. Avoid splurging on unnecessary baby gadgets and toys, especially in the early months when your little one's needs are relatively simple. Focus on purchasing essential items such as nappies, wipes, a safe place for baby to sleep at first and a car seat. Create a checklist of ‘must-have’ items and stick to it to avoid overspending.
3. Embrace Hand-Me-Downs
Babies grow incredibly fast, and they outgrow their clothes and gear in the blink of an eye. Instead of purchasing everything brand new, consider accepting hand-me-downs from friends or family members. Baby clothes, prams, cots, and other items can be quite pricey, so reusing gently used items can save a substantial amount of money. Join local second-hand groups on social media, explore thrift stores, and check online platforms for deals on pre-loved baby items. Yaga is a great app to buy and sell second-hand clothes, and there are also some great thrift stores on Instagram, as well as monthly thrift markets (check out @thriftfest). Ask friends and neighbours with kids what their favourite second-hand stores are, or if they have anything they’d like to sell. You will often find people hang onto things they don’t need for a long time, simply because they haven’t gotten around to getting rid of it.
4. Buy in Bulk
Buying baby essentials in bulk can lead to significant savings over time. Look for deals and discounts on nappies, formula, baby food, and other consumables. Warehouse stores and online retailers often offer bulk options, which can help you cut down on the cost per item. Keep an eye out for special deals and promotions on baby products. Takealot often has specials on baby products, including nappies, and most stores have Black Friday promotions where you can stock up. Clicks also regularly has 3-for-2 promotions on wipes and other essentials. Just make sure you know what products you will need, or what the exchange or refund policy is. Non-scented wipes for sensitive skin are usually a good idea for newborn babies. We found Huggies Gold were best for tiny babies and Pampers Premium for newborns. However, we hadn’t tried other brands at the time so there might have been more cost-effective alternatives depending on your need.
5. Consider Cloth Diapers
While disposable nappies are convenient, they can also be a considerable ongoing expense. Cloth nappies are a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option in the long run. While the initial investment might be higher, reusable cloth nappies can save you money over your baby's nappy wearing period. These can also be bought second-hand - which at first might sound gross - but once they are washed and sterilised they are as good as new. You might also find some parents bought in bulk and then opted for disposable nappies, leaving them unused. Once again, be sure of your needs before shelling out a large sum of money.
6. Breastfeed if Possible
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for your baby's health but can also save you a significant amount of money on formula expenses. If breastfeeding is possible and comfortable for you and your baby, it can be a cost-effective feeding option. Other benefits are the fact that it’s always ready and on hand, cutting out the hassle and expense of sterilising and heating bottles. Studies claim that babies who are exclusively breastfed (EBF) for the first 6 months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea. They also have fewer hospitalisations and visits to the doctor. This obviously varies according to the baby, and it’s not something one can always rely on or plan beforehand, but if it’s something you want to do, consider investing in a consultation with a lactation consultant shortly after birth, to ensure there are no issues. If you’re on medical aid, the maternity benefit should cover at least one consultation, and even if not the cost of a consultation could save multiple expenses later on.
7. Meal Prep
Remember, parents need to eat too. Especially breastfeeding moms, who need to consume more calories than when they were pregnant to keep up their milk supply. The last thing you’ll feel like doing is preparing meals or thinking of what to eat for dinner each night. The first few weeks or months can often feel like survival mode. If you have kind friends or family nearby, they might offer to drop off some meals in the first couple of week. Always accept help wherever possible, even if you think you won’t need it. As wonderful as this is, it doesn’t always last. Your partner will most likely return to work and the world will carry on while you are left to care for a newborn. Having a plan for food and meals will save you many unnecessary takeaway orders and impulse grocery deliveries. Thankfully we live in an age where we can get food delivered at the click of a button, but it’s always a good idea to plan at least for a month in advance. If you have a freezer, prep meals that you can freeze and save some room to freeze meals you might get as gifts. Stock up on healthy snacks that will last and are easy to eat. Ensuring you eat enough will help with your energy and leave you less likely to have to resort to caffeine. If you have just given birth don’t even think about dieting, just focus on getting enough whole foods in your diet to keep you healthy. Exercise is also something that can wait – looking after a newborn, whether breastfeeding or not, is exercise enough. Supplements are also often unnecessary unless prescribed by a doctor. There are lot of products on the market that claim to boost milk supply. Don’t be tempted to buy them. If you are having an issue speak to your doctor or lactation consultant. I believe staying hydrated and consuming enough calories is the most important thing you can do to boost milk supply, and unless you require prescription medication, lactation bars, drinks and cookies are more likely a novelty that you can forego. For some healthy, affordable recipe inspiration have a look at Savvy Spending with Kate's Quick, Cheap & Healthy Meal Guide.
8. Utilise Free Resources
Take advantage of free resources available in your community. Many hospitals, libraries, and community centres offer parenting classes, support groups, and baby gear lending programs. These resources can provide valuable information and help you access baby items without spending a fortune. If you are going to a private hospital, such as Medi-Clinic or Life, they usually include antenatal classes as well as a baby bag with some products. This is usually enough to get you through your hospital stay or longer. Check with your hospital what they provide so you know what you can cross off your list. There are several other baby and pregnancy programs including the Vitality Baby benefit (if you’re with Discovery), the Dischem Baby Programme, Clicks Babyclub and Pick n Pay Smart Shopper’s Baby Club. Check with stores and your medical aid if they have any baby programmes and what it includes. Most are free to sign up for. For example, Clicks and Pick n Pay have exclusive specials as well as double or triple clubcard points on baby items, and Dischem and Vitality include a free baby bag with various and products and samples (check ahead what the qualifying criteria is). Basically, from around your second trimester, try to cash in on as many freebies and special deal programmes as you can, because it all helps in the long run. Another service that I would recommend paying for is an infant first-aid course. Some courses offer Vitality Points, including Safe Med. Try to do an infant first-aid course while pregnant rather than waiting if possible. This is something that is best done in-person and one of the few things that is always worth paying for – as long as it is done through a reputable provider. Check with hospitals and baby clinics what is available in your area. Once baby is born they will need several immunisations. Most of the vaccines are free, but if you go to a private clinic you will need to pay for the administration, and this can range anywhere from R140-R500+. Whereas immunisations done at state clinics are administered for free. Check where the closest state clinic is to your home, as you will need your proof of address. Alternatively, check for the prices of administration first before booking at a private clinic and also decide how much you are willing to pay for convenience, since you may need to wait in a queue at a state clinic, which can be tricky if you have a fussy baby.
9. Opt for Generic Brands
Don't feel compelled to buy only brand-name baby products. A high price does not necessarily equal higher quality. Generic or store-brand items are often just as safe and effective as their more expensive counterparts. Compare ingredients and read reviews to make informed choices that will save you money. There tends to be a lot of competition on social media and in parents’ groups about what brands you are using, but remember that babies need very little in terms of material goods. Checkers’ Lovies brand is excellent for nappies, wipes and baby lotion. Clicks also has some good options. Petroleum jelly is perfect for a bum barrier cream (there are several brands available). Sometimes you will even find that babies prefer generic brands of bottles and dummies over their expensive counterparts. Rather buy generic brands first until you are instructed otherwise by a paediatrician. Even in the NICU of our private hospital we found that the nurses used generic branded products. Even things like fancy swaddle wraps and blankets were found unnecessary as any blanket can be used to swaddle a baby. Nursing covers are also unnecessary since one can use any blanket or cloth for privacy. Old-fashioned towelling nappies or any towels can be used for burp cloths and normal pillows can easily replace pregnancy and nursing pillows. First see what you have in your house or what family and friends might be willing to part with, before the very real ‘nesting’ syndrome and clever marketing pitches convince you that you need the most expensive, well-known brands for every baby-product that exists.
10. Plan Thoughtful Baby Gifts
When friends and family ask what they can get for your baby, suggest practical and useful items that you genuinely need. This way, you can receive gifts that will reduce your baby expenses and save you from buying those items yourself. Trendy baby outfits are absolutely adorable but to be honest, babies go through so many clothes, you will find that you opt for the most comfortable and easy to get on and off (think front zip-up or press-stud button onesies and vests with wide necks). Baby shoes make us all go ‘awwww’, but the idea of a newborn wearing shoes or even of getting sports brand name sneakers for an infant or toddler is a complete waste of money. If you have the money, great, but if you’re looking to save then focus on what they will really need and always choose comfort and convenience over fashion and style. If you’re planning to have more than one child, try to opt for gender-neutral clothing as much as possible. That being said, any gift should be welcomed. Having a registry or wish list is a great idea, but putting rules on what colours or items are allowed could make many people feel upset. If your aunty gives your daughter a frilly dress, put her in it for a photo, but if people ask what they can get you, be ready with some ideas for things you need and remember some people might prefer to give a voucher so remind people that this would be welcomed, as well as hand-me-downs (should they have older kids). So many of my friends felt embarrassed to give me second-hand items because they assumed I would want the latest brand-new clothing and baby goods. So I made very sure to tell people that their used items were most welcome. We literally got black bags filled with clothes for all ages, which we are still going through. Whatever we don’t use, we donate. Just remember that it will depend on the season your baby is born in as to what you will need in what size, so hand-me-downs are not always a one-size-fits-all, and remember to specify this if people ask what clothing you will need.
Becoming a new parent is an exciting but often daunting experience. Suddenly you have an extra human that you need to keep alive. As scary as it can seem, remember that people have been doing it since the beginning of time. You will find that your grandparents and great-grandparents were able to raise children without a fraction of the tools we have available today. We are better equipped than ever before, but at the same time, we need to remember that a baby’s needs are comparatively simple and that we don’t need to be tempted or guilted into buying every gadget on the market or spending a fortune on baby products. Less is more and when it comes to a baby the most important thing they need is your love – and that is something you can never put a price tag on.
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