Save Money With These Tips For New Parents
Having a baby changes your world automatically and switches to a new path. While you are all excited about the newborn baby, your worry now would be what you need as a new parent, the things that you should have with you so that you can properly take care of your infant. Compared to the past years, parenting has become more advanced, and there are a lot of things that the baby needs for him or her to feel and sleep comfortably. This article highlights some of the essential things that new parents must have to ensure that their baby is in good health and comfortable all the time.
BABY CLOTHES ESSENTIALS
The most interesting thing about babies is that they normally only need the basics; you do not have to buy lots of baby gifts for your baby for her to be comfortable, the basics are enough for her to feel comfortable, and you may baby gifts from family and friends. You can begin by purchasing the 5 to 10 long sleeved onesies, five pairs of cotton pants, and remember, they must be soft. You can also get her some tops; these should be short sleeved, baby socks, pyjamas as well as bibs. You can later expand your baby’s wardrobe once you find out the kind of clothes they are most comfortable in. You should avoid buying everything in newborn size; you should get a few of them from 0 to 3 months and a few for 3-6 months.
NAPPIES & WIPES
If basic cloth nappies are your choice, then you are lucky because they can be easily found in your local baby store. One of the good things about this type of nappy is that it can be easily washed and reused. If you are after more modern nappies, there are plenty of them as well; they exist in different colours, shapes, and sizes. Such nappies can be found in online shops like Amazon. If you are thinking of using the disposable nappies, you should take caution before buying in bulk, this is because babies tend to outgrow nappies quickly, in addition to that, your baby might end up reacting negatively to the nappies, so buying in bulk and not being able to return them might mean you lose money.
FEEDING EQUIPMENT
Feeding equipment is a must for every mother, whether you are breastfeeding her or feeding her formula. This is essential because it will allow the mother to let other people help her with feeding the baby. Whether breastfed or formula fed you will need to have a set of reusable baby feeding bottles, a bottle cleaner, bottle sanitiser, and teats. All mothers will need to have with them the following; bibs, burp cloths, cleaning cloths as well as linens whenever necessary. As your little one is growing, she will be trying new foods; you should, therefore, ensure that you also have a highchair. This will make feeding time more comfortable for you and the baby.
INSURANCE
As a new parent, considering getting life insurance is one of the best things you can ever do for a new family. This is because having life insurance will always ensure that there will be financial resources available for your baby should something happen to or both of the parents. Also insurance cover for the more expensive baby items such as a car seat and pushchair or stroller would be sensible too.
Choosing the correct life insurance policy can help in making sure the future of your family is taken care of in the event of a life-changing event. There are plenty of life insurances policies available; you should, therefore, take financial advice on the best policy for your family.
BASIC NURSERY LINENS
Babies are better sleeping on their cribs, bassinet or a pack n play than sharing a bed with their parent(s). Therefore, as a parent, you should always ensure that you provide your baby with some sets of basic sheets, receiving blanket, swaddling cover as well as waterproof sheets. Ensure that you get your baby a crib that meets all the safety standards.
CLEANING & BASIC BABY HYGIENE
For your baby to smell fresh all the time, he or she will need regular bathing, which is why you should her a tiny bathtub, petroleum jelly, baby wash, baby thermometer, cotton balls, baby washcloths, infant Q tips, baby towels, baby nail cutter and more. These items will help in keeping your baby clean; however, while purchasing soaps and shampoos, you should ensure that they are designed specifically for babies.
ESSENTIAL BABY TRANSPORTATION GEAR
If you are a parent who is planning to travel a lot with her baby, you should ensure that you have a baby stroller, sun shield and a car seat. However, things such as car seats might be expensive which is why some parents might opt for second hand. Therefore it is essential that you get a car seat that is still in good condition and meets current safety regulations.
BABY COMFORTERS & PLAYTHINGS
As your little one grows, she will need some comforters and soft stimulating playthings. Make sure that any toys you buy are both suitable for your baby’s age and meet the current safety standards. Cutting corners and buy cheap toys probably isn’t a good idea. A few select toys and comforters are probably a better idea, like these Jellycat comforters.
LOVE
For a baby to be comfortable and healthy, she will need all the above, although, those alone are not enough if she doesn’t get the love she needs. Regular cuddles with your baby are essential for both bonding and wellbeing.
Becoming a parent can be expensive. Taking care of a baby costs more than some people might think, and that is why many parents might be looking for ways to save some money. This can be done by buying only the essentials and where appropriate, buying second-hand items or acquiring hand me downs from family and friends. We hope you found these tips both practical and useful.