It may be tempting to buy a baby bathtub, but it’s really just an extra expense. Smaller babies can be bathed in the sink, and you can always hold any baby carefully in a bathtub filled with just about two inches of water. You won’t be leaving Baby unattended in the bath for any period of time at all anyway, right? Baby washcloths and hooded towels are cute, but also unnecessary. It’s a good idea to purchase soap or body wash made especially for babies, because their skin is so sensitive that even mild bar soap can irritate. But you can use regular shampoo; just avoid getting it into Baby’s eyes. Did you know that baby oil is just pure mineral oil, plus scent? Compare prices; you may be able to save a bit by purchasing plain mineral oil instead. Also, it’s cheaper to use cornstarch in place of baby powder – again, it’s really just a matter of scented vs. unscented.
Baby’s wardrobe …
It’s so easy to fall prey to the allure of adorable baby outfits! But then you end up paying twelve bucks for an outfit your baby wears a couple of times and then outgrows – so generally, they’re not worth it. Some tips for frugally outfitting Baby:
Buy only two or three newborn-sized garments, in case your baby is too big for them at birth. You can always roll up the pant legs and sleeves on larger-sized outfits if necessary.
Buy gender-neutral clothing so that you can hand it down to your future kids – boys or girls.
Check out yard sales, thrift stores and the like. Baby clothes are outgrown so fast and worn so infrequently that you can usually find a fantastic bargain on very good quality things.
Take out a classified ad in the paper stating you’d like to buy children’s clothing in whatever size you specify. You can name your own price, and sometimes people just want to get rid of their kids’ old stuff so badly that they’ll just give it away.
Send the word to friends and family that you’re looking for hand-me-downs.
Avoid buying clothing with lace, embroidery or anything else that might require special care.
When Baby outgrows her sleepers, cut out the feet and use socks, or allow Baby to go barefoot.