Babies do cost a lot of money, but it doesn’t have to break your bank account. When we got pregnant with Cora, I was in my last semester of college and my husband had a year left. We both were going to school full-time and working part-time jobs. I got everything you need for a baby with this list for just $400.
Once I graduated I worked full time up until I was hospitalized and put on bed rest. We didn’t have a lot and we lived in a small 400 square foot one-bedroom apartment. We were incredibly blessed with friends and family who gave us a lot of items we needed for a baby.
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Having a baby is a blessing and there will be a lot of people who will help you out. If you are in a tough financial situation, don’t hesitate to use government programs like WIC or Medicaid to help you out. Those programs are made to help those who are in tough financial circumstances.
An important aspect to remember in this list is these are only NEEDS. There are a lot of WANTS in the baby gear and baby clothes world. You only truly need a safe place for the baby to sleep, some clothes, something to clean the baby, diapers, and feeding the baby. You don’t need expensive items to fulfill all your needs.
I asked my friends who recently had babies and my parents about things I truly needed. My mom was the one who would tell it to me straight if it was a need or a want. I wanted to make sure I didn’t spend money on things that weren’t needed. I also knew that once my baby was born I could always get extra things if the budget allowed.
All the prices of the products are as of March 3, 2020. Knock On Motherhood is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
On to the list!
Everything You Need for a Baby for $400 (or less!)
1. Pack n play
A Pack’n’Play is one of the best purchases you can make for your baby. Make sure to get a Pack’n’Play that has a bassinet attachment. This makes it easier when your baby is really little to pick them up and out of it. Once they start rolling you just lower the mattress.
My daughter slept in the pack N play for 7 months. I placed the Pack’n’Play in our closet. The only reason she got out of it was that we moved into a 3 bedroom apartment and we were given a crib. Now I use the Pack’n’Play for travel and a safe place for her to play when I need to make dinner. The one I used is similar to this one.
Price: $69.99
2. Diapers
It is best to not stockpile of all the different sizes of diapers because you really don’t know how your baby would react to certain brands. Some brands would fit your baby better than others. For instance, since Baby C was born 5 weeks early, she was very small and was in preemie diapers until she was 3 months old.
I also learned that some brands don’t work as well as others. If possible, try store brand diapers first because those are cheaper than the name brands. Get a small package of newborn diapers to start with to see how your baby reacts to it.
Average store brand price for a small package of newborn diapers: $6.99
3. Wipes
The same thing goes for wipes as I said for diapers. You really don’t want to stockpile until you know for sure how your baby would react to it. Try store brands first because those are cheaper than name brands. Once you know what works you then can clip coupons and pick up wipes as needed.
The average price of store brand wipes: $12.49
4. Clothes
Baby clothes can be expensive but only if you make it that way. You need to shop second-hand in order to get them for cheap. I went to the local thrift store in town every week to look for baby clothes. On average every onesie I got was 50 cents, pants were $1, dresses and sleepers were up to $2 each. I would also shop in the Facebook marketplace to find clothes; bought nearly everything you need for a baby for the first 6 months of her life for $40.
I was incredibly blessed by one of my best friends who gave me a bunch of clothes her daughter wore before she moved. Her daughter was born almost 2 years before mine and both were born in the same season (my daughter, end of May, hers beginning of July). Our due dates were actually the same day (different years, obviously). Because of the way I shopped and my best friend’s gracious gift I was able to get a lot of clothes for my daughter up to 18 months.
Price: $40.
5. Feeding
However, you choose to feed your baby is no one’s business but you and your baby’s doctor. If you choose to breastfeed, that is the cheapest option. If you choose to formula feed there are options for you that don’t cost you a lot of money. WIC will help you with the formula if you qualify. If you don’t, you can clip coupons, get samples from companies or your doctor’s office, or buy store brands. If you choose formula you can also buy bottles secondhand (just wash really well before use) or get them new. I really like Dr. Brown’s bottles if you choose to buy new ones.
Price: $25.02 Average cost of 1 can of formula: $30
6. Burp Rags
Burp rags are a necessity. Babies sit up a lot. The cheapest option, if you are talented in sewing unlike me, is to make your own. Just make sure you choose a fabric that is absorbent. If you are like me and can’t sew to save your life, there are still cheap options for you to choose from. If possible, get store brands and fabrics that are very basic. Like this one.
Cost: $9.95.
7. Blankets
You need only 1 blanket for your baby. You want to make sure that you are able to swaddle your baby in it. A blanket can also be used to lay down on public changing tables, keep your baby warm outside and a place for them to play on. A blanket like this would do the trick.
Cost: $16.99
8. Hygiene
You need something to clean your baby with, clip their nails and suck the snot out of their nose. A lot of the time the hospital will send you home with some of these. All of these things are fairly inexpensive.
Cost: $20
9. Car Seat/Travel Set
You need a car seat to be able to take your baby home from the hospital. I found that an infant car seat carrier that snapped into a stroller was the easiest. I have one like this. My car is a little 2 door Hyundai Accent and the car seat was able to be installed safely as well. That is something you need to keep in mind I wouldn’t feel comfortable buying or being given a used car seat because you just don’t know the history of it. Carseats are considered unsafe if they have been in any type of accident.
Cost: $169.99
Total cost (as of March 3, 2020 and without tax): $401.45.
As you can see, having a baby doesn’t need to be a huge financial burden. Just be smart and frugal. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends and family or government programs if needed. Having a baby is a huge blessing in your life.