Buying Baby Essentials On A Budget
If you’re preparing for the arrival of a baby, you’ll understand how difficult it can be to gather all of the various baby essentials. Baby showers are a huge help with this, as are family and friends, but it’s up to you to figure out which items take precedence and prioritize not just what to buy, but how. What things are important when deciding how to buy for baby? Below are a few different things to consider when stocking up on products for baby.
Must-Have Baby Essentials
Materials
The materials used for baby products vary widely in feel, health standard and durability. One way to make sure you’re getting the best for your baby is to do your research. Know what goes into each product you buy and think about what is important to you and your family. If you want to have reusable diapers, for instance, consider whether cotton, hemp, or materials like bamboo are best by clearly understanding the pros and cons associated with each.
Health and Safety
One thing that moms and dads alike worry most about is the health of their child. Most baby products come with health and safety warnings and although some products are obvious when it comes to their health implications (food, bottles, diapers), others are less intuitive when it comes to the health and safety implications. For instance, are the clothes free of chemicals and dyes that cause irritation for baby’s sensitive skin? Is the stroller ergonomically beneficial for baby while they sit? Remember that there’s more to think about than what your baby eats or plays with.
Age
This refers to the age of the products you’re using. Buying all new baby products can be finically taxing, so getting products from friends and family is a huge draw. This is totally acceptable and, in some cases, even works out better than buying new because parents have a direct referral for the success of the product. Clothing and shoes are especially suitable items to get second-hand because babies grow so quickly, and they usually don’t get much wear. Just look out for drawstrings, loose buttons or fraying material. The same thing goes for toys — check for chipped paint, outdated materials (like lead paint) and run products through online recall finders to make sure they are still safe for use.
Longevity
One way to ensure your baby has the best product is to think about how long these products will be used. Things like highchairs, strollers and cribs will be used for years and making sure you buy smart when they are babies can save you money and time later on. Think about getting highchairs and strollers that are adjustable and grow with baby so that you aren’t replacing these items every six months.
Buying baby essentials is a tough thing to do and it’s all too easy for young parents to get overwhelmed. Consider these four things when buying everything from clothes to toys to car seats.