Any of us cannot turn around presently without all the forms of the media screaming about the global financial crisis and how hard things are for all of us. But without doubt, a slow news arrives, and the media begin tallying up exactly how many hundreds of thousands of dollars it’s going to cost us to raise our children.. However how much does it really cost to have a baby?
The answer is completely in your hands. You can buy a new Bugaboo, or a pram on Ebay for a 1/10 of the cost. You can buy the latest baby seat and capsule, or you can buy second hand one from your best friend.
Having a baby costs as much as you want it to. If you want a new nursery in your home think about ways to lower the costs involved - beg and borrow.
As with a lot things in life, there is a big difference relating to desires and requirements. Babies are truly very straightforward creatures and require little more than love, somewhere warm to live, food, someone to change them and a lot of love - that is the easy part.
As a result if you’re planning a baby, or perhaps a new one, plus your budget could do with a little bit of help, below some guidelines that may help ease the financial pressure of a baby.
Borrow, Beg but don't steal
You might have friends that may have a baby that has outgrown the cot or bassinette it has been using, make use of it for the few months that your baby will need it. Do any of your relations have a spare cot? Possibly even the cot you slept in while a baby? Always check that baby equipment is secure and complies with the Australian Standards, but using second-hand items makes excellent monetary and environmental sense - that is it will lower your carbon imprint. Save your money for a new cot mattress, a reasonable stroller and a new baby car seat.
Buy only what you require and no more.
It can be so enticing to dream away the pregnant days thinking of things you might need then spending time at the shops purchasing masses of gorgeous things that your baby won’t ever actually use. If this is your first baby, try and restrict yourself to just buying plain things like singlets and jumpsuits. You may well be shocked with the amount of hand-outs you will receive for your baby. More often than not babies grow too fast to be dressed in all the outfits they are given, as a result it makes sense to limit yourself and then see what you really do need to buy.
Swap parties & toy libraries
Ask your buddies who have had babies what baby things, products or items they suggest and what they rarely used. Swap parties are a really great idea. If friends have babies that are slightly older or younger than yours, arrange to swap clothes with each other. Go ‘shopping’ at a girlfriend’s house for your baby’s new sized wardrobe and return the favour. Swap or lend maternity clothes once you do not want them anymore. When your baby is older, keep toys clean and stimulating by trading with all your friends once a month, or try a toy library which are increasing in recognition and are a brilliant idea.
Breastfeed!
Breastfeeding is the cheapest means to feed your baby. The health benefits are well-known, however from a monetary view point, making your baby’s milk yourself is the ultimate as it’s totally free.
Modern cloth nappies (MCNs) and wipes
Reusable nappies save money and the environment. Modern cloth nappies are a world away from old fashioned terry-towling squares that countless parents were subjected to when they were babies, made from renewable fabrics like bamboo. Now in marvellous colours and designs, they are more like disposables in fit and purpose.
Making use of cloth nappies and baby wipes for subsequent babies make it even cheaper. And hey, what’s one more load of washing every two or three days compared to buying a pack of disposable nappies every week? But if cloth is not your thing, try using a less expensive disposable nappy in the day-time when you are changing baby regularly, and saving the more absorbent/expensive nappies for night-time use.
Cook or make your own baby food
It could sound like difficult work, but it doesn’t have to be any more hassle than regular cooking. Cook up some extra vegetables with the family meal, then puree or mash the vegetables as baby requires. Spoon them into an ice-cube tray, pop on the lid, and you have a week’s worth of baby food in your freezer!
If you have any leftovers left after you have served dinner for the family, spoon into a little container and freeze. Your baby can eat a array of family meals without any additional effort or cost on your behalf.
Get Dad to make some toys
Make your own toys. Little babies like to grab an orange bag filled with loud paper. Crush up some newspaper and let them play with it. Pack a little Tupperware container with rice and tape shut to make a shaker. Fill a soft drink bottle with water and bits of coloured sponge and food colouring and watch them roll it around the floor for hours.
Make use of park - swing the days away.
Go to your local park, play on the swings, dabble at the beach, read a few books, have a picnic in your backyard. They are all free!