Blue Baby Bedding

Any new parent knows the pressure a new baby can put on the wallet. We all want the best for our new bundle of joy, and at the best price! Whether this is the first or last new addition to the family being frugal is often the key to being a good parent.

The new baby requires a lot of new things, from Diapers to strollers and everything in between. This can be a challenge and finding the best deal for the greatest bargain can be nothing short of a necessity.

Being a seasoned parent, and having done my time in the baby departments of every known store, I am an expert in frugal buying for baby. A baby on a budget does not have to be a baby in need! Read on for great must have baby buys for the first 3 months of your precious bundle’s life. This Top 10 Baby Items under $50 will have something you need.

1. Coming at number one on the needs list is of course diapering needs. This includes the diapers or pampers and wipes. In this age, few use cloth diapers so I will focus on disposable needs. I have found by far Huggies is the best bargain for the price. In the early months baby needs to be changes up to 12 times a day! Huggies are ultra absorbent and for the price, I would highly recommend this brand of disposable diapers. However, when it comes to the wipes, I would, unless your baby has sensitive skin, use store brand. Store brand come in at half the cost of name brand, and do the same thing! Cut cost on the wipes and go for the name brand diapers! You can learn more about Huggies at http://www.huggies.com/ and even enter some contest for free diapers!

2. Car seat. This is a must have to even make it home from the hospital! Wal-Mart has a great bargain on an Evenflow Discovery Car Seat, coming in at $49.99 this is the best value for the dollar. A trusted manufacturer, 3 point harness, with car seat base for easy installation I recommend this deal at Wal-Mart. One problem, it is such a bargain that Wal-Mart sells them quickly. If you cannot find the car seat at your Wal-Mart, find out what day the delivery of this item is on, and be there as soon as they hit the floor. This infant car seat is well worth the hassle of being the first in the door! For the price this is the infant seat to track down!

3. Stroller. Another absolute must have for the new parent. There are strollers in every brand, weight, style and color imaginable. They also come in every price range, from $40- $400 dollars. If you want a nice rugged daily use stroller, again, Wal-Mart has the deal for you. The Jeep Cherokee Sport Lightweight Stroller is the best bargain I have seen. This all-terrain stroller that folds with the flick of one hand comes in at only $49.99. Easy to clean with snack cup and juice box holder this stroller will suite your new baby until he weighs 35lbs, well into the second year for most children. In blue and pink this is a stroller deal you do not want to miss!

4. Feeding. Whether you breast or bottle feed is for you decide, clearly breast feeding is the most economical and healthy. If you choose to bottle feed I would go with the First years Soothie Bottle Start Set, which is available only online at Walmart.com for a price saving $14.95! The set includes 5 bottles with nipples in various sizes, 3 containers for storing formula, 1 bottle and nipple brush and an infant pacifier. You just cannot match this bargain! For the breast feeding mom Target has a can not beat battery or electric breast pump for $19.99! The Gentle Expression Pump 510-604 is a deal for the price.

5. Layette. For new baby you need one piece suits, night gowns, socks, bibs and blankets. I know the fancy outfits are cute, but if you’re going for economical and practical all you need are one piece cotton outfits and night gowns or blanket pajamas depending on the weather. Again, Walmart.com comes in the best online deals for the price. The Cute as Button set includes;
•Onesie
•Booties
•Hat
•Receiving blanket
•Bib
•Burp cloth
All these baby items in one set can be purchased for $23.00. In addition you may want to add the Child of Mine by Carters 4 piece gown and beanie set for $10.70 along with the Baby Connection 5 cotton Onesie set for $9.95. Add the Gerber flannel 5 piece receiving blanket set and you should be set for the first few months.

6. Bassinet- Again, Walmart.com comes in top of my list for this item. With a bassinet that coverts into a toy box after baby has outgrown it this is a deal you do not want to let slip past you! The Badger Basket 2-1 convertible bassinet with eyelet bedding is a find I was thrilled to run across this find while doing some baby shower shopping for a friend. Coming in at special online price of $49.95 this is the best deal I have found an item of this nature. Best of all, it grows with baby! Most, babies are out of a bassinet and into a full crib between 3-4 months. This is a great deal because you can keep using far past that initial stage! This is my Top recommend item on the Top 10 baby items under $50.00!

7. Health & Hygiene. The Deluxe Healthcare & Grooming Kit by Summer at Kmart is great buy for $19.99. This handy kit has everything you may need for baby. Complete 28 piece kit includes: Brush, Comb, Double Nail Clippers, Medicine syringe, Nasal aspirator, Digital thermometer, Forehead thermometer with case, Finger toothbrush with case, 6 emery boards, 5 alcohol swabs, Emergency information card, Pacifier medicine dispenser, Teether Gum massager, al in a stylish storage case. Add the Newborn to Toddler bath center by Summer, also at Kmart, which includes the only tub parents will need from infancy through toddler hood. Its four states grow with your child to make bath time easier. This tub also includes the unique Rite TempBaby Bath Shower for easy, clean rinsing. And you are ready to bath, and keep your new little bundle clean and healthy! Don’t forget to buy some Infant Tylenol, the best buy for results; you will need this in case of sudden fever.

8.Bouncer Seat. The Bright Star comfort and play Bouncer is my pick for this product. This bouncer with 3 positions, music, mobile, and soothing vibrator is the best buy at $24.99 at Target. Not something you must have, but this item will sure make with the new baby a bit easier for you and soothing for him.

9.Swing. The Baby Connection Top Open swing at Wal-Mart will do the trick to sooth baby and your wallet. At only $29.00 you cannot beat the price on this baby swing. Coming in second is Beginners Gentle Motion swing at Kmart for $39.00. Like the bouncer, the swing is a item that will help you and occupy baby.

10.On the go play yard. For these trips to grandmas or over nights I recommend the Baby Connections Funsport play yard. This handy device can be used as a bed, play yard and best of all it is portable. With easy set-up and fold and go you take this anywhere, from grandma’s house to the airport! Coming in at only $39.99 it is well worth the cost for the mobility it gives you and your new baby.

So, there you have the Top 10 Baby Items Under $50. This Top 10 Baby Item list could be called Top 10 Baby on a Budget Items! I hope this list has been helpful, for you and your baby. Being frugal does not have to mean no fun! You may want to print this list and have this Top 10 Baby Items under $50 with you when you go shopping. Good luck with your new baby and with finding deals!

Turtle Baby Bedding

Monkey Baby Bedding

Parents facing the daunting task of buying all of their own baby essentials and baby gear may feel overwhelmed at the amount of money they can spend on “necessities.” However, the real necessities can actually be bought for much less. Bargain shoppers can find great deals on car seats, cribs, and gear and get everything they need for a new baby for much less than the thousands of dollars high-priced baby department stores and boutiques would like you to spend.

The first key to getting your baby necessities cheap is to put your list of essential items together. Put down that list of “baby essentials” you got from the doctor's office literature or from the big-name baby store you visited when you first learned you were pregnant. This list has to do with the down and dirty basics.

Your new baby will need a place to sleep, and many parents will choose to buy a crib to serve as safe sleeping quarters. Baby cribs come in all price ranges, from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. They also come in different shapes, like the traditional rectangular crib or the fashionable round crib. Sometimes cribs can even be converted into toddler beds or full size beds when your baby outgrows her crib.

When you purchase a crib, keep a few things in mind. Your baby will only use a crib for about two or three years, maybe less, so it may not be economical for you to pay thousands of dollars for premium furniture. Furthermore, a higher priced crib does not necessarily mean a safer crib, which is really what is important. By typing in keywords like “clearance baby crib,” you will be able to find cheap cribs for under $200 at stores like Target. For instance, for under $140 you can buy a Simplicity Aspen 4-in-1 crib that converts to a day bed, a toddler bed, and a full-size bed as your baby grows, a great bargain. A crib mattress at Target can be purchased for as little as $60.

Once you have a crib, you will also need bedding. Skip the expensive crib sets that include quilts, bumpers, and dust ruffles. These items are not only costly, but they may may also contribute to SIDS. Your baby will only need a few fitted sheets, a mattress cover, and some receiving blankets, all of which can be purchased for about $50, leaving you with $250 to spend.

In addition, for most parents having a car seat to transport baby from the hospital and home is a necessity. If you plan to be out and about with your new baby, a stroller may also be in order. Buying a baby travel system might be the right choice for a good bargain and convenience, but travel systems can also be bulky. Some parents find that buying a car seat with a separate, cheap stroller frame works better and is lighter. Try out your travel system, car seat, and stroller at the store before deciding on which one is right for you.

Once you have your travel system or car seat and stroller picked out, take a look online for cheap deals and clearance items. Once again, Target has some great bargains. The Eurotrek Travel System, including the car seat and matching stroller, are under $140. Albeebaby.com has some bargains too, with the Cosco Eddie Bauer ITS Travel System priced for under $130 right now.

Depending upon whether you plan to breast or bottle feed, you may also need baby bottles. Baby bottles come in a variety of shapes, materials, and sizes. Keep in mind that while your newborn baby may only eat a few ounces at a time every few hours, in a few months your baby will be eating 6 to 8 ounces at a feeding and eating less frequently. One way to save money on buying baby bottles is to purchase one set of larger bottles now instead of buying two or three sets of different sizes.

Do your research regarding baby bottles ahead of time. If you prefer glass bottles, you can buy a set of six Classic Real Glass Bottles by Evenflo, with stage one nipples, cap rings, sealing disks, and nipple covers, for less than $20 at the Natural Baby Catalogue Company. Two sets of three 8-ounce Playtex Premium Designer Nursers (6 bottles, nipples, rings, and covers) are less than $30 at www.baby-wise.com.

With your crib and crib bedding purchased for $250, your car seat and stroller bought for $130, and your bottles bought for $30, you have spent $410 out of your $500 budget. You will still have $90 left in your budget to buy some footed sleepers and onesies to clothe your baby (two 3-packs of sleepers for about $20 and a 5-pack of onesies for about $10), diapers and baby wipes ($20), baby lotion and baby wash ($10), a baby grooming kit ($14), and wash cloth and towel ($15) (unless you plan to use ones you already own). If you plan to formula feed, expect to use your free samples from the doctor's office and hospital and then stock up later using coupons from the formula company of your choice by registering online. Again, if you shop smart, look for good bargains, and use coupons, you should easily be able to purchase all of these items within the $90 you have remaining.

In addition, you may get some items from the hospital where you deliver. Both my son and daughter were sent home with a pack of diapers (Pampers), diaper cream, and samples of baby wash. We also took home samples of formula. If you plan to exclusively breast feed, you can save money on both formula and bottles.

You may be wondering about other items that are sometimes billed as “essentials.” For instance, wipe warmers and bottle warmers are often advertised as necessary items for newborns. Neither are really essential. Warm the wipe in your hand, or use warm wash cloths to clean your newborn baby. Make your bottles with warm water when baby is ready to feed or make them ahead of time and warm them in a pan of hot water. If you must, keep a crock pot of hot water available on your countertop. No bottle warmer is necessary.

Your baby can be bathed in the kitchen sink or in your own bathtub without purchasing a separate baby tub. You may want to lay down a towel or mat at the bottom of the sink or in your tub to give your baby a comfortable place to get bathed without slipping.

Likewise, a sterilizer is unnecessary. Sterilize your bottles using your dishwasher, if you have one with a sterilizer cycle. Or simply boil water in a pot on your stove and sterilize your bottles there.

Pacifiers are another item that may or may not be necessary for your newborn. Some parents prefer to let their babies suck on fingers or a thumb, while others train their babies to use pacifiers. As is the case with all your purchases, your preference will prevail.

While your baby may not be as stylishly outfitted as some, with $500 you can buy all of the essentials you need to care for your new baby when she comes home. And unlike other new moms and dads, you will not be stuck paying off credit card debt for months or years while you are busy enjoying your baby.