Finding out that you are having a baby is an exciting time and one of the most enjoyable parts of pregnancy for me was the nesting and preparing. I loved sorting out the baby's room and organising all their little clothes. It can be expensive though, especially with the current cost of living crisis and the thought of impending maternity pay. You don't need to worry though, here are some suggestions on how to fill your baby's wardrobe on a budget.
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Consider pre-loved
Pre-loved clothing is a great way to save money. If your friends or family have had a baby recently you can see if they have any baby clothes that they would be happy to pass on. During the first year babies grow so quickly that they will often grow out of an outfit before it has been worn much so other mums are usually glad of passing on clothes so as to make some space for the next size up.
You can also buy pre-loved items online on sites such as Vinted or eBay. Often buying a bundle of clothes in an age range - e.g. 0-3 months works out very cost effective.
You can also have a browse of local charity shops and car boot sales for bargains. Quite often I have discovered a little gem here and there - especially if you shop in charity shops and car boot sales in more affluent towns.
Use a discount code
If you want to buy new, don't pay full price unless you can help it! Look for discount codes. This is a great way of buying those bigger ticket items for a discounted price, and getting some pieces from brands that you love. Mamas and Papas was one of my favourite baby stores and you can usually find a Mamas and Papas discount code online. You can also sign up to brand's newsletters and they will often send you a welcome discount code. If you don't want to continue to receive the emails, simply unsubscribe.
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Shop in the sales
Having four children can be expensive clothes wise so I always make sure to do a good shop for the next season's clothes or the next size up. This way I am always ahead of myself and have clothes ready for when they need to grow into them or the weather changes. It also means that I have paid probably half price for most of the items.
Buy less and better quality
Babies can get through several outfit changes a day but that still doesn't mean that they need loads and loads of clothes. A couple of nice outfits for occasions, a coat / pramsuit and a bunch of vests, socks and babygros are really all you need. Trust me, those baby trainers are super cute but you won't use them! If you are planning on having more children I would definitely buy better quality items, as then you can save them to pass down to future siblings, or even other family members. It is much better to have fewer, nicer things than lots of cheaply made rubbish that has been produced unethically and is made with unnatural fibres.
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