14 Easy Ways to Save Money When You Have a Baby

"Make an arrangement with a friend whose kid is only a little older than yours. Every time their child grows out of one size of clothes, they can pass it on to you!" — Megan, mom of two, Allentown, Pennsylvania

"Resist the urge to buy clothes in newborn sizes. Buy clothes in sizes 9-12 months and beyond. Everyone and their literal mother will gift [you] newborn clothes and — except for the odd event-specific cardigan or newsboy cap to really round out the wardrobe. But as the months go by and the little one grows and the gifts grow fewer and further between, you'll be pleased that you already stocked up on clothes in larger sizes." — Josh, dad of one, Chicago, Illinois

"Sign up for Amazon Subscribe & Save, which offers 20 percent off diapers/wipes/baby goods. It's such a saver, and everything is delivered to your door so you don't have to worry about running to the shops when you're running low on goods." — Jeff, dad of two, Boston, Massachusetts

"As a mom of two children in day care concurrently, we feel a strain financially, so we look for any savings we can get. I always tell new parents to inquire about sibling discounts, as well as competitor pricing/discounts. A lot of the time, day cares will not be upfront about these savings, but if you ask they will certainly honour them. Another thing to consider is reasonable negotiations; many day cares are open to negotiating tuition costs even though it may not always seem that way. Moral of the story: If you aren't afraid to ask, you could save yourself a decent amount on a high-ticket day care bill!" — Monica, mom of two, East Brunswick, New Jersey

"Keep all of the tags on/keep items in their packageing after your baby shower, and open things as you need them once baby arrives. You'll determine pretty quickly what works for you, what you love, and what you can easily live without, so this way you can return your unused items and buy diapers, wipes or other items you decide you need." — Katie, mom of two, Richmond, Virginia

"This wasn't available to me — or at least that I know of — when my boys were born, but now the Affordable Care Act requires most health plans to cover the cost of breastfeeding support and equipment for nursing moms. This is a big deal, because these items are so pricey. Definitely something to take advantage of!" — Kelly, mom of two, Los Angeles, California

Related:
Setting Up a Family Budget
Your Complete Guide to Getting Discounted or Free Baby Stuff
What Pregnancy Really Costs

"If your baby is on formula, check with the pediatrician's office to see if they have samples for you. They often do and this can be a huge savings — especially if your baby is on a special type." — Megan, mom of two, New Haven, Connecticut

"Make your own baby food. It's a huge money-saver — and it's healthier, too! I steamed and pureed first foods, like sweet potatoes and squash, and fruits like pears and apples, poured them into silicone ice cube trays, froze them, popped them out, and had them ready to go at a moment's notice. I also used them as mix-ins with oatmeal. I received a baby food steamer as a shower gift and was grateful for it — the steaming and the pureeing was all-in-one — but it's pretty easy to do with a stove-top steamer and a food processor, too. For baby food on-the-go, I used reusable, recyclable pouches, and small glass jars." — Alyssa, mom of two, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire

"Don't feel like you need a two-bedroom apartment. We started off in a one bed and Jack got a baby nook in the bedroom. Saved lots of money. Upgraded to a two-bed when he was 2." — Christine, mom of one, Riverdale, New Jersey