There are so many things to think about when you’re pregnant: eating healthy, exercising, choosing baby names, getting the nursery ready…it can be a bit overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. However, when it comes to buying items for yourself and your baby, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are some tips and tricks on buying the right maternity and baby products on a budget:

Pregnancy/Parenting Books

Now’s the time to start stocking up on pregnancy books! There are so many pregnancy and parenting books out there, so start with the basics: What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need to Know From America's Baby Experts, by William and Martha Sears, are two classics that many moms will recommend. Then, add to your pregnancy library with books that interest you and fit with your parenting goals.

Budget tip: If you buy gently used books you’ll save even more. Purchase online at Amazon.com or head to your local used bookstore.

Maternity Clothing & Lingerie

If you shop wisely for maternity clothing and lingerie, you’ll find you can really stretch your budget. First, avoid buying pieces that are too trendy. While a leopard-print maternity dress is super stylish, it’s better for your budget to pick solid colors. You’ll be able to mix and match numerous outfits with a few key pieces. Instead of buying trendy maternity clothing, add pizzazz to your outfits with accessories like colorful scarves and jewelry, which can be used after your pregnancy too!

Also, take inventory of what you already have in your closet before you buy maternity clothing. You may be surprised at the suitable “maternity” apparel you already own. Often, t-shirts, sweaters and skirts or pants with looser waistbands can be worn well into your second trimester.

Rather than heading to your local maternity boutique, shop online for apparel. This allows you to comparison shop at a number of different retailers, and many offer free shipping. Also, check popular online maternity stores such as Thyme Maternity for seasonal bargains and money-saving coupons.

Maternity Clothing Checklist:

• A quality pair of maternity jeans.
• Comfortable, stretchy tops in a few different colors.
• Drawstring or stretch pants. These can be used throughout your entire pregnancy and postpartum.
• Support hose. These can reduce the occurrence of varicose veins, a common pregnancy complaint.
• Comfortable shoes.
• A maternity swimsuit. Swimming is a wonderful pregnancy exercise, and you can always use your suit for mom and baby swim sessions afterwards.
• Nursing bras and comfy cotton underwear. Your breasts can grow up to a cup size during pregnancy, so make sure you get properly-fitting undergarments.

Target has the Liz Lange line of maternity clothing at low prices, while Kohl’s stocks lots of cute gear for moms-to-be.

Body Pillow

As your belly expands, you may find that you have trouble sleeping. A body pillow can help you get a good night’s sleep. At $69.99, the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow is pricey, but it gets rave reviews from pregnant women everywhere. Cheaper options include their Sleeper Keeper option at $29.99, or the Sealy Maternity & Nursing Pillow for $40 at Walmart.

Feeding Supplies

Prepare for baby’s arrival by getting your feeding supplies organized:

• Nipple cream for sore nipples
• Nursing pads
• Bottles and nipples
• Spit-up cloths (can use receiving blankets)


Baby Items Buying Guide

Fortunately for busy parents-to-be, there is a huge selection of baby items available on the internet, so you can easily find everything you need online. Because of the fierce competition among retailers, you can enjoy incredibly low prices on everything from diapers to swings. Shop on sites like Diapers.com for low prices and coupon codes to save you even more at checkout. Also, don’t forget about big retailers like Target and Walmart – they have large baby sections stocked with all the top baby brands for less.

Nursery Decor

There’s so much cute nursery stuff out there, but remember to stick to needs, not wants – unless you have an unlimited budget, that is! Buy the items your baby needs first, and then decorate with money that’s leftover, not the other way around.

If you stay away from expensive infant knick-knacks and use your imagination when you’re decorating the nursery, you shouldn’t have to spend much to create a cozy space for your baby. Pick up some paint and do the walls in a cheerful color or tackle a do-it-yourself stenciling project – you can find cute stencils such as butterflies, moon and stars, and balloons online for under $20.

Then, add one or two details to complete the look: a teddy bear on the changing table, framed photos of you and your baby on the wall, or a metal bucket from the dollar store filled with pink or blue silk flowers on the windowsill…get creative!

Nursery Furniture

Lots of parents-to-be put off furnishing the nursery until late in the pregnancy, but the earlier you shop, the more prepared you’ll be! Buy the baby furniture you need and put it together as soon as possible. You’ll be thankful if baby comes early, or if you don’t feel well later in your pregnancy.

Nursery furniture checklist:

• Crib or bassinette and mattress. Consider buying a crib that turns into a bed, such as the Graco Sarah Classic 4-in-1 Convertible Bed. You’ll pay around $170 and get both a crib and a toddler bed. Soft bedding increases your baby’s risk of SIDS, so keep pillows and fluffy comforters out.
• Baby bedding: 3 fitted crib sheets, 5 lightweight blankets, 1 heavier blanket (if needed).
• Changing table. You can find a new, high quality changing table for under $75. Or, spend a little more and buy a changing table/dresser combo like the South Shore ($149).
• Rocking or gliding chair. Most moms will tell you that a rocking or gliding chair is worth its weight in gold when you’re sitting up for 3am feedings! Depending on how deluxe you want your rocker or glider chair to be, you can spend anywhere from $100 to $500.

Baby Clothing

Babies do require a lot of clothing, but don’t blow your budget on booties in five colors or an adorable newborn tuxedo that baby will wear once. Here are newborn baby clothing basics:

• 5-10 onesies
• 1 seasonal baby outfit – either a swimsuit or a snowsuit
• 5-10 bibs
• 5-10 baby sleepers
• 1-3 newborn hats
• 5-10 receiving blankets
• Disposable or cloth diapers, baby wipes and diaper cream

Baby On-the-Go Gear

Chances are you’ll be itching to get outside for some fresh air with your baby as soon as you can. A simple stroll around the neighborhood or a short car trip to a friend’s house can be just what you need after nine months of pregnancy and a few days of hospital food! Remember, you don’t need a fancy stroller or car seat to keep your infant safe and happy. Take the time to shop around and find a well-made but affordable item.

• Stroller. You can spend a little or a lot when it comes to a stroller: from under $50 to over $1,000. Consider what types of activities you want to do with your baby before you buy. There are running strollers like the InStep Safari for $189, double strollers for parents of more than one child like the Chicco Cortina for $359, and travel systems for parents on the go like the Graco Alano at $289.
• Car seat. Be wary of buying used car seats as the safety guidelines change every 5-10 years. To save cash, opt for a convertible car seat - it can be used for infants to face the rear of the vehicle, and for toddlers to face the front of the car.

Baby Bath Stuff

• Package of baby washcloths
• Baby nail clippers
• Baby wash and shampoo

Once you’ve bought the basics, you may want to get a few extras that aren’t on the list. This includes items like a baby monitor, a baby sling and a baby swing. While these aren’t considered must-haves, they will make your life easier.