Preparing for a Newborn

 New parents should stock up on staple items such as undershirts or ‘onesies,' nightgowns and stretchy sleepers. If available, try to find clothes that that feature zippers, as they can be easier to put on than snaps or buttons. Depending on the season, your little one might also need a snowsuit, hats or sweaters to keep them warm. Some babies may need little mittens as well to prevent them from scratching their faces when their nails grow long. To conserve money, remember that clothes can be easily obtained as hand-me-downs from other parents. Babies grow quickly and many parents prefer to recycle old items rather than dispose of them.

 For your baby's sleep, their crib will need large cotton blankets for warmth and comfort. Receiving blankets are also a great resource to have on hand for quick and easy dressing. When feeding, it can be useful to have bibs, burp cloths, and a nursing pillow. Lots of new mothers also decide to invest in nursing bras, breast pads, and lotion for sore nipples. Depending on how you choose to feed your baby, you may need milk storage containers and a breast pump as well. If you have chosen formula feeding instead, it's good to have your formulas well researched and purchased before your bring your little one home. Once you've chosen the right formula for you, don't forget to look for ways to get free baby formula online. You'll find that many brands offer free samples and coupons. It's also helpful to carry a variety of bottle sizes for different serving volumes.

 Diapers are one of the biggest needs for new babies. It's important to always have the correct size of diapers on hand. New parents can also look into cloth diapering as an alternative to traditional diapers. Aside from diapers, you'll need waterproof covers as well. Once you have these items, setting up a changing station on a counter or desk is certainly useful. Ensure you have a changing pad, diapers, a diaper pail, baby ointment, and disposable wipes within arm's reach of the changing station.

 The bathroom is also another place where you'll need to stock up on supplies. In order to wash your baby, an infant tub may be necessary. Other parents choose to use a large dishpan in the sink, while others simply climb into the bath with their baby. Babies have soft skin and fragile hair, so invest in gentle baby soap or cleaner, as well as soft towels for after the bath. Many parents also stock up their medicine cabinet with a baby thermometer, eyedropper, and nail clippers.

 It's easy to spend a lot of money preparing for your new baby. So make sure to investigate different ways to get free baby stuff and discover different ways of saving. Do your research so that you can make sure to spend your money on the things that really count.