There is just so much excitement in the air when you’re having a baby. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or third, having a new baby is a joyous and sometimes overwhelming occasion. In addition to choosing names and picking colors for the nursery, parents-to-be have a lot to prepare for.
Even if this isn’t your first baby, there are always must-haves to purchase. Babies need gear and that’s expensive, and then there’s the everyday necessities like diapers, wipes, and formula. You also never seem to have enough receiving blankets and onesies. Don’t worry, though, there are ways to save money when it comes to getting the things you need for your little one. So, let’s learn how to get free baby stuff.
How to get free baby stuff
Babies go through quite a bit of stuff on a daily basis, which makes it easy to get sticker shock when you look at the prices of diapers, wipes, and formula at your local supermarket. Then, there are the costs of clothes and gear babies can’t go without like car seats and strollers.
To keep the cost of having a baby down, it’s helpful to find cost-effective ways to save money. One budget-friendly way is to take advantage of some of the free ways to outfit your nursery and keep your baby in diapers. Here are some simple strategies to use to get free stuff for your little one.
Set up a baby registry
If you’re having a baby shower, you will need to set up a registry so your guests will know what you need. A little-known perk of setting up a baby registry with popular retailers is the freebies offered once you establish it. Target gives moms-to-be a free welcome kit once you set up your baby registry. The kit has a value of $100 and includes things you’ll need for baby. It also gives you access to deals during baby’s first year that can save you 20%. Target also offers parents a 15% discount on any items left on your registry after your shower.
So, be practical and set up multiple registries. It will help family and friends know what you need while at the same time giving you coupons and access to freebies. Take the time to read the baby registry guidelines. You might pick up more money-saving options and access to other freebies. BuyBuy Baby, Amazon, and Walmart are perfect pics for baby registries, too.
Family and friends
Baby clothes are adorable but pricey. Little ones also don’t wear things for very long before they outgrow them. That is what makes sharing clothing such a smart idea. Don’t think of baby clothes from family members and friends as hand-me-downs. Free baby clothing in great shape is a money-saver to take advantage of. Don’t say no to baby blankets, either. Newborns go through a lot of these.
Check with friends and family for other much-needed baby gear like strollers, highchairs, cribs, and play yards. Before taking free baby gear, though, be sure to check to see whether it has been recalled. Car seats do have expiration dates. So, if your sister is giving you a free car seat, make sure it’s safe before installing it.
Ask for formula samples
If you’re going to be using formula for your little one, it’s expensive. Before you even leave the hospital, ask for free formula. Many times, you’ll be able to go home from the hospital with a diaper bag full of formula. When you take your little one to the pediatrician, ask for formula samples. Doctor offices often have free formula to give to patients.
Other ways to get free formula is to sign up for rewards programs. Enfamil offers its customers free samples, cash or digital rebates, rewards, and the chance to win free formula for a year. Gerber has money-saving offers for members as does Similac. Even if you can’t get free formula, those coupons will really come in handy.
Join a diapers rewards program
Diapers are pricey and a necessity. It’s also a baby item you will go through a lot of. So, be frugal from the start. Collect and use those coupons. Signing up for diaper rewards programs is another way to save money and get free diapers. Pampers offers a rewards program where you can earn free diapers. Huggies’ popular rewards program ended in March, but keep an eye on the company’s website to see when the new one launches. Luvs’ rewards program gives you access to coupons and deals.
National Diaper Bank Network
If you are really struggling to provide your baby with diapers, reach out to the National Diaper Bank Network. By calling 211, parents can get diaper assistance in their area. The National Diaper Bank Network also helps families gain access to wipes and other baby necessities. National Diaper Bank volunteers are available 24/7 to connect parents with the help they need.
Local food pantries
With the cost of living constantly on the rise, many families use local food pantries. Pantries try to keep a steady stock of diapers and wipes on their shelves, too. So, if you are in need of a diaper supply, check with your local pantry or church.
Check out yard sales and thrift shops
If family and friends don’t have any used baby gear or clothing to offer, keep your eye out for yard sales in your area. You can sometimes score inexpensive finds at a yard sale. Thrift shops are another resource for used baby clothing and gear. Many thrift shops often hold dollar sales for baby clothes. If you’re looking for something specific, like a changing table, head to Facebook Marketplace. You might get lucky and find something for a great price. Just remember when purchasing any used baby gear to first check for safety recalls.
A baby shower
Baby showers are a fabulous way to get a whole host of baby items you need for your little one, especially diapers. Diapers and wipes may not be adorable, but they are much-needed baby essentials. Every time parents open a new box of gifted diapers, they will be extremely thankful.
Coupons
While coupons may not be giving you freebies, they do save you money. So, use all the paper and digital coupons you can for baby items. Check online baby outlets for digital coupons, too, which might give you access to the occasional freebie. Try apps like the Coupons App and Coupon Cabin for money-saving coupons and deals.
It’s pretty easy to get sticker shock shopping for anything these days, but babies have always been expensive. They’re absolutely adorable, but they require a lot of pricey gear and that’s without the formula, diapers, and wipes. With these money-saving tips, you can learn how to get free baby stuff, discounts, and deals. So, clip those coupons, sign up for baby rewards programs, and accept the offer of used baby clothes. Doing just those simple things can keep the family budget from taking a huge hit.
