A Crunchy Mom’s Baby List

Introduction

If you’re expecting your first or second baby and want to avoid going overboard or have a tighter budget but are unsure what you want to buy, this post is for you. When it came to shopping for my second, I knew I wanted to save money while trying my best to use only organic or stay away from all the chemicals they put in baby products.

After figuring out what we would need and all the extras that we loved the first time, I started looking at the best way to save some money. However, I also knew some stuff I would spend a little extra on for quality. Now that I’m getting ready to pop anytime, I decided it was time to share what I did this time, hoping it would help others when shopping for their newborn or at least give them a better idea of what they wanted to get.

All baby products

When looking at everything you need to buy for your new little bundle of joy, you probably ask yourself, “How can someone so small need so much?” All new parents think the same thing. The list of things gets overwhelming, but don’t worry; you don’t need a whole nursery set up immediately. They will most likely stay in your room in the beginning anyway. There are a few things you absolutely need right away; here is what I decided to get for my secondborn when trying to save money and limit the number of things I got.

Diapers

Obviously, you will need some diapers. After looking at the organic or completely chemical-free options, I almost had a panic attack; the cost was outrageous, especially since it was something for my baby to potty in and get thrown away! After a lot of research, I decided to give cloth diapering a try. Thankfully, they actually have quite a few different options and styles to choose from. I couldn’t say no to the savings, even if it meant more laundry.

Here are the two brands I decided to try if you would like to try them. Note that if you use cloth diapers, your laundry detergent and diaper rash cream must be compatible with cloth diapering. Green Mountian Diapers (linked below) has a whole learning page to help answer questions about getting started.

Baby Wipes

Another must-have is baby wipes. If your husband is like mine, you will go through some wipes, haha. Again, chemical-free ones are so expensive. The more I look at the prices of things, the more I become a crunchy mom and will save money by making my own wipes. I found a box of dry disposable wipes on Amazon and 4 reusable containers for about half the price. To keep it simple, I will just use distilled water for them. I like these wipes and reusable containers if you are interested in doing the same.

Car Seat

A car seat is something you absolutely need, for obvious reasons, but they also won’t let you leave the hospital without one. There are so many options out there that are really cool, but something we didn’t consider last time is that they really don’t fit in your average vehicle that well. The ones you can carry your little one in are really nice, but this time, I decided against one. Here’s why.

First, we had to get a new one before my firstborn was a year old because she outgrew it. Honestly, when grocery shopping with my first, I would take her out and put her in her carrier because the car seat would take up a whole shopping cart.

What did I end up getting? An all-in-one car seat seemed the most affordable to me. Purchase one time and be done. I picked the Diono Radian 3RXT. This brand will fit three across and fits so much better in the back of our vehicles. It also has a steel frame. The only downside is that you must take the baby out of the car seat to do something. But it’s totally worth it in my mind not having to worry about buying another one.

Stroller

Since I decided to get an all-in-one car seat, I knew my stroller selection was important, but man, have you seen the prices of nice strollers, especially something that could go off-road around the ranch? They are insane. Finding a baby store that sold lightly used items was definitely my savior. I found a nice stroller for less than half price and in great shape. I seriously recommend seeing if there is a store like this in your area.

Formula

Even if you are planning to breastfeed your baby, having some formula on hand to be safe is best. We all know that things don’t always work out as planned, so be prepared. Finding a good formula is frustrating; I can’t just go to the store and find something without all the horrible ingredients. I think Bobby is the best organic brand in the USA, but I’m still not totally sold on them personally. I decided to get a European Brand since they are more strict about formula ingredients. I have also decided the goat milk formulas have better recipes.

Yes, this is somewhere spending the extra seems worth it. I decided to order formulas from Organics Best. They have a large variety and the best price for the formula I picked. The shipping was really fast, which is a plus!

Bottles

Another good thing to have on hand is some bottles, for the same reasons as the formula. Having too many options is almost a bad thing. After changing the kind we had so many times the first go around, I suggest getting just a few of a couple of different brands and seeing what you like best before getting a huge amount of just one brand. Boon Nursh silicone bottles are the ones I’m going to try this time. We only purchased the three-pack because we can always get more if we like them.

Clothes / Shoes

Clothes are definitely something I would get from a thrift store or a baby store that sells lightly used things at a cheap price. They can always be washed, and babies will outgrow them quickly in the first year of life. I wouldn’t go overboard on how many out-fits you buy; clothes seem to be something that gets gifted more than anything else. Expensive fancy shoes are a waste of money; your baby can’t walk. If you really want some for them to look cute when you’re out, you will most likely get some gifted to you. If you don’t, getting some that are used is a good option since the used ones will be basically new and never walked in.

Pacifiers

Everyone has a different opinion on pacifiers. If you decide to use them, get a few different kinds to see which your baby likes best before getting too many. Also, their shape should be considered to prevent dental problems later. We only use them because they are easier to take away later than a thumb. These are just my thoughts on when it comes time to cut them off. The Pacii is priced nicely and has a good shape with a good feel.

Swing

The only reason I’m getting a swing this time is that it was a lifesaver the first time. I would look into a used one if you’re getting a swing. You can always wash the seat. Again, a store that sells lightly used baby items could be your new favorite place. I will say that with my firstborn, I bought the fancy momma-roo swing, and she hated it. I won’t recommend one. After switching to an actual swing, she was perfectly happy in it.

Bouncer Seat

I got this for convenience. They don’t take up much room and can easily go with you. When cooking or visiting with friends, having a little bouncer seat for the baby to hang out in was nice. When I went out and was doing something like working cows or riding a horse, I could put it somewhere safe, let her hang out, and not have to be in her car seat. It was really nice for both of us.

Carrier / Baby-wearing

Being a ranching mama who’s always on the go, I couldn’t live without a carrier. If you plan to baby-wear all the time, getting a good carrier is a must. It isn’t especially important when babies are first born, but when they get a little heavier, your back will thank you for getting a better one. After my third try, I was happy to find the LILLEbaby complete all seasons. It has a shade from the sun and also a mesh to let your baby breathe when it’s hot. It will also carry a newborn to a toddler, making it so you won’t have to get another one.

Pack N Play

I decided on a pack-n-play instead of a bassinet. Not only does it fold up for traveling and storage convenience, but your baby will most likely not use a crib for a while anyway unless it’s in your room. Why not just get a bassinet? The pack-n-play I decided on is a 5 in 1; it has a higher setting for when they are new, and the side will drop down for putting it next to your bed. It also has a changing table attachment, having all the features made it more worth it, and you can always keep using it when the baby gets older as a playpen or traveling bed.

When using the bassinet setting the bottom of the pack-n-play works great for extra storage, haha.

Baby Lounger

This was gifted to me with my firstborn and was really nice in the early days. I could easily have a nice spot for her anywhere. She would nap while I cooked or folded clothes or even take it with me to let family members use it while babysitting for a few hours. It was not something I needed, but I really enjoyed it with my first. Your newborn will sleep really well in one if you decide to get one.

Let’s not forget about Mom!

Pumping?

If you’re planning on pumping, I wouldn’t go out and buy the really fancy pump. I bought a fancy one the first time and did not like it completely. Another reason I wouldn’t go all out at first is just in case you end up having to formula feed for some reason.

Regarding the style of pump, the wearable ones that fit inside your bra are really convenient. You can be doing housework or out shopping or driving and pumping at the same time; no one will even know. I saved money this time by getting one from someone I know used. It’s just something to think about before spending a lot on one, can always upgrade or get one after you know. Some moms also like to strickly pump, so I recommend a wearable one if you plan to go that route.

Nursing Pads

If you are breastfeeding, you will need pads for when you leak. Organic reusable ones will save you money; just wash them when they get dirty. This will prevent you from having to buy them continuously.

Nipple Cream

Nipple cream will be so nice in the early days; your girls will thank you. However, most nipple cream must be washed off before feeding or pumping. Earth Mama Organic was my favorite the first time around, and it is safer for your little one. It really helps soothe and moisten when you get sore and chapped.

Support Belt

A postpartum support belt saved me the first time. Not only does it help you get back to your before-baby shape, but it also helps hold your organs in place right after birth. Having one will also make you feel a little more yourself right afterward and better about your body. It’s the little things that really make a difference when postpartum.

Conclusion

This is a broad overview of the main things you might want to consider when shopping for a new family member. There will be a few other things you will need that aren’t mentioned, such as diaper rash cream, nursing cover, and diaper bag. This is a good starting point for products and gives you some ideas on saving money while deciding what’s important to spend a little extra on.

Another thing that helps is making a list and putting it in order of the most important first. Work your way down over the course of your pregnancy so that if you end up having them come early, you have the must-haves at least. Is saving money on baby products important to you?