The arrival of a baby is a time for joy and celebration, but it can be financially demanding for the parents. Earlier, most babies were dressed in hand-me-downs, and this helped parents save on buying clothes, and invest the money elsewhere. Today, there are brands that sell different kinds of clothes, from bibs to fancy dresses or even tuxes! An infant grows at a fast rate, and is likely to outgrow his clothes in a matter of weeks or months, depending on his age. Buying expensive clothes every month can be a huge financial strain. In such a situation, it is wise to set a budget for the baby’s clothes, particularly those that are used often, and at home.

Set a Budget

In order to know what they can and cannot buy, parents should set themselves a budget for baby clothes and other gear. Setting a monthly or quarterly budget for this purpose will help the parents figure out exactly how much they can afford to spend on the child’s clothes, and prioritise accordingly.

How Much is Enough?

Some new parents go overboard and shop for dozens of clothes for their new baby. The baby then ends up wearing each of them only a couple of times, and needing a new set once he grows. For the first few months, or even the first year, most babies just eat, sleep and play. They do not need too many sets of clothes. Buying about 10 sets for each stage of growth will suffice.

Discounted Merchandise

Many brands offer discounts to customers who buy in bulk. A quick look around the store will help parents find that clothes are cheaper in sets of two or three. Small savings on every purchase like this can add up to a substantial amount in the long run. Post-season sales are also a very good source of cheap clothes. Parents can estimate what the size of their baby may be in a few months, and buy clothes of those sizes. While buying items on sale, however, it is important to consider: Is the piece of clothing absolutely essential? Is the parent buying it because it’s necessary, or because it’s just cheaper?

Buy Second-Hand

A lot of parents baulk at the idea of buying second-hand clothes for their baby. However, there are sales where the parents can buy clothes that have been owned by others, but never used. At baby showers, for instance, the practice is to give the mother-to-be clothes for her baby. In many cases, these clothes are never used, and then sold in mint condition as second-hand goods. Yard sales or small markets may have a stock of such clothing, so keeping an eye out for advertisements or announcements can help save a lot of money.

Other Tips

There are several other ways to save on baby gear. Buying cloth nappies not only saves a lot of money (cloth nappies can be washed and reused for months) but also is better for the environment. Gadgets are not always necessary – parents can always ask their friends who’ve used them, about whether they are essential, or if the baby can do without them. In some cases, they can even be bought second-hand. The parents can also tell friends and family that they don’t mind using hand-me-downs, or circulate a list of items needed along with the birth announcement. Sending out a gift wishlist saves the parents’ money and also helps friends and family pick out a gift that is truly useful and valued.

Trevor Richards writes for Accessoryo (www.accessoryo.com), UK retailers of childrens fashion accessories.

Trevor Richards writes for Accessoryo (http://www.accessoryo.com), UK retailers of childrens fashion accessories.

Author Bio: Trevor Richards writes for Accessoryo (www.accessoryo.com), UK retailers of childrens fashion accessories.

Category: Advice
Keywords: fashion, children, baby, clothing, retail, newborn, style, clothes, shopping