Saturday, August 06, 2005

Buying Baby Clothes at a Discount

Dressing your little darling doesn’t have to cost a fortune


It is no secret that having and providing for a new baby is an expensive job. With the expense of those all-important early doctor’s visits, necessary items for the nursery, and the rising prices of formula, diapers, and various infant accessories, it seems a wonder that anyone can afford to reproduce anymore. While it’s difficult to argue in favor of cutting corners when it comes to your baby, there are a few ways that you can save money on some of your baby related purchases. Baby clothes and layette needs are fortunately one area where you can afford to save a few bucks without diminishing the level of comfort and care that your little Nick or Jessica receives.

Secondhand Baby Clothes

This is a sore spot for some parents and not without good reason. The thought of putting “used” clothing on your baby can come with numerous unspoken horrors and various levels of mental anguish. After all, how do you know where that used Onesie has been? Fortunately, concerned parents can rest their minds easily and put aside the fears associated with purchasing secondhand baby wear by following a few bits of common sense. Used infant attire should only be purchased from a reputable source. A thrift store like those run by the Salvation Army or a good secondhand store that specializes in baby goods (Other Mothers is a particularly good chain in the Western United States) can be considered safe sources since they make a point of sterilizing such items before offering them for resale. Avoid purchasing any items for a baby from a garage sale or “flea market” unless you know the seller personally and even then do so with caution. Any secondhand baby items you do obtain – even those given to you by friends or family members – should be washed thoroughly before you ever put them on your child.

Shopping Online

The internet has been doing wonders for people’s wallets for years. In almost every case items that you can purchase in a local store can be found online for less. Baby clothes are no exception and there are literally hundreds of e-commerce web sites that will be more than happy to sell you everything you need for your baby’s layette and wardrobe at a considerable savings compared to what you’ll pay at the local Babies ‘R’ Us store. In addition to baby clothing, almost every other conceivable baby need can be met online for less. In many cases you can get free shipping as well. The web won’t save you from the occasional midnight run to the local 24 hour grocer or Wal-Mart for emergency diapers or formula, but it’s a veritable hero in most other regards.

Other options for saving money on baby clothes and accessories do exist, and most are fairly common sense approaches. Buying infant wear from Kmart, Target or Wal-Mart is certainly going to cost you less than shopping at Dillards, JC Penney, or Sak’s, for example, as will choosing off brand or no-name items instead of Baby Dior and Weebok’s. Babies cost enough money as it is, there’s no reason not to put a little green back in your pocket now by saving on baby clothes when you know you’ll be shelling it out for braces and piano lessons later in life.




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Thursday, August 04, 2005

Budget Baby Layettes

Getting what you need for your newborn without going broke

It’s been said time and again that babies cost a pretty penny. Although little Brad or Jennifer won’t hop out of the birth canal and start demanding servants and expensive electronic gadgets, they do represent some additional expenses that can be wallet-draining when considered all at once. Fortunately the expenses do not have to be incurred all at once – even an unplanned pregnancy allots nine months to plan and gradually deal with the expenses associated with procreation. There are several steps that expectant parents can take to help cut down on some of the major expenses that are expected.

Baby Showers

A baby shower is a time honored tradition in which expectant mothers get a bunch of free stuff from their friends and family members. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to take advantage of this situation. A decent shower can often cover most of the immediate baby layette needs. Usually someone will offer to hold a shower for the expectant mom, but she shouldn’t be afraid to drop hints to close friends and family or even come right out and ask for a shower.

Buy Diapers in Advance

When is the best time to start buying diapers and other such essentials? The moment after conception would be ideal, but since most women don’t know that they’re expecting until weeks or even months later, you may have to settle for “as soon as you find out.” Start adding diapers to your regular shopping list and try to pick up one or two packages each week. Varying between size one and two is a good idea, with perhaps a pack or two of the newborn size. If you have a bigger baby you don’t want to be stuck with lots of newborn size diapers that you’ll never use. If the baby is “normal” size it is easy to buy newborn sizes while you need them and rest easy in the knowledge that you’re already stocked up on the next sizes up. A lower cost alternative to this is to use a cloth diaper service if you can find one still in operation in your area.

Get Help & Buy Used Whenever Possible

For large baby needs like cribs, playpens, and strollers, try and get the help of family members with these purchases. Proud grandparents to be are usually more than happy to help with items like these. A lot of money can be saved by purchasing these items second-hand as well. If a used crib, stroller, or playpen is in good condition, there is no reason not to buy it over a new one. The only item you probably don’t want to buy used is a car seat. These items must meet safety requirements and there is no way to be sure that a used one measures up to current standards.

A little planning and thinking ahead is all it takes to save serious money on most of your initial and ongoing baby needs. They real key to setting up your baby layette on a budget is to start as soon as possible.





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Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Black Tie Baby Occasions

Bib optional…

There is almost nothing that new parents enjoy more than taking advantage of the opportunity to get their babies all dressed up in the cutest and most endearing outfits that they can find and bring them out in public for the entire world to gaze upon and coo at. So, when a formal family event comes up while their infant is still in his or her infancy, the parents must jump at the chance to get little John or Christina dressed to the nines and out into public view to allow the cooing to commence.

Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, Christenings, Baptisms, and Cousin Jane’s first Holy Communion are good examples of the type of events that will provide and excuse to get the baby all dolled up in a pint-sized tuxedo or evening gown. No matter what finery the parents may have adorned their baby in previously, nothing will compare to the sight of their little man in a tux or their precious little lady in a gown.

Tuxedos for baby boys and young children are available from a number of sources as the formal kiddie clothiers of the world must surely have worked overtime to assure the availability of these items. Some rental shops may carry them, but in many cases these are a must-buy item. Tux styles range from vest & pant sets to full on dinner jacket combos and the ever so cute “short” tuxedo. Prices to buy these classy items start at about $60.00 for infants’ sizes and go to $90.00 for a young man’s size 8 to 14.

For the precocious little ladies we can find all manner of delightful dresses and gowns that are designed to look just like their big-girl counterparts. Particularly adorable are the floral sleeveless dresses and gowns favored by flower girls and debutants the world over. The prices for these can vary wildly based upon the size, the material, the designer and other factors, but parents should be prepared to pay at least $60.00 for a dress like this in an infant size.

If the cost for infantile formal wear sounds steep to you, it probably is. $60.00 or more is a lot to spend on a garment that anyone is only going to wear once. If dressing up your babies in this sort of garb is not your cup of tea, there’s certainly no one forcing you to do so and there are plenty of lower priced options that can make your babies look incredibly cute and generate their fair share of cooing and fluttering hearts from family and friends. If you have the means and the opportunity, however many parents will tell you that the expense of the formal wear that their baby only wore one time was well worth it just for the reactions of those around them and the photographs that will last forever.



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Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

Baby's first Nike's may be absolutely adorable, but are they necessary? According to most experts - and not just modern ones but for at least the last thirty years - babies don't need shoes till they're up and walking around. Even at that point, it's good for the little tikes to get in lots of barefoot time so they get used to their balance and how their little toesies work.

Still, by the time they're spending more time on their feet than on their knees, it's time to get them into a pair of shoes, if for no other reason than to protect those feet from stubbed toes and other injuries. So, what sort of shoes should you wrap those precious feet in?

Certainly NOT the old-fashioned hard-soled leather lace-up shoes that were meant to 'train' baby feet to grow properly. Pediatricians recommend soft shoes that move with baby's feet. The soles should be non-skid to prevent falls, but flexible enough that they bend as baby steps out on his own. Skip the high-tops, unless they're flexible enough to bend with baby's ankles and feet. Choose natural materials that breathe to keep feet from sweating and becoming uncomfortable.

The proper fit for baby's first shoes is also important. They shouldn't bind or chafe anywhere, so shop when you've got plenty of time to let the little one walk around the store wearing the shoes you're thinking of buying. Slip a pinkie in at the heel while baby is standing - there should be enough room between the shoe and the munchkin's heel to allow your pinkie or a pencil to slip in easily. Also tie and untie the shoes a couple of times - if you choose lace-up shoes - to make sure that the laces are long enough to tie easily. Laces aren't a necessity, though. The experts are about evenly divided on whether tie shoes or Velcro are better, with no clear-cut 'best'. Choose whichever you like best. Laced shoes are a lot more likely to be left on - but Velcro encourages independence because it's so much easier to master.

Besides picking a time for your shopping trip when you have time to let your baby walk around a bit, time your visit to the shoe store for after a nap, when the little one is well-rested. Keep in mind, too, that baby's feet swell a little in the late afternoon, just like yours do. Shop later in the day to make sure that you get shoes that will fit at all times of the day.

As your baby grows and gets more active, check the fit of his shoes at least once a month. You can plan on buying new shoes about every three-to-six months just due to average growth, but also be prepared to replace shoes if they're worn, the soles are cracked or they have holes in them.

And if you have your heart set on Baby's First Nikes? Shop around - you're sure to find them.


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