We’re always hearing how expensive it is to bring up a baby but this doesn’t have to be the case. You can afford that baby. If you’re thrifty and willing to compromise, there’s no need to blow the budget when your new arrival joins the family. Here are some tips on how to save money on baby items.

1. How vital is the item?

The average list of baby-related must-haves is pretty scary but not all of them are vital essentials. If you’re new to the parenting world, it can be very hard to tell the difference between what you need and what are just fancy extras that are nice to have if you can afford it. Sound out people who have gone through the first year of parenthood and ask them which items they really needed.

2. Second hand isn’t necessarily inferior

A lot of the things that you’ll be buying will only be in use for a matter of months so it makes little sense to buy everything brand new if you’re on a budget. Don’t be afraid to buy second hand items like baby mattresses where possible, but be sure to check that what you’re buying meets the relevant health and safety standards, especially for buggies and the like. Don’t look to buy used car seats though as you can’t be sure of their safety and whether they have previously been involved in an accident.

3. Delay your purchases as much as you can

It’s tempting to rush out and start buying baby items from the moment that your pregnancy is confirmed but this will inevitably mean that you spend a considerable amount of money. If you know other people who have had kids in the last few years, you may well get given a lot of their cast-offs that they’re keen to get rid of. This can save you having to buy a lot of the basics and you can concentrate on filling in the gaps. For most parents-to-be, buying items on the off-chance that they’ll be needed means that they end up wasting a lot of money. If you’re brave enough, you might want to leave the items that you’re not sure whether you’ll need until after the birth so that you won’t waste money on things that you’ll never use.

4. Look for bargains

Throughout your baby-related shopping, look out for sales and discounts that you can take advantage of. You can often save money by shopping online so it’s worth keeping an eye on what sales are on, even if your due date isn’t for several months. Shop around to make sure that you’re really getting the best deal.

Having a baby doesn’t need to be as costly as is often claimed, and it’s definitely possible to save money in this area without compromising on your new-born’s start in life. Don’t feel that you’ll need to buy everything on recommended baby lists – if you talk to other parents, you’ll probably find that they wasted money and found that they were completely over-prepared. And if you want, check out Compare the Market. They can help you find 0% credit cards which will be really handy when making all of these baby purchases. Make sure you pay them off in full at the end of the month though, otherwise baby clothes won’t be your only worry.

So, how have you saved money on baby costs? Please share.