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First Trimester, Pregnancy

When to Start Buying Baby Stuff

March 7, 2022

You’re pregnant! Congratulations! As you start to think about what your little one will need, you may be wondering when to start buying baby stuff. The good news is that you don’t have to wait until the last minute and there are a few key items that you’ll want to have before the baby arrives.

In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about buying baby stuff and what to consider before pulling out your credit card. We’ll cover everything from cribs and strollers to diapers and wipes, and we’ll give you some tips on how to save money along the way as well.

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What To Buy When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

Prenatal Vitamins

As soon as you find out that you’re pregnant, you should start taking prenatal vitamins if you’re not already. These vitamins are essential for the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system. Look for a vitamin that contains folic acid or folate, which can help prevent certain birth defects like neural tube defects (spina bifida). I love the prenatal vitamins and probiotics made specifically for pregnancy by Eu Naturals.

Crackers, Preggie Pops, & Ginger Tea

Another item that you’ll want to stock up on as soon as you find out you’re pregnant are crackers, ginger tea, and Preggie Pops. These items can help you combat nausea, which is common in early pregnancy. Be sure to keep a stash of these in your purse, desk drawer, and right beside your bed so that you can have them on hand when the nausea strikes.

Milestone Picture Items

As you start to document your pregnancy journey with photos, you’ll want to have a few milestone picture items on hand. A belly cast kit is a great way to capture your changing shape, and a set of milestone cards can help you track your baby’s development. I love these wooden etched pregnancy milestone cards from Blossom & Pear.

Maternity Clothes

You will likely start to show around the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy, so it’s time to invest in some maternity clothes. Maternity clothes can be expensive, but there are a few ways to save money. Check out your local consignment store or shop online at sites like Amazon and Groupon Goods. Check out my favorite places to shop for maternity clothes.

Pregnancy Journal

A pregnancy journal is a great way to track your thoughts and feelings throughout your pregnancy. It can also be a wonderful keepsake for your child later on in life. Promptly Journals has some beautiful keepsake journals, or you may like this journal titled “Hello, Little Mama”.

Pregnancy Planner

A pregnancy planner is a great way to keep track of all the appointments and milestones you’ll be experiencing during your pregnancy. It can also help you stay organized so that you don’t miss anything important. You can find pregnancy planners at your local bookstore or online.

First Items To Start Buying For Baby: What’s Most Important

Diapers

One of the most important items that you’ll need to buy for your baby is diapers. Be sure to stock up on multiple sizes of diapers, not just newborn. If you see a sale or get a coupon in the mail for your local baby store, Target, Walmart, etc. that’s a good time to throw a pack of diapers in your cart.

Wipes

Along with diapers, you’ll also want to stock up on wipes. Wipes can be used for everything from cleaning your baby’s face and hands to wiping down the changing table. We love Water Wipes as they’re very effective at cleaning baby but also gentle on their sensitive skin.

Clothing

Another essential item for your baby is clothing. It’s a good idea to buy a few newborn outfits, as well as a few sizes up. Keep in mind that you’ll probably receive a lot of clothes for baby at your baby shower or as gifts throughout your pregnancy. So, you may want to register for multiple sizes so you have enough clothes for the first several months or a year.

Diaper Bag

A diaper bag is an essential item for any new parent. Be sure to choose a bag that is comfortable to carry and has plenty of room for all of your baby’s gear. You can find some of my favorite diaper bag recommendations here. If you see a style you like, you may want to sign up with the company to get a discount or get emails when they’re offering a sale or discount as some diaper bags can be expensive.

Car Seat

It is mandatory by law that all babies be transported in a car seat, so this will be an item you’ll need before your baby is born so you can take your baby home from the hospital safely. I have all sorts of car seat tips for you here. Be sure to do your research and choose a car seat that is right for your family, your vehicle, and your budget.

Stroller

A stroller is a must-have for any new parent, especially if you plan to go out for walks, or to the park or the zoo with baby for some fresh air. Some car seats and strollers are sold as a set which may be better for your budget. Also there are strollers that can grow with your family and accommodate a second seat if/when you have another baby. That may be better for your budget in the long run.

Baby Furniture

Once your little one arrives, you’ll need some place for them to sleep safety which could be in a crib or bassinet. If you plan to put a nursery together for baby, you may need some furniture as well like a changing table/dresser, rocking chair, etc. For more tips on what to buy for baby’s nursery and to see some beautiful nursery designs, click here.

Things To Consider When Shopping for Baby Stuff

Are you having a baby shower?

If you are having a baby shower, keep in mind that some of these larger items like the car seat, diaper bag, crib, etc could be included on your registry for others to buy for you. If you’re curious what you really need to register for for baby and what you’ll definitely need in the first few months, check out this blog post.

You can also request gift cards on your registry and return any gifts you don’t need and use that cash to fill in the blanks of what you’ll need for baby.

Will you find out the baby’s gender?

If you are finding out the baby’s gender, you may want to wait to buy certain items, such as clothes and bedding. If you are not finding out baby’s gender or don’t want to reveal it to family and friends until after baby’s born, you can register and purchase more gender neutral items. For some gender neutral nursery ideas, click here.

How much space do you have for baby stuff?

There are so many amazing baby gadgets and gizmos and it’s hard to not want it all for your little one. But, another thing to keep in mind is how much space you have for all this baby stuff. If you are living in close quarters, look for items that can serve multiple purposes and won’t take up much space.

For instance instead of buying a baby swing, bouncy seat, lounger, etc. you may opt for the 4moms Mamaroo that can do all those things in one with a much smaller footprint.

What is your baby budget?

Before you start shopping for baby stuff, be sure to set a budget. This will help you keep track of your spending and make sure that you don’t overspend which is certainly easy to do when it comes to buying baby stuff. You can find great deals on baby items by shopping at garage sales, thrift stores, or online. It’s best to know what’s extremely important to you and what’s not, and then be able to set limits on your spending on what’s most important to you.

For instance, it may be more important to spend money on a top of the line car seat because safety is extremely important to you and will give you peace of mind. And to off set that spending, you may go to a mom to mom sale and stock up on gently used clothing that costs a fraction of the cost of new items at Gymboree or Baby Gap.

When to start your Baby Registry?

If you are planning on having a baby shower, you should start your registry as soon as possible. This will give your guests plenty of time to shop for the items on your list, and you plenty of time to ask your mama friends for their suggestions on what you’ll need. You can create a registry on sites like Amazon or Babylist, that make shopping for several items from various brands simple and easy!

Tips For Saving Money On Baby Gear

Now that you know all the ins and outs of when to buying baby stuff, you’re ready to start shopping! But before you go overboard (been there, done that!), here are a few tips for saving money on baby gear:

-Start with the basics: You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with the essentials and build from there.

-Shop around: Compare prices online and in store before you make a purchase.

-Buy used when possible: You can find great deals on lightly used baby gear. Just be sure to inspect everything thoroughly before you buy. (I don’t suggest doing this for car seats or cribs, however, because they may be expired or not follow today’s standards.)

-Take advantage of sales: Watch for sales and clearance items – you can often find some great deals.

-Join a baby gear rental program: This can be a great way to try out different items without making a long-term commitment.

Other FAQ’s About When To Buy Baby Stuff

Q: Is it bad luck to buy things for the baby so early?

A: There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Some people believe that it’s bad luck to buy things for the baby before they are born, while others think that it’s never too early to start preparing. This will be based on cultural and perhaps familial beliefs.

Q: How many sizes of diapers should I buy?

A: You can plan to do at least 6 diaper changes a day. So you may want to stock up on a months worth of newborn diapers (180+ diapers at minimum), and even more in size 1 and beyond. So, I’d recommend registering or buying at least 1-2 packs of newborn diapers, and 4 boxes of size 1,2,3, & 4. And, don’t forget the wipes too! You may want to register for 6+ boxes of wipes since you’ll go through them really quickly.

Q: How many pieces of clothing should I have for baby?

A: It really depends on your budget and how often you plan to do laundry. You can get by with just a few pieces of clothing in the beginning, or you can buy a lot and rotate them. Babies can be messy, so if you’re looking for a good rule of thumb here is what you may want to buy/register for in each of the baby sizes NB, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and beyond…

10-12 sleepers
10-12 pairs of pants/shorts
15-20 onesies
15-20 pairs of socks

Q: When is it too late to shop for baby?

A: There is no real answer to this question. It really depends on your individual circumstances. However, it’s generally a good idea to start shopping for baby gear before the last few weeks of your pregnancy. You’ll want the important items like the car seat, bassinet, clothes, diapers, etc. ready to go preferably by 32 weeks of pregnancy because babies can certainly come early.

Q: When should I buy a breast pump?

A: If you are planning to breastfeed, you should talk to your OB/GYN or Midwife about when to buy your breast pump. Often times they are covering by your insurance company and require a doctors prescription. If yours is covered by insurance, this could save you hundreds of dollars which is extra exciting.

We hope you found this blog post helpful! If you have any questions about when to buy baby stuff, please feel free to ask in the comments below. What an exciting time your lives! Congratulations and happy shopping!