Having a baby is expensive. Delivery alone can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $32,000, depending on which state you’re in and whether you give birth naturally or via C-section. And in the first year, the USDA reports that the average middle class family spends around $12,000-14,000 on baby-related expenses.
However, that shouldn’t stop you from beginning your journey into motherhood the way you want. Baby gear in particular plays a big role, helping you integrate your baby into your life smoothly and without any complications. And you don’t even have to empty your pockets in the process. This simple guide can help you decide which items you’d find most valuable, and whether or not they’re worth splurging on.
SAVE: Bottle sterilizers and warmers
These two items are exceedingly simple. Just pop your bottles in, and you’ll either get bottles that are steamed and sterilized, or full of warm milk.
However, you can save more by just filling a pot with water, heating it to a rolling boil, and sterilizing your bottles in it. And if you want to warm your baby’s milk, run the bottle under some hot tap water.
SPLURGE: A dedicated bottle-drying rack
That being said, a bottle-drying rack is more useful. The soft, standing rubber bristles are great for keeping all of your baby bottle’s bits and pieces, meaning you’re less likely to lose them. And because the rack is only for drying baby bottles, there’s no risk of bacteria from your normal dish rack reaching your baby’s mouth.
IT DEPENDS: Breastfeeding gear
The best breast pumps, like the S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump by Spectra, help collect and store your milk, and are especially useful for when your breasts become too heavy or sore.
Meanwhile, breastfeeding capes are meant to be used in public. Of course, this shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of. You’re just feeding your baby, which is legal to do in all 50 states. But if the exposure makes you uncomfortable, this cape can come in handy.
Ultimately, purchasing either of these items depends on whether you’ll actually be breastfeeding your child or not.
SAVE: Changing table
While specially designed changing tables may seem perfect for all your changing needs, you don’t really need them. After all, any flat surface can be used to change a diaper, and diapers don’t necessarily need to be stored on shelves.
SPLURGE: Baby clothes
Instead, it’s best to stock up on classic white onesies. That’s because you’ll never know when an accident will ‘occur,’ and when it does, it’s easy as pie to throw the soiled onesie in the hamper and put a new one on. They’re relatively cheap, too, so you can buy them in bulk!
IT DEPENDS: Baby carriers, wraps, or slings
If you’re a hands-on parent, you might want to be a babywearer. Carriers, wraps, and slings help maintain the baby’s natural posture while keeping your hands free, and the constant presence of a parent’s heartbeat relaxes babies both emotionally and physically.
SPLURGE: Car seat and stroller combos
However, babywearing isn’t for everyone. That’s why, when traveling, strollers are a better option. For example, the EZ Ride 35 Travel System by Baby Trend comes with both a stroller and matching car seat, which is great for families always on the go. Meanwhile, the Peach Pushchair by iCandy can be converted from a single to a double stroller to accommodate growing families. It even comes complete with car seat adaptors to make moving around much easier for young parents.
The car seat-stroller combo guarantees safety in two forms and is definitely worth your money. So when shopping, look for key features like the ability to switch between parent and world-facing modes, adjustable handlebars, and a warranty to ensure free repairs — just in case.
IT DEPENDS: The baby monitor
For the first 4 months, it’s better to keep your baby in your own room — though not in the same bed — to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Once you’re baby’s old enough, though, a baby monitor may still be unnecessary.
It all depends on the size of your house. It’s not needed if your house is small enough for you to hear your baby even if you’re watching TV or doing the laundry. For larger houses, though, you might want to splurge on one.
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