Baby on a Budget
Babies are life’s greatest gift to mankind. The process of bringing a life into this world is a rollercoaster of insurmountable joy that comes with a hefty price tag. In an effort to make your stress a little lighter & your wallet a little heavier, below is a complete budget friendly registry (sourced from Babylist). Baby gear doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. From your crib to your high chair, here’s a complete registry of baby gear at affordable prices.
Gear:
The Boba Wrap works for babies from birth (including preemies), and the incredibly soft material includes a 5% spandex content, making the wrap easy to use for beginner and advanced baby wearers alike.
Boba Wrap Classic Baby Carrier
Amazon$39.95
Target$39.99
Babylist$39.95
The carrier can be used with babies as small as eight pounds—without an infant insert—and grows with your baby until they are 25 pounds.
BabyBjorn Original Baby Carrier
Target$79.99
Buy Buy Baby$79.99
Amazon$79.99
Walmart$95.99
Babylist$79.99
The SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat is a great infant car seat option. It goes up to 35 lbs, so most babies can use it for more than a year, and it’s easy to install.
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat
Walmart$99.99
Amazon$99.99
Target$109.99
Buy Buy Baby$159.99
Babylist$149.99
This infant car seat and stroller in one is a great deal! The Key Fit 30 is one of the most popular car seats because it’s so easy to install and to carry. And the stroller doesn’t skimp on extras like a big basket for toys and bags, an adjustable handbar and a parent cupholder. The major drawback is that it only comes in one color.
Chicco Cortina CX Travel System
Target$270.00
Buy Buy Baby$299.99
Walmart$299.99
Amazon$300.00
Babylist$299.99
If you aren’t going to be strolling over rough terrain and want a stroller that easily folds and fits anywhere, this could be your answer. One drawback for the newborn stage—you can’t connect your infant car seat, so you won’t use this until around six months when baby can easily hold up their head. (That’s where a great carrier comes in handy.)
Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
Amazon$79.96
Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat can be forward or rear-facing for up to 40 lbs. This super-affordable convertible car seat also boosts a slim width so that you can fit three across a standard back seat. The seat pad is entirely machine washable too.
Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat
Walmart$49.98
Nursery:
The Play ‘n Play is a travel crib, playpen and so much more.
Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard
Walmart$75.98
Buy Buy Baby$79.99
Amazon$88.00
Babylist$84.99
Your crib doesn’t need to be the most expensive thing in the nursery. This is a great crib that gets the job done. And with two heights and removable side, it can be adapted into a toddler bed too.
Gulliver Crib
Ikea$99.00
Parents love this firm foam mattress because it’s a great value for the price.
Lullaby Earth Super Lightweight Eco-Plus Crib Mattress
Amazon$169.00
Lullaby Earth$169.00
Target$169.00
Buy Buy Baby$169.99
Babylist$169.00
Clothing:
Babies spit up. Luckily these absorbent burp cloths can help keep you dry. This is four-pack, and we recommend registering for two.
Carter’s Burp Cloth (4 Pack)
Babylist$15.99
This four-pack of longsleeve bodysuits will keep your little one warm—and they’re pretty cute too.
Carter’s Long Sleeve Bodysuit (4 Pack)
Babylist$19.99
Two hats and two pairs of adorable pajamas to keep baby cozy.
Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Footed Coverall & Knot Top Hat (2 Pack)
Amazon$24.95
Buy Buy Baby$24.99
Babylist$24.95
This five-pack makes it easy to have lots of bodysuits at the ready when your little one arrives. Register for them in a few different sizes to cover baby’s first year.
Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Short Sleeve Bodysuit (5 Pack)
Amazon$19.95
Target$24.95
Walmart$24.95
Babylist$24.95
These will keep little toes warm. Plus they’re all white so you won’t have to worry about finding a match.
Gerber Wiggle-Proof Jersey Ankle Bootie Socks
Walmart$9.98
This sun hat has a huge brim, and the band around the head has a toggle so that it grows with your baby.
i play Brim Sun Protection Hat
iplaybaby.com$13.00
Babylist$12.99
Feeding:
The Boppy breastfeeding pillow curves around your waist to hold your baby while you are nursing, making it so much easier on your arms and shoulders.
Boppy Original Nursing Pillow and Positioner
Walmart$39.79
Amazon$39.79
Target$39.99
Buy Buy Baby$39.99
Babylist$39.99
The Philips Avent is a great bottle whether you are feeding your baby formula or expressed breast milk. This bottle starter kit comes with four bottles, a trainer cup, formula dispenser, pacifier and bottle brush.
Philips Avent Anti-colic with AirFree Vent Newborn Starter Set
Walmart$30.39
Amazon$30.39
Buy Buy Baby$39.99
Babylist$35.99
If you are only going to be pumping occasionally, a hand pump is a good and inexpensive solution.
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
Walmart$27.00
Target$27.00
Amazon$27.00
Bibs don’t have to be fancy, and this 10-pack will do the trick.
GREEN SPROUTS Organic Muslin Bibs (5 Pack)
Amazon$19.97
Target$19.99
Buy Buy Baby$19.99
iplaybaby.com$25.00
Babylist$24.99
This popular high chair is easy to clean and easy on the wallet too.
Antilop High Chair
Ikea$24.99
Diapering:
Pampers Swaddlers are the preferred brand at most hospitals, and parents love the wetness indicator strip. Register for some newborn, size 1 and size 2 diapers, since you will need them all in the first six months.
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers
Walmart$50.47
Amazon$56.23
Skipping a dedicated changing table and putting a changing pad on top of an existing dresser or other surface can save money. Then use a changing pad cover over it so it will get dirty instead of the changing pad.
Summer 2-Sided Changing Pad
Amazon$19.88
Walmart$19.88
Buy Buy Baby$22.99
Babylist$24.95
These versatile waterproof pads can be a lifesaver! Use them on top of your changing pad cover, as an on-the-go changing station, for tummy time or many other uses.
Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liners (3-Pack)
Walmart$9.99
Amazon$9.99
Target$9.99
Babylist$11.99
Yep, babies dirty a lot of diapers! This diaper pail won’t help you change them, but it will minimize their smell. Note: Diaper Genies do require specific refills that can make the cost add up.
Diaper Genie Essentials
Amazon$37.97
Walmart$37.44
Some parents skip a diaper bag altogether and use a backpack or purse that they already have, but if you’re out with baby a lot, a diaper bag with lots of pockets can be nice to have.
Baby Essentials Striped Diaper Bag Tote
Target$34.99
Bathing:
It fits in your sink, has a sling for newborns and grows with your baby. What more could you want? And the price is just right. (Also, a tub is an easy thing to skip.)
The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn to Toddler Tub with Sling
Babylist$19.99
This ultrasoft 10-pack of washcloths is great to have around for bathtime and beyond. (You could also skip this and use your own washcloths on the baby.)
Spasilk Soft Terry Washcloth (10 Pack)
Buy Buy Baby$6.99
Amazon$6.99
Walmart$7.00
What’s cuter than a baby? A baby in a duck towel. A hooded towel is both cute and practical for keeping them warm after bathtime (though your regular towels will work too).
Luvable Friends Animal Face Hooded Woven Terry Baby Towel
Amazon$12.00
Health & Safety:
This first aid kit has all of your essentials (thermometer, nose aspirator, nail clippers) as well as a brush, comb, toothbrush and more.
The First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit
Amazon$19.95
Buy Buy Baby$19.99
Walmart$19.99
Target$19.99
Magic Beans$24.99
Babylist$19.99
This is a great inexpensive audio monitor so you can listen in on baby when they’re sleeping. If you’re interested in a video monitor, the Anmeate monitor is an inexpensive option.
VTech DM221 Safe & Sound Digital Audio Baby Monitor
Amazon$34.99
Fun:
Simple and stylish, this activity mat can be used from birth and is easy to take to grandma’s too.
Infantino Square Twist and Fold Activity Gym
Amazon$41.63
Little babies love to grab this tiny ball.
Oball Classic
Amazon$7.18
Walmart$11.19
This is one of our favorites, but we suggest adding a few of your family favorites to your registry too. (And don’t forget: you add requests for preloved books to your registry!)
Guess How Much I Love You
$3.99
Huge shoutout to Babylist for all the work on providing budget friendly options! Stay tuned for my upcoming posts: My Chicago Baby Shower, Baby Shower on a Budget, Baby Shower Games (Free Downloads), and Ultimate List of Free Baby Items. I hope this post was helpful and gave you some piece of mind, especially if you are preparing for a little one of your own!
