Should You Scrimp or Splurge on Baby Gear?

Adorableness notwithstanding, not all the touted baby “essentials” are must-haves; most are actually nice-to-haves. And for the real must-haves, not all of them come with a high price tag. With a little effort, you can get essentials for cheap; even for free!

Infant Wear
Take note of the season: long-sleeved tops for December; breezier attire for the summer. Remember, babies grow quickly.
•    12 tie-side shirts
•    6 pairs each, mittens and
•    Booties
•    2 bonnets
•    4 onesies
•    Cold-weather clothes like pants and frogsuits


Splurge or Scrimp? Scrimp!
“I regret spending so much on clothes and toys,î says Bethany Salcedo, entrepreneur and mother of two. “People gave hand-me-downs and I have no qualms about using them.”

Baby’s Kikay Kit
•    Thermometer: Eduardo Borja, M.D., pediatrician at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, says fevers in babies could be a cause for concern; you will need an accurate thermometer.
•    Nail clippers or scissors
•    Baby hairbrush
•    Alcohol and cotton buds: For cleaning the umbilical stump. Dr. Borja recommends 70 percent ethyl alcohol.
•    Nasal aspirator


Splurge or Scrimp? Scrimp.

Nappy Needs
•    Disposable diapers: Get small packs of different brands to see which one works best for baby before buying in bulk.
•    3 dozen cloth diapers: The gauze ones also work well as burp pads, emergency mop-up rags, and nursing covers.
•    4 pairs of diaper clips: For cloth diapers
•    Changing pad: Waterproof and easily washable
•    Cotton balls
•    Baby wipes
•    Water container: For dipping cotton balls
•    Diaper pail/container: You may repurpose any pail you already have at home.
•    Diaper cream: Get a small tube first to see what works.

Click here to read more about splurging or scrimping on feeding items and bath essentials for baby.

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Read more about splurging or scrimping on feeding items and bath essentials for baby.

 

Splurge or Scrimp? Scrimp, mostly.
You can save up on most items. However, if the most expensive disposables and diaper creams are the ones that work for your baby, then you shouldn’t scrimp on those.

Feeding Time
•    Chair: Choose one that’s comfortable.
•    Pillows: A nursing pillow is nice-to-have, but not essential.
•    Burp pads and bibs
•    Bottles: Three to four if you are breastfeeding (for when you give baby pumped breast milk); at least a dozen if you’re not, so you don’t have to wash and sterilize too often throughout the day.
•    Nipples: See which ones work for your baby (rubber, silicone, etc.) before you get a lot.
•    Sterilizer: Boiling bottles in a regular pot could work, but an electric sterilizer is a good investment.
•    Bottle and nipple brush: Low-tech works just one.
•    Breast pump: A great investment for breastfeeding moms. “If you use it continuously, you can get the ROI in six months, just compute the cost against formula consumption,” says Salcedo. “You can also use it for your next baby.” Sheila Catilo, photographer and mom of one, adds, “A low-quality breast pump will not only take up a lot of your time, it can hurt you and cause nipple damage.”
•    Storage bags or containers for your breast milk
•    Nursing bibs
•    Electric kettle: For heating water to defrost or warm milk; it can also be used to heat bath water. Get a good one as you’ll use it several times a day.


Splurge or scrimp? Splurge.

Bath Essentials
You don’t need anything high-tech or expensive to bathe your baby.
•    Tub or basin
•    4 washcloths
•    Gentle baby wash
•    3 to 4 towels

Click here to read more about scrimping or splurging on sleeping and miscellaneous items for baby.

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Read more about scrimping or splurging on sleeping and miscellaneous items for baby.

 

Splurge or scrimp? Scrimp.

Sleeping Time
Think of your sleeping preferences before shopping, or your crib may end up as expensive storage space if your baby co-sleeps.
•    Crib: If you can’t borrow one, invest in a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed. Make sure it doesn’t have lead paint, says Salcedo, since teething babies love chewing on their cribs.
•    Mattress: Make sure it fits baby’s crib.
•    2 to 3 fitted sheets
•    3 to 4 blankets: Have at least two that are big enough for swaddling.
•    Mosquito net: Optional


Splurge or scrimp? Other than the crib, scrimp, mostly.
Other items like crib guards will be needed only when baby starts moving around. You may want to get a mobile as well; or make one!

Miscellaneous Items
Here, a few of the most useful nice-to-haves:
•    Stroller: You don’t need all the bells and whistles of designer strollers; just make sure that the one you get is sturdy and easy to handle. You can also borrow or get a gently used unit. Rita Alvarez, advertising manager and mother of two, says she paid only a nominal price for her kids’ branded stroller, which she got from her sister.
•    Car seat: This is one item you should splurge on, says Mike Silva, father of one. ìIf adults get jerked about and thrown when the car suddenly stops; and they’re wearing seatbelts; what more a baby?” Opt for an infant-to-child car seat so you get more mileage out of it.
•    Organizer or storage for your baby's things: A new set of shelves, plastic crates; whatever works for you. Or just share closet space with your baby.
•    Baby sling, carrier, or pouch: Central to attachment parenting, this allows you to “wear” your baby while keeping your hands free. Try it out before buying.


Splurge or scrimp?
Splurge on some, scrimp on others. Examine which items will really contribute to the well-being of your baby before you splurge.


Photo from flickr.com

SOURCES
● Eduardo Borja, M.D., pediatrician, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan; fellow, Philippine Pediatric Society
● Mommy panel: Rita Alvarez, Bethany Salcedo, Sheila Catilo, Benilda Lakinglawa, Camille Sta. Cruz, M.D