Soon-To-Be Mom Of Two Solenn Gives Tips On How To Avoid Splurging On Baby Items

Solenn Heussaff and her husband Nico Bolzico are excited to meet their second baby.

On July 4, 2022, the 36-year-old Kapuso star and her husband took to Instagram to announce that they are having another baby.

But in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via e-mail, Solenn said she has known about her pregnancy for quite a while.

"I found out that I was pregnant last March," she revealed.

Solenn, who is now around her 17th week of pregnancy, admitted that having a baby this year was not in their plans, but she and Nico are more than happy to receive this blessing in advance.

She continued, "We were thinking of having our second child next year, but the blessing happened in advance and we’re very thankful.

"Everything falls into place and everything happens for a reason."

Asked about her pregnancy experience this time around, Solenn said it's a lot easier compared to her first time.

"I would have to say it is much easier.

"Of course, when you’re a first-time mom, everything is new, and everything that you go through, you didn’t learn in school.

"It’s always a little scary, but come the second time around, I am more relaxed because I know what to expect and it just makes things easier.

"Even if you’re more tired because you’re already taking care of someone else, it is a relaxing journey, at least, for now."

Solenn and Nico got married on May 21, 2016 in France. They already have a two-year-old daughter named Thylane Katana. 

Preparing for the second baby and the Ate

Solenn and Nico have already started preparing for the arrival of their baby.

Based on her experience in buying supplies for their two-year-old daughter Tili, Solenn knows that most of the items she needs for her second baby can now be bought online.

The Lazada ambassador and host pointed out,  "When it comes to children’s toys and gadgets and other things I might need, I would not know what physical store to go to.

"I can type anything, like toys, or masks for children, and I have a million options online. That’s usually where I get all my supplies for Tili."

The hands-on celebrity mom is currently buying a lot of educational toys and art materials for her firstborn.

She added, "When it comes to art, I’ve bought water beads from Lazada. I’ve also bought sorting toys and science toys for her there."

Toys for soon-to-be Ate Tili

Part of the preparation for a new baby is to prepare the elder sibling for the new changes. Here are some toys that you can give your toddler, according to Solenn.

1. Water beads (P89.00)

 

Buy it here.

 

2. Sorting toys (P75.00)

 

Buy it here.

 

3. Science toys (P336.00)

 

Buy it here.

 

How to avoid splurging on baby items 

When asked for some tips on how to control splurge shopping and avoid "budol" items, Solenn said, "There’s just so many things you see other than what you’re searching for. Other things pop up and they also look interesting and nice.

"Usually, I save it to my cart first and then I go back to it a few days later. Then, I decide if I really need it before buying it."

A study in 2021 shows, parents would spend around P60,000 to cover a newborn's basic supplies. "And these are only the basic items; it doesn’t even include other items such as bath products, cleaning accessories, clothing, feeding items, baby décor, or even bigger non-item necessities such as healthcare," according to the iPrice website.

That's why it's important to decide carefully before checking out the items that you've added to cart, as Solenn advised.

Motherly listed some guide questions that you can ask yourself before you splurge on a baby item.

1. How often is the item used?

When it comes to baby clothes, one thing first-time parents learned the hard way is that you only need a few pieces because your child will outgrow it easily. It's best if you can choose high quality but cost-effective clothes for your child. Solenn knows this - she has a clothing line with sister-in-law Anne Curtis called Tili Dahli.

READ ALSO: Wais Mom Bartered Old Items And Got A Play Tent, Slide, And Toy Car In Return!

2. How much would better quality impact day-to-day life?

For big ticket items like car seats and carriers, it's best to spend a few more to get the best quality. When your baby or your life is at stake, don't scrimp on it. Read our buying guide for car seats here.

3. What is the lifespan of the item?

If you think the item would be used for long-term, it's okay to splurge. If it will be used only for a short period of time, you can rethink.

For example, diaper bags. For sure you will be using it for a long time, so you can opt to buy a more expensive one that has good quality. For toys that will be used only for a short while, you can choose the cheaper alternative. You can also just use hand-me-downs from your first child.

READ ALSO: 5 Celeb Moms Who Have No Qualms Using Hand-Me-Down Clothes or Gear

4. Is it worth the investment?

If you and your husband are planning to have more kids, then you can invest on big ticket items like a nursery or a nice crib. But for everything else, ask this question a few times before you check out that cart. When in doubt, ask other parents for their reviews. You can join the Smart Parenting Village, where over 80,000 parents are ready to answer your questions.

This story originally appeared on Pep.ph.

*Minor edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors.