Andrea, a long time Grocery Shrink reader, asked me to write a post about how to prepare for a baby frugally.  And since it is fresh in my mind, I thought it would be a great time to do it.  Here are the necessities for a new baby:  

Diapering:

18-24 cloth diapers. I prefer fitted diapers that require separate covers, but there are also all in ones, pocket diapers, and flat fold diapers.  

3-5 covers in each size.  My favorite covers are wool and I love wool covers that look like clothes to eliminate a layer.  I’ve really enjoyed the free Curly Purly Soaker Pattern for knitting.  And I purchased the wonder pantspattern.  I’m having trouble mastering the 2 at a time magic loop technique, but I’m sure it will come with time.  Youtube videos have been very helpful to me!  For little girls my favorite soaker pattern is from Tiny Birds Organics.  I can make a soaker with $3 of 100% wool yarn (That includes a 50% off coupon) or I can buy a handknit one for $10-$30.  An alternative to knitting or crocheting a soaker is to sew one out of a felted wool sweater.  Sweaters can be found at the thrift store on $1 day and any shorts or pants pattern designed for stretch knit fabric will work.  Just wash and dry your sweater a couple of times until it has shrunk, then cut it apart and use it like fabric.  When you are finished, lanolizeyour soaker and it’s ready to go.   

Curly Purly Wool Soaker by Marmalade Baby Creations

Tiny Birds Organics Soaker Pattern

24-36 cloth wipes.  Thin washcloths are fine or 9 inch flannel squares work well too.  I prefer to keep homemade wipe solution in a spray bottle and wet the wipes as I need them. 

Diaper Bag–This can be as simple as a large purse.  If you nurse you won’t need baby bottle pockets, but you might want a bottle pocket for mama’s water bottle.  The hospital always sends us home with a diaper bag full of coupons and free samples, and the last 3 babies the bags have been fairly stylish.  Before deciding on a diaper bag, think about your personal style.  This is usually an accessory for mom and should be in her style–not overly baby with pastel prints and cartoon characters. 

Clothes

3-5 infant gowns (My young babies pretty much live in gowns at home.  I can change their diapers quickly, and they love having their legs with skin to skin contact.)  

3-5 undershirts(With cloth diapers I prefer side-snap t-shirts to onesises.  It’s so much faster to change a diaper that way.)  A t-shirt and wool cover makes a great summer outfit.  The t-shirts only come in white as far as I’ve found, but they can be dyed and decorated.  I’m also working on a sewing pattern for long, sleeve and short sleeve side snap t’s that are a little longer than the ones that come from the store.  But don’t ask me when it will be ready!)  

3 sleep and play footed sleepers–these are necessary for when it’s time to put baby in a carseat.  Gowns just don’t work well for this.  

2 nice outfits for church and showing baby off  

Socks and booties are optional.  Footed clothing works better since most socks and booties are hard to keep on.  I’ve had decent luck with Old Navy brand socks, but they don’t come very small!  

Other Linens:

5 Receiving blankets.  My favorite blankets are homemade flannel squares. 36″ squares are perfect for newborns and 42″ squares are nice for older children. You can make them all 42 inches to avoid having 2 sets. For colder seasons, I like squares that are flannel on oneside and a cotton print on the other.  We stitch them right sides together and turn them out, top stitching around the edge.  Putting some quilting lines on them makes them like a light quilt, but it’s not necessary.  

12 Burp Cloths–I prefer the cheaper prefold diapers for burp cloths–the kind that Gerber makes.  They aren’t great for actually diapering, but make nice burp cloths!  Some mama’s like drool bibs, but I find they get twisted around, don’t seem to cover the spot that gets hit,  and cover up the cute outfits.  I prefer just to use a burp cloth even with my reflux babies–but each mama will have her own preference.  

Pouch Sling Pattern

1 Baby Carrier–There are so many options out there!  My favorite is the pouch style sling.  It has no hardware to dig into the shoulder, works from newborn to toddler, and is easy to breastfeed with.  Other options are the Moby, Ring Sling, Front pack carrier, and Back pack.  

1-Nursing Cover–This is optional too, but so easy to make that it’s worth it to have one.  My favorite kind has a boning piece in the neckline so you always have eye contact with your baby.  My favorite nursing cover doesn’t have D-rings (ouch!) or velcro (oh no, my stockings!), because I’ve found once I adjust it the first time, I never move it again.  It’s better to just make it to fit.  Here’s a tutorial. 

I don’t buy separate baby towels and wash cloths.  I had a hard time finding where to keep them and our regular towels work just fine (if not better.)  Baby bathrobes were also wasted on me, but they are so cute!!!  I prefer to get my baby diapered and bundled right away–it feels safer from potty leaks :).  

For Mama

12 Nursing Pads–Some mamas don’t leak, but that is the exception, not the rule. Mothers are more likely to leak with their first baby than with subsequent babies. My favorite pads are several layers of flannel serged in a circle.  Nothing fancy.  I’ve found the bigger ones show less under clothes.  Even if you don’t leak, nursing pads will prevent your nipples from showing through your clothing, and keep the oily breast ointments off your clothes. 

Sanitary products–the hospital provides a large package of sanitary products that are often sufficient for post delivery bleeding.  But if you have a home birth or extended period of bleeding you will want to have extras on hand.  There are lots of options for you in this area–cloth pads or disposeable pads are the best choices since silicone cups and tampons can be painful after delivery while your birthing area heals.  This is one time I’m tempted to go disposeable since the last thing I need the few days after baby comes is more laundry–and as helpful as my help is, they’d rather not deal with that kind of laundry either.   After the initial delivery bleeding stops, many breastfeeding women enjoy a break from their monthly bleeding until baby sleeps through the night for the first time.  This is one of the reasons I do not encourage my babies to sleep through the night before a year old. Once they do, my milk supply also drastically reduces. 

3 Nursing Nightgowns–My favorite nightgowns have built in breast support that hold nursing pads in place and eliminate the need for a sleep bra.  I designed a pattern that is perfect for this, and if you’d like to sew your own you can find it here. 

Daytime Nursing Clothes–these are optional.  I’ve found the most useful nursing clothes are dresses.  Most regular separates are nursing friendly and with the addition of a tummy cover or camisole, there’s no need to buy special clothing.  When looking for nursing friendly clothes, look for clothes that provide easy access to the breast (Pull up or down, or over from the side) without using buttons, zippers or snaps.  They will just slow you down and make for a frustrated mama and baby.  You will be most comfortable in clothes that don’t make you look pregnant still, but are friendly to your post partum figure.  Also, knit fabrics stretch around, are easier to maneuver, and drape nicely to eliminate excess bulk that can make you look bigger than you are. 

Belly Binder–I’ve never used one of these before, but have one on hand this time.  The belly binder helps to put pressure on the uterus to slow bleeding and hasten the recovery period.  It also encourages the separated bones and muscles to go back to where they belong after being loose and stretchy for so many months.  This can help heal a diastisis recti and get your waist back.  I got mine used for very little money.  Amazon has several available too.  Right now I have no opinion on which brand is the best.  Use your belly binder for at least 6 weeks (up to 6 months) or until you regain your original figure. 

Lansinoh–I am partial to this brand of purified lanolin.  When used daily the last 2 weeks of pregnancy it can help prevent sore nipples which are common for the first 2 weeks of nursing.  It is safe for baby, and can also be used to lanolize your wool diaper covers. 

Equipment

Carseat–This isn’t optional at all and can be the most expensive piece of equipment.  I like the bucket carseats instead of just starting out in a convertable seat.  It costs more over the long run, but when baby is asleep it’s so easy to carry him in the store without waking him. 

Infant tub–this is kind of optional, but I find it handy.  Some people advocate just getting in the big tub and holding baby, but I’ve found the infant tub uses a lot less water, and sometimes the other kids like to help with the bath–not so good when mama’s naked in the tub!)  Infant tubs are plentiful at garage sales for $1-$2.  

Stroller–This is optional to some people if they have a carrier.  I do prefer the carrier for crowded areas like an airport, and for uneven terrain, like when hiking in the woods.  But a stroller is pretty handy for family walks, shopping, and going to the zoo.  Sometimes I get tired carrying baby all the time, and a stroller has a basket for carrying our lunch.  

Bouncer or Swing–My babies are born with strong necks and can hold their heads up almost from birth.  Weaker babies shouldn’t use a bouncer until they have good neck muscles or the position can cause their airway to collapse and suffocate them.  I’ve found a cradle shaped bouncer to be a great place to nap baby nearby and keep him happy while I’m working with older children.  I could do without it, but I wouldn’t want to.  A bouncer is a necessity if your baby has reflux as it keeps him upright and helps stop the burning. 

Potty Bowl–This is used for pottying your newborn infant until he can sit up on his own.  It’s a new concept for many people, but I use mine several times a day and take it with me in my diaper bag.  I first discovered these with my 5th baby and was shocked how easy it was to learn his potty cues, save on diapering laundry, and potty train him as a young toddler.  To find out more information google Elimination Communication. 

Mesh Bed Rail–While my babies are still nursing round the clock (for about a year) they sleep with me.  A mesh bed rail, makes sure baby doesn’t fall out of bed.  I like to keep baby on the outside of the bed to help prevent suffocation or being rolled over on by my husband who sleeps more soundly than I do.  We have found co-sleeping to be the safest way to raise our new babies, but before making a decision on that, you should research the risk factors and know your own sleeping habits.  The benefits for me are more sleep,  longer break from fertility, and a strong milk supply. 

If you decide not to cosleep, you will need a crib and mattress with 3 crib sheets, puddle pads, and waterproof mattress pads.  If you’d like to make your own crib sheets, try these instructions.  Using 2 layers of wool interlock to make your waterproof mattress pad (sew it just like the fitted sheet) will elminate chemicals in the bedding, is fire resistant, and may block the outgassing of fire redardant chemicals in the crib mattress that are linked to sudden infant crib death when baby is placed on the tummy to sleep. 

Rocking Chair–It is worth it to sacrifice what you have to, to get a comfortable rocking chair.  Slip cover an ugly one, find it used at a garage sale or on craigslist or sell enough of your possessions to buy one new.  You will use one the entire life of your baby and with your grandchildren too. 

Place to store baby’s clothes.  Since we are starting to get cramped in our house, I got rid of enough of my own clothes to empty a drawer for baby.  This will work fine until he is ready to move into the room with his brother.  If you have a nursery, you may want to get a dresser for baby that he can grow with.