How To Have A Baby On A Tight Budget
In these times of pandemic, job loss and widespread unemployment, many of us might be thinking there’s no way we can afford a baby right now. But, if you’ve found yourself pregnant and part of the COVID Baby Boom, you are not alone. And if you simply want to have a baby, but worry about the cost--have no fear. Lucky for you, us broke folks have been having babies since before time began, and we have plenty of money-saving tips to share. There are definitely ways to have a baby on a budget.
We’ve broken this information down into three main categories:
-Actually Having the Baby
-Clothing the Baby
-Feeding the Baby
Because when someone says “having a baby on a budget,” they could be referring to one of many aspects of the baby. One that we didn’t even cover here could be fertility treatment costs. These costs and many others can all be related to having a baby. So could college expenses down the road, if you think about it!
Though for the sake of this article, we’ve narrowed down the discussion to the above-mentioned categories. Actually Having the Baby relates to the expenses of prenatal care, as well as labor and delivery. These “up-front” costs, as you will, are some of the first expenses an expectant mother will incur when it comes to her baby.
Next comes Clothing the Baby. Oftentimes, mothers will start buying clothing before the baby arrives. Obviously, they’re going to need something to wear once they join the world! The question is: how many clothes do you buy ahead of time? Where do you buy them from? This section covers all of these questions on buying baby clothes on a budget.
The last section covers feeding the baby and how to feed your baby on a budget. Whether you breastfeed or feed your baby formula, it costs money. Read this section to hear why breastfeeding can be expensive, and learn a little more about how to feed your baby when you are on a budget.
ACTUALLY HAVING THE BABY:
- Use the Right Insurance
When talking about having a baby on a budget, we have to address the one of the biggest costs associated with babies: the delivery. Yep, just when you think that all of the things on your baby registry are going to cost you an arm and a leg - you might be surprised by a giant hospital bill. The key is to not be surprised.
If you are eligible for state benefits like Medicaid, then please look into that. Depending on your income and overall eligibility, Medicaid and other programs can pay for a large portion of labor and delivery costs. Sometimes, they will pay for most of, if not all of the cost. You can check your availability online by searching for “Medicaid” and then the name of the state you live in. Make sure to do this as early as possible to allow for processing time and acceptance into the program, as they often require documentation be sent in. With COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic, many government programs are running at half-speed, and workers are clocking in from home. So, processing time might be quite a bit slower than usual. Plus, the sooner you get it in, the sooner you can start getting coverage. Prenatal visits aren’t cheap either! Take whatever help you can get.
Know your insurance and research all of the costs associated with labor and delivery: including the cost of any epidurals or other interventions. Then, make sure you choose an in-network hospital to deliver your baby at. Though there are many reasons to not be traveling around your due date, this is definitely one of them. You don’t want to be in a different state or a different town when you go into labor! Having to rush to the nearest hospital might be something you see on television quite often, it’s definitely not the ideal situation for a peaceful delivery.
So, if possible, stay around home and make sure you can get to your chosen hospital and see the doctor you’ve been seeing at your prenatal visits. Trust us: having a stranger at your child’s birth isn’t the best. Plus, the hospital might charge way more than you are expecting. You can avoid these extra stressors by staying the course and sticking to your birth plan as much as possible. That being said, babies can often surprise us! So if your delivery ends up taking the biggest slice of your baby budget pie, don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of other ideas for ways to save money. After all, you are here to find out how to have a baby on a budget!
- When Considering Pre and Postnatal Care, Consider a Midwife
Did you know that most midwives cost less than regular obstetricians? It’s true! So if you are considering having an unmedicated birth anyway, and are healthy and without previous pregnancy complications, look into seeing a midwife. In all states, they are required to have completed a nursing program. So, there’s no need to worry about your midwife not having the medical qualifications necessary--because they all do!
CLOTHING THE BABY:
One of the things that you’ll need once the baby arrives is clothing. But clothing, unlike food, is one of those baby items that you will have started thinking about early on in the pregnancy. After all, you are most likely nesting and can’t resist the urge to fill up that closet with baby stuff. Heck, you might be eager to stock up for the whole first year!
- Use Hand-Me-Downs from Older Children
Veteran moms, however, might have saved their older children’s clothes for this very purpose: having a baby on a budget. Saving clothes to be used as hand-me-downs is a great way to save money. Particularly if you have two kids of the same gender, that is. If you are a first time mom, make sure to keep this in mind. Any baby clothes that make it through without too much wear and tear should definitely be stored away for another day, if you already know you are going to want another baby.
- Thrift Shopping
The next best thing to using old clothes that your older children have worn, is to buy clothes that someone else’s older children have already worn! When you shop at thrift stores such as Once Upon a Child, Salvation Army, and Goodwill, you can save 50% on retail price, or sometimes way more than that.
Name brand and boutique baby clothing labels can be surprisingly overpriced -- and almost as expensive as your own clothes, for a fraction of the fabric. Some moms might refuse to buy retail just for the principle alone! But if you are looking to have a baby on a budget, buying secondhand is going to be perfect for you. Plus, it’s fun! Thrifting can be an exciting way to find and discover brands you like. And many like it for the thrill of the hunt -- you never know what you might find. Heck, if you are at a thrift store that sells adult clothes, too, you might find some nice second hand toys, furniture, or even some clothes for yourself!
FEEDING THE BABY:
And last but not least, you are going to need to feed your baby. While many moms don’t wait until after the baby’s born to figure out the food situation, those who already know they will be using formula might already be stocked up and aware of their budget situation.
Most moms, though, will begin with breastfeeding. Which is absolutely free. Kind of. Breastfeeding does come with its share of expenses, such as nursing bras, nursing tanks, nursing pads, lactation supplements, likely an influx in snacks and calories consumed, and, if you think about it, your water bill might go up a little. Breastmilk does not come out of fabric very well, so you might be washing clothes, bras, and even your sheets a little more than usual those first few weeks as you get used to your supply.
Breastfeeding is free, it is less expensive than formula. So, one way to have a baby on a budget is to breastfeed. Throwing this out here so you know you need support in order to successfully breastfeed. And even if it doesn’t happen as long as you want it to — don’t beat yourself up. Another way to feed when you are having a baby on a budget is to get samples of the formula you are using. Many companies send out samples if you enter your email address on their website. While for any other product, we would recommend buying the cheapest or best value option, formula is a little different. Talk to your pediatrician if you are switching to formula and always choose the best brand and type of formula that’s best for your child. Even if it means cutting into your budget elsewhere--your baby’s nutritional needs should be top priority.
We hope we’ve covered most of your questions on how to have a baby on a budget. Are we missing anything? Reach out to us and let us know! We’d love to hear from you!
