Welcoming a new arrival to your family is a wonderful experience. But babies are a costly blessing. Buying basic supplies can involve expensive and exhausting shopping trips. We know that you want to spend as much time as possible getting to know your newborn, not trailing around stores trying to find best value baby items. SaveaFewBob.ie want to help you save time and money so we’ve put together a list of essential baby products, showing you where to find the best deals online and offline.

1.Clothes

Baby clothes are cuter than ever but refrain from blowing your whole budget on baby grows and socks! Newborns outgrow their clothes very quickly. If possible, avail of second hand items from family and friends. If your bundle of joy is the first child on the scene, shop online. There are some great websites that specialise in providing beautiful pieces of baby clothing for low prices.

Remember, if you buy a size bigger (say 3-6 months) bear in mind what season it will be when the baby can actually wear the item. There’s no point in kitting your little girl out in a summer dress during the winter months. Savvy parents should also consider selling pieces of outgrown clothing online. The money you make may cover replacement items!

Price range: 99c upwards
Best value providers: Rollercoaster, eBay

2.Pushchair

Babies seem to have it easy. They are fed, clothed and transported, passing on the fee to you. What a fee it can be. Pushchairs range widely in price, style and function. You should select a pushchair based on your lifestyle, as well as your baby’s needs. Are you looking for a lightweight stroller or first class features? Are you and your baby going to travel often? Do you use public transport or a car?

Like any mode of transport, it’s important to test drive your pushchair before making a purchasing decision. If you are unable to try out a buggy in-store, get other parents’ advice. Find out which strollers are dependable and easiest to use. Online forums are a great way to engage with other parents and to learn from their experiences, good and bad!

Price range: €25-€400
Best online parent forum: Eumom
Best value pushchair providers: Baby Depot, Mothercare

3.Cot

A cot is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make for your baby. Again, buying a new cot can prove to be a costly task. We suggest looking for second hand editions. Consider size when you begin your search; this will narrow your focus. A larger cot may be more practical as it will accommodate your baby into the toddling years. Lengthening the life of your cot means you won’t have to fork out more money on a second cot to suit the needs of your growing bundle of joy. If you are thinking about buying a second hand cot, ensure that it meets current safety standards.

Price range: €30-€500
Best value providers: eBay, Done Deal

4.Moses Basket

For the first few weeks, you can ensure your tot sleeps well in a Moses Basket. Some people do not feel a Moses Basket represents good value for money since you use it for a short period of time. For others, a Moses Basket is invaluable. Some babies seem to like the security of the basket, while other babies seem to find it restrictive. Every baby is different. Buying a basic Moses Basket may be the most affordable option.

Price range: €40- €100
Best value providers: Argos, Baby Depot

5.Car seat

Investing in a quality car seat is vital to protecting your baby. Car seats can be expensive but if you purchase a well made model, it is a one off, invaluable investment. Consider which cars you might use the car seat in? Is your chosen car seat compatible with these cars?

Before you buy a car seat, make sure that it fits in your car. Also, ask for advice on how to install it properly. Don’t buy a second-hand car seat as you can’t be sure that it hasn’t been damaged or weakened in some way.

Price range: €50-€300
Best value providers: Mothercare, Tony Kealy’s

6.High chair

Once your child is able to support themselves, you’ll be able to sit them in high chair. Like most baby items, there are many variations of the item; combination, multi-functional, folding, convertible and more. A convertible high chair is a good long term investment, as the name suggests this model can be adjusted and transformed into a normal chair. Again, safety is the single most important factor when deciding on a high chair. Ease of use and cleaning are also important decision making factors.

Price range: €40-€300
Best value providers: Bella Baby, Amazon

7.Changing station

Changing your baby’s nappy is an unavoidable, frequent chore. A changing station is extremely convenient, not to mention a fantastic back saver. There are many styles of changing units available and an even greater array of accessories. It’s most important to select a changing station that is both sturdy and safe. Your decision may also be influenced by space. If you are looking for a unit to fit a small space, a combination table may be most suitable. If you are not restricted by space but rather want to find a unit to suit your décor, antique stores are a great place to find beautiful changing tables that will add rather than detract from your home.

Price range: €20 - €200
Best value providers: Baby Depot, eBay

8.Baby bottles

Buying a quality bottle is important for your baby. A good baby bottle can prevent common problems associated with bottles such as an upset stomach. There is some debate surrounding the safety of plastic bottles. Recent research showed that some plastic bottles contain a potentially harmful chemical. Glass bottles are a great money saver since they are easily washed and sterilised. However, glass bottles pose an obvious threat if they fall and break. Like most baby basics, choice is determined by parental preference. In our opinion, Avent make great plastic bottles, particularly for breastfeeding mothers who need to use bottles. Glass bottles are more difficult to locate. You can order them online from Baby Born Free or Baby Beginnings.

Price range: €3-€30 (depending on make and number of bottles)
Best value providers: Mothercare

9.Play mat

Babies need to be entertained, as well as cared for. Play mats provide great distraction even before he or she is able to sit up or stand. Play mats feature plenty activities to keep your newborn content, including bright colours, mirrors and toys. It’s worth investing in a quality play mat as it will keep your child entertained from birth through to toddler years.

Price range: €15-€70
Best value providers: Amazon, Argos

10.Bouncy chair

Bouncers also serve as a great way to entertain your baby boy or girl. A bouncer may also help some babies fall asleep. A bouncy seat acts as a lifesaver for parents whose baby needs a rocking motion to fall asleep.

Price range: €30-€150
Best value providers: Baby Biz

Tags: Add new tag, baby essentials, children, family, shopping tips

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 2:59 pm and is filed under Creche and babycare, Family Spending, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.