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Raising Baby Without Going Broke

Cost-saving Techniques for the First Year

To ensure your child's safety, educate yourself. Check out what Consumer Reports has to say about the various brands and models, talk to other parents and decide what you want. Then shop reputable stores for the best price on that particular item. Expect to spend around $300 on a crib (not including the mattress, which can cost another $100) and up to $100 on a car seat.

The rest of Baby's furniture can be purchased new or used, according to your preference. Just make sure that any used furniture isn't painted with lead-based paints. You don't need a separate changing table, just use a padded surface on top of Baby's dresser, or even the floor. Safety straps shouldn't be necessary on a changing table, because you'll never walk away from the table while Baby is on it, right?

Then, of course, there are diapers. Cloth diapers can be just as expensive as disposables if you use a service. If you launder them yourself, though, cloth diapers can save you money in the long run. Costs can vary widely from service to service and state to state, so it's difficult to estimate costs. Talk to other mothers, and decide what feels best to you.

Bathing Baby is relatively inexpensive. You can spend about $20 on an infant tub or simply take Baby into the bath with you. Extras like thermometers to test water temperature aren't really necessary – your elbow is more reliable. Baby soaps and shampoos cost about the same as grown-up versions and are gentle on Baby's sensitive skin. In the first few months, you don't need to bathe Baby every single night, so a bottle of liquid baby soap should last you several months.

Want to see more?

• Top 10 Baby Bargains
• Tips for Making Your Own Baby Food
• Baby's Layette: 9 Tips for Buying the Basics
• Anticipating Baby: The Unexpected Costs of Having a Baby
• Talk about it!

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