When you first find out that you are pregnant, there is always a rush of emotions. You might feel scared or worried, or you might feel ecstatic and start calling family to spread the news as soon as you see that positive mark on the pregnancy test.
After that rush of emotions fades into the background, you’re then left with the task of preparing for the baby’s new arrival. It can seem tempting to start buying everything cute that you see at the store, but that is not the way to prepare for a new baby. This ultimate guide will help you make sure that you are prepared and give you a few awesome pointers on what to do, or not to do, as you consider when to start buying baby stuff.
In this article
Before the Fourth Month is Bad Luck
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If you’re superstitious, it’s best to wait until after the first trimester to start shopping for the new baby. The tale states that shopping for the baby or accepting gifts for the baby during the first trimester can lead to a miscarriage. This is, of course, unfounded and superstition.
Personally, I bought my grandson baby things as well as my children, and there were no miscarriages. Others I’ve talked to were too scared to tempt fate with baby shopping before the fourth month. Carefully decide which category you fall into as you decide when to start buying baby stuff.
Plan Before Deciding When to Start Buying Baby Stuff
Before you start shopping, it’s important to plan what you will buy. If you rush out to buy a baby monitor without doing research, you might wind with buyer’s remorse after reading product reviews for other baby monitors, for example. Instead, make a comprehensive list of what the baby will need and consider all your options. Things to consider before splurging on baby gear include:
- Breastfeeding or formula
- Type of bottles that will be used
- Nursery themes
- Current research on car seat safety
- Lifestyle (parents that have a more active lifestyle might prefer a jogging stroller over one that is bulkier)
- Whether you will be co-sleeping
Every parent is different, and so are their preferences. Take the time to decide what will work best for you as a parent so that you buy things that will go with your lifestyle and parenting style.
Don’t Plan to Buy A lot of One Thing
While planning what to buy, it’s important to remember that you should not stockpile one single thing for the baby. Babies do not follow a plan. One may be allergic to specific diapers, another one may only latch on to a specific type of nipple, and there are babies that must have a specific type of formula. If you only have one specific thing, such as one type of bottle, you are going to spend more money when the baby comes, and you discover that he will not take that type of bottle.
Here’s an example. My grandson was set to be born on his due date. We had the Playtex bottles, a few Dr. Brown bottles and a few misc. bottles as well. In the cabinet were various forms of Gerber Soothe, the type of formula he would be drinking. Then, he came five weeks early. The Playtex bottles with their wonderful disposable liners are still on the shelf in lieu of the Dr. Brown’s bottles because he has to eat while laying on his side and requires the longer nipple to accommodate that. The Gerber Soothe is also still on its shelf because he will be drinking Similac Neosure for the next four months. Buy a variety of brands of diapers, wipes, etc. while you’re shopping to make sure you don’t wind up with a stockpile of diapers that you can’t use.
Baby Showers Play A Role in When to Start Buying Baby Stuff
If you are planning to have a baby shower, you might not need to buy as many things for your baby. Most people start a baby registry early on and have an idea of how many guests will be at the baby shower. Diaper raffles are an ever-popular trend to help new parents with the never ending supply of diapers that they need, too.
Related Article: How Many Wipes And Diapers Does A Baby Use Per Month And Year
If you already know that a few hundred people will be at the baby shower, you can save some of the necessities for that, such as the boxes of baby wipes or a baby bathtub. Make sure that you have extra money put aside in case things don’t happen the way you planned, though.
On the other hand, if you are not planning to have a baby shower or would prefer a smaller gathering, you should start shopping sooner instead of depending on baby shower gifts. Think about whether you can depend on your baby shower to help you decide when to start buying baby stuff.
Start Early
When to start buying baby stuff can be as simple as when you are ready to start shopping. It’s never too early. Starting early and taking your time will help you make sure that your baby has everything it needs while simultaneously saving you a lot of time and money.
Shop While You’re Out
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Most people love to stop and look at baby stuff while they are already at the store, so seize that opportunity to pick up a few baby things a week while you’re running errands. This might make your shopping trip a little longer, but it will save you from having to spend days shopping when it is closer to the due date and you’re pregnant enough to be uncomfortable being on your feet for hours.
When to Start Buying Baby Stuff Can Depend on Finances
Starting early gives you a chance to find amazing deals. Simply browsing the local clearance section while weekly shopping or looking at the local store’s ads when they come out can let you know about ways that you can save money. When you start shopping late, you’re usually in such a rush to buy everything for the baby that you don’t have time to do that. Because of that, you’ll wind up spending more money than you have to.
Minimize Stress
If you’re on a budget, it can be overwhelming to think of all the things that a baby will need. Starting early can help minimize that stress. You might not have thousands to spend on baby gear, but you can buy plenty of things that your baby needs with just forty bucks per week. Each week spend a little money on the baby. By the time the due date arrives, you’ll have the majority of what you both need and want, and you won’t feel stressed as you prepare for the arrival of the baby.
When to start buying baby stuff depends on you and your individual needs. Some people need to break shopping up into smaller purchases while others will be content spending a weekend splurging. Remember the things noted above as you decide when to start buying baby stuff. It’s all about you, your preferences and when you are ready.
