1. Accept Hand-Me-Downs

Don’t be too proud to accept second hand goods, the money you save can be used to buy other baby products. Alternatively put the savings into a trust fund, your baby will be pleased you did when they turn eighteen.

2. Don’t Go On A Spending Spree

As tempting as it may be, it’s not a good idea. You are likely to receive many gifts after your baby is born, wait, and then buy extras when you can see exactly what you need. There are only so many babygros and towels your baby needs.

3. Bargain Hunt

Search for bargains on Ebay, Freecycle and Babywear Exchange.

4. Baby Basics

Buy your baby basics (vests, babygros etc..) from supermarkets. If you’re in the UK, Tesco, Asda and Sainburys do a great job of these. Any suggestions for baby basics in the US?

5. One Pram Only

Buy one pram that adjusts for different ages.

6. Baby Food

Make your own. The cost of making your own is a fraction of what it costs to buy a jar.

7. Milk

If you’re bottle-feeding use powder milk rather than ready-made. If you can breastfeed, do so (but only if you want to!)

8. Cheap Days Out

Don’t waste money on lavish days out that your baby won’t remember. Instead utilise museums and galleries with free entrance, save the big trips until your baby is at least a toddler and can take it in.

9. Call To Arms For Knitters

Ask knitters to knit blankets and jumpers, you could offer to provide the wool.

10. Sterilizer

Buy a cheap microwave sterilizer rather than the fancy gadgets on the market, they do the same job and can’t break down.

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Since becoming a parent I have been quite surprised how much intervention there has been from health professionals.

So far it has gone something like this;

Midwife help in hospital, midwife visits for up to ten days after hospital, several health visits, several weigh-ins, 6 week check with doctor and health visitor, more weigh ins, three lots of jabs, a depression questionnaire carried out in my home and I have another visit to my home next week regarding weaning. Not to mention the monitoring of feeding, pooing, sleeping and everythingelse she does….

I suppose a lot of people may like this hand holding approach, but personally one of the reasons we had Erin was to provide new challenges, different experiences and the requirement to learn, master and make mistakes (within reason of course).

Is it just me or do other people feel that the level of intervention detracts from the enjoyment and challenge of parenting?