7 Tips on How to Save Money With Baby: Clothes Edition

Save Money with Baby: Newborn and Infant Clothes

Babies can be expensive: diapers, cars seats, strollers, pumps, formula, bassinets and cribs. But today, we’re going to show you how to save money with baby clothes.

The first year of your baby’s life can be a blur. For many, the first few months consisted of feeding the baby, changing the baby, snuggling with the baby, and putting the baby down for a nap💤. Then one day your baby starts getting bigger and quickly outgrows the cute clothes you thought they’d be wearing for much longer. Here are my tips on how to save money with baby clothes👖.

1. Reach out to your network

The first tip on how to save money with baby starts before the baby arrives. Once you find out you’re having a baby and are ready to share the news with the world, put the word out in your network that you are looking for baby clothes. In the same breath that people are singing their congratulations to you, find out if they know anyone who has baby clothes they don’t need.

You’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to part ways with the pinks, yellows, greens and blues. Many will be happy to know the items are going to a friend, or a friend of a friend. Others will be relieved to have extra room in the closet.

Understandably, there will be some moms who aren’t finished growing their family and therefore want to hang on to their baby’s clothes. Don’t let that discourage you; there are plenty of other ways to save money on baby clothes.

If you’re not having much luck, have you asked your mom friends from the neighborhood? Mom friends from daycare? How about your mom friends from your place of worship? Don’t forget about your childhood friends or co-worker friends who are now moms. What about your stay at home mom crew?

Once you have established your go-to sources for baby clothes, pay it forward. Pass along your baby’s clothes to a mom who could benefit from an act of kindness. She’ll appreciate that you helped her save money on baby clothes!

2. Shop a Sale

The second tip on how to save money with baby requires you to shop a seasonal sale. During holiday weekends, many children’s retail stores will have massive sales online and in-store.

An easy way to save money on baby clothes is to head straight to the clearance section and stock up on baby essentials–onesies, zip-up footed pajamas, socks, shorts, pants and shirts.

Do you live in a climate with one season? Consider yourself lucky. Buy as many larger sizes as you can afford since the time of year won’t determine what type of clothing your baby will be wearing. If you live in a climate with multiple seasons, make sure to do the math to figure out if it will be hot or cold when your baby is 6 months…9 months…12 months, etc.

Is your child is in daycare? If so, stock up on the outfits that say, “My First Valentine’s Day or My First St. Patrick’s Day”. Ditto for holiday themed accessories like socks. Those seasonal items will be the extra clothes you keep at school. When your child is sent home in them, those holiday greetings will always remind you to return them back to where they belong– school.

3. Back to School Savings

The third tip on how to save money with baby will have you checking your calendar. In late July – early August, about 1/3rd of the states in the U.S. offer a tax-free weekend. This is your chance to save money on baby clothes, shoes, and accessories. Since some daycares require you bring in an extra pair of shoes, it is a good time to stock up on baby footwear. But before you check out, look to see if your favorite retailer has in-app coupons that you can apply, as well.

4. Have a Baby Registry (include larger sizes)

Our fourth tip on how to save money with baby is using something you already have: a baby registry. Baby registries are one of the easiest ways to save money on baby clothes. Most moms do a great job registering for essentials for baby’s first year but don’t usually add anything to the list that a baby would need after they hit 12 months.

Keep in mind that some 6 month babies are wearing 9-12 month clothing, so be sure to register for larger sizes up through and including 24 months and 2T. When it comes to the size of your baby, you just never know.🤷🏾‍♀️

5. Resale Shops

Our fifth tip on how to save money with baby is to ask your mom friends about their experiences with resale shops. You’ll never realize how selective some resale shops are until you try to sell your barely worn kids clothes to them and they won’t accept them.🤣

With that being said, if having your baby wear hand-me-downs gives you the heebie jeebies, purchase unworn items you love with the tags still on them.

6. Have a number in your head

Our sixth tip on how to save money with baby is to create a budget and stick to it. Know the maximum amount of money you would be willing to pay for a onesie; an outfit; a pair of socks, etc. That way, when stores offer sales on a 6 pack of socks, you can see if their price falls within your budget.

Don’t be caught off guard because items are bundled or because they’re advertised as the ‘lowest price of the season’ or because you’re shopping at an off-price retailer. You want to save money on baby clothes, so do some back of the napkin math, and be the saavy shopper you’ve been training to be!

7. All clothes have potential

Our final tip on how to save money with baby is recognizing that all clothes have potential. If you receive an item of clothing that you don’t love and can’t be returned, put it in your ‘experimentation’ pile. This is the clothing you select when your baby eats spaghetti with red sauce, finger paints, splashes in mud puddles, or engages in other ‘messy’ activities. Your favorite onesie which got stained when your baby tried mangoes for the first time, can also go into this pile. Remember, everything has a purpose!

Also, if you have the Target app, this next (bonus) tip for how to save money with baby, is gold:

Target sells a brand, Cat & Jack, whose clothes come with a quality guarantee. So if you purchase an item that doesn’t last for 1 year (item tears, is worn out, zipper breaks, etc), you can return it for a full refund if you have a receipt (or receive a store credit if you don’t).

All Target purchases are automatically stored on the app so you can easily pull up receipts by date. So if you combine this tip with tips 2, 3, and 4, you’ll really be able to maximize how to save money with baby.

Final Thoughts On How to Save Money With Baby: Clothes Edition

Now that you’ve gotten to the end, I’m sure you’re excited to start trying out some of these ideas!

If you’ve decided to tackle shopping first, remember that when you shop and where you shop can really make a difference in how to save money with baby clothes. Shop a seasonal sale, take advantage of tax free week, and familiarize yourself with your favorite brand’s money back guarantee. And don’t forget to check out the super picky resale shops.

If your strategy is to leverage your network first, spread the word about your new addition once you feel comfortable and remember your ask. Remember, with the holidays quickly approaching a lot of your mom friends are probably focusing on refreshing their kids’ wardrobes. Asking for hand-me-downs is an easy strategy to execute when it comes to how to save money with baby clothes.

And don’t forget to constantly update your baby registry. Add ALL the sizes. Eventually your baby will grow into it. And if you get an item that wasn’t on your registry don’t despair: use it when your baby is trying out solids or finger painting or any other messy activity.

Now that you’re an expert on how to save money with baby clothes, it’s time to set your sights on your next challenge.

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