Some tips on Shopping for your New Baby (Especially when on a Budget)

Butch and I have started shopping for Nigel’s stuff two weeks ago. We still have a lot to buy. But here are some tips I could share in shopping for new born babies.

1. Make a list of the basic things the baby will need. If you’re a first time mom like me, ask the help of your mommy friends or relatives.

2. Ask friends and relatives if they have baby stuff they can give you like crib, clothes, toys etc. As for me, my sister is going to give me her bottle sterilizer, receiving blankets and some age specific toys. This is going to save me a lot of money.

3. Invest on things that the baby will be using for a long time like milk bottles. Do not splurge on clothes or shoes, the baby will outgrow it soon.

*Speaking of baby bottles, make sure that the bottles are BPA free. BPA or Bisphenol-A is a chemical found in plastics used in making water and baby bottles. BPA can cause infertility, hyperactivity and cancer and is most harmful to newborn and unborn babies. When a feeding bottle has BPA, it leaks to the baby formula enabling the infant to ingest it. I have a good blogger friend Enid to thank for this advice. Most major brands like Avent and Chicco already have BPA free bottles. But at the store, Evenflo was the only brand I saw that had the "without BPA" label.

4. When shopping, compare prices and quality of products. Some stores display the products according to brand. Do not let the sales personnel sway you into buying all their recommendations. Look around first, and then pick the most reasonably-priced.

If you mommies out there have other tips to share feel free to leave a comment. A first time mom like need all the help I can get =)