Knowing that there's a new baby on the way can do a lot to jumpstart you into action. With baby number two percolating in the pot, this "action" for me started by way of a "new baby checklist".
While I'm not saying that a checklist will help me plan for every situation, cost, or supply needed for our new baby's arrival, it can go a long way in helping me lay out a plan of attack for how to tackle our preparations and help us save some money in the process.
Products
My first step in creating a baby checklist was going through and compiling a list of products that we'll need. Since this is baby number two for us, this process is slightly easier because not only do we have a general idea of what we'll need, but also because we have certain items like a crib, changing table, and certain other bigger ticket items and toys left over from our first child.
Nevertheless, there are certain things that we will need to go out and purchase again as the items from round number one have taken such a beating that they're just too far gone to withstand the use and abuse that comes with another little one. With most of these items, since we're not willing to chance unknown flaws or recalls endangering our little one, we'll likely be buying new.
Here are some of the major product items (and associated costs) on our baby product checklist:
- Stroller -- $100 (we might consider going used on this one -- not sure yet)- Infant car seat -- $100-$150 (no chancing it for us on this one; it will be new)
- Playard -- $100-$150
- Changing pad & covers -- $20-$30
- Activity center -- $50-$90
- Diaper bag - $40-$50
- Diaper pail -- $20-$40
- Swing - $100-$180
And the list is on-going as new items or needs come to mind.
Supplies
Of course there will be a variety of supplies that will come with a fresh-faced addition to our family and that will add costs to our budget over a lengthy period of time. Since it's been about three years since we've had to deal with buying such supplies, it will again be time to head out and start comparison shopping at local stores to get a feel for prices and price changes since we had baby number one.
Such a supply list will entail prices for items such as:
- Diapers- Formula
- Baby wipes
- Food
- Bottles
- Pacifiers
- Wash clothes
- Corn starch (we use it as a natural replacement for baby powder)
Costs and Budgeting
Once I have a better feel of usage levels for our newborn (since I have no doubt he or she will have different needs than that of our first), I can begin to build a better budget for our baby as I get a feel for how supplies are being consumed on a regular basis.
Doing this with our first child gave me a change to calculate things like diaper, formula and baby wipe usage on a daily and weekly level. This allowed us to stay well stocked and purchase items when on sale, but not be left with excessive amounts of leftovers when our little guy moved up to a new diaper size or on to real food.
Leftovers
I am also in the process of building an inventory of what we have left and can rely upon from baby number one. This forms the last portion of my new baby checklist.
Of course making a final determination of what we can use, and in what capacity, will have to wait a bit until we know the sex of our new baby. If it's a boy, we'll be in good shape since we saved several storage containers of our first son's clothing, blankets, and similar items. If it's a girl, we might be heading out to the resale shops in search of new items. Either way, having an idea of what we have available in the way of leftovers can help us make better use of what we already have and keep us from over-buying on new stuff.
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