11 Ways to Save Money on Baby Gear

The cost of raising a baby is only rising, and while you can budget during pregnancy and minimize your registry to focus on just the essentials, the big-ticket items like cribs and car seats are going to cost you. Throw in the products you’ll have on repeat (like diapers, wipes and formula), and it can add up.

But having a baby—and all the gear that comes with them—doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. There are a lot of simple ways to save money on baby gear. We’re sharing our top ways to save a few dollars, including where to rake in the freebies and the best times of the year to buy must-have baby gear (like a car seat). 

1. Claim your freebies

A lot of baby brands routinely offer freebies on worthwhile products. There are lots of ways to get all kinds of free baby stuff when you’re pregnant and after you’ve had your baby.

• A baby registry box is a box filled with samples for you and your new arrival that you can get by signing up for a baby registry at various retailers. The contents of these boxes vary, but examples include things like swaddles, pacifiers, diaper samples, baby shampoo, nursing pads, laundry detergent and lots more. While you may not use or need everything, there will likely be plenty of items you’ll like, and they may even help you discover a new product or two. Babylist offers a welcome box that’s filled with samples from brands that we love and trust. Other big box retailers, like Amazon and Target (has to be picked up in-store) also have free welcome kits and boxes; just be sure to follow the specific directions on each site when you sign up.

• Use rewards programs to access free samples, discounts and other goodies for things like baby formula and diapers. Formula brands Enfamil, Similac and Gerber all have rewards programs. Some diaper brands also have discounted sample packs available so you can try them before you buy (Dyper and Honest are examples). You can also always check with your pediatrician and OB to see if they have free samples. In my experience as a serial rewards membership subscriber, it’s best to stick to one or two programs per category to build up points and get the best experience. 

• Don’t be shy about taking lots of products from the hospital if that’s where you’re giving birth. Hospitals are often well stocked with baby items like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, pacifiers and more, plus things for birthing parents like pads, disposable mesh underwear, perineal spray, breast pads and other postpartum products.

2. Use your registry discounts

Most baby registries offer a completion discount—a coupon that can be used on unpurchased items that are still on your registry for a certain window of time. Most registry completion discounts are around 15 percent (like Babylist’s) and are a great way to stock up on the items you need at a reduced price if you haven’t already been gifted them. Just be sure to pay attention to the specific timeframe so you don’t miss your discount window. You can use your discount strategically, saving it for an item that's higher priced and unlikely to go on sale (think high-end brands like Nuna and BabyBjörn) or on a product you can use in the future, like a high chair or convertible car seat.

3. Embrace minimalism

It's easy to get swept up by all of the baby gear out there and think you need it all. But the truth is that you only need a few things for your baby. If you’re looking to save money on baby gear, start by taking stock of what you actually need to care for your baby comfortably. Keep it minimal and stick to the basics: a safe place to sleep like a crib or a bassinet, a car seat, diapers, clothing (not a ton) and a few bottles and some formula if you won’t be breastfeeding or if you plan on supplementing.

A few other money-saving tips:

• Don’t want to spend on a pricey crib? A playard with a bassinet attachment can be used from day one all the way through the toddler years, and it works for travel, too.

• Choose an audio monitor or another budget-friendly pick instead of a video or WiFi monitor. They’re much cheaper and still get the job done.

• Opt for a travel system instead of a separate car seat + stroller—this combo deal is often less expensive than buying each item individually.

• Choose one “baby holder” (swing, bouncer, infant lounger, etc.), as that’s really all you need.

• You don’t have to splurge on special baby detergent. Any free-and-clear option is fine to use for washing baby clothes.

• Instead of shopping for baby clothing piece by piece, look for a layette set and check all the basics off of your list at once.

4. Register smartly

Your registry should be filled with baby products that fit your lifestyle and include everything you want and need to comfortably care for your baby. For example, if you're a globetrotter and plan on taking your baby along for the ride, a travel stroller is a worthwhile product to add to your registry. On the other hand, if you plan to have one child or a large age gap, you can skip the converting strollers that can simultaneously accommodate a toddler and a baby.

Also, consider what's valuable to you. While a bottle washer might seem like an extra product that technically isn’t necessary, if you’re navigating babyhood with minimal time, being able to automate cleaning your baby’s bottles could be a lifesaver.

By keeping these points in mind, you can curate a registry that truly reflects your future life as a parent, saving you money in the long run. If you don’t know where to start figuring out what to register for, we have a baby registry checklist to get you started.

5. Stock up on secondhand

So much baby gear has a limited window of use because, as your baby grows, their needs change and they outgrow many of the products they use regularly. A swing, for example, is the perfect spot for your baby to chill while you get other things done, but between six and nine months, the swing will be a less desirable place to hang as your baby learns to sit up, roll over and attempt to climb out of the swing. The same goes for lots of other big-ticket baby items like a bassinet, most baby containers and even some types of swaddles. Plus, babies will need a new wardrobe several times in their first year as they grow out of clothes in the blink of an eye. 

Buying used baby gear is a budget-friendly strategy you can start before your baby is even born. You’ll need to know where to shop, though, and what baby gear is safe to buy used and what isn’t.

• Facebook swap groups and Marketplace are two of the best destinations for gently used baby gear. Swap groups are usually local to your area and run by other parents, while Facebook manages Marketplace and covers a larger geographic area.

• Online marketplaces like OfferUp sell gently used children’s gear and clothing, and you can trade in your child’s outgrown clothes for new ones with a Swoondle membership. You can stock up on gently used baby clothes from places like ThredUp (there’s a dedicated kids’ section) and Ebay’s baby section, which has a host of baby items, from baby shoes to toys.

• GoodBuy Gear is an online resale marketplace for high-quality baby gear. Unlike other online sellers, GoodBuy’s gear experts inspect and clean all items before listing them and never sell recalled items. They also sell open-box items from popular brands.

Here’s what to keep in mind from a safety perspective when shopping for used baby gear:

• Gear like strollers, baby carriers, playards, swings, bouncers, activity centers and play gyms, infant seats, nursery furniture like a glider or a dresser, baby bathtubs, baby clothes, toys and books are all good secondhand buys. If you’re buying used gear, always check for recalls and be sure the item is structurally sound before purchasing. Also, always give everything a good scrub before using it with your baby. 

• If you’re into vintage baby gear, check to make sure none of the components have been banned because of safety concerns. (I was given a drop-side crib in 2012 and the drop mechanism was banned just the year before, which I didn’t know.)

• It’s not recommended to buy car seats, cribs or crib mattresses secondhand. Car seats may have been involved in a crash (or even dropped) without you knowing and may be structurally compromised—even the safest infant car seats shouldn’t be used after a crash. Cribs and crib mattresses are both held to very high (and constantly evolving) safety standards and tend to weaken and sag over time. It’s best to buy all of these products new.

6. Consider a rental

Did you know you can rent baby gear (especially the really expensive kind)? If you need a specific item for a short, one-time window of use—think a travel high chair or a super lightweight travel crib, for example, or even a bundle of beach toys—it may be more cost-effective to rent rather than buy, especially if you don’t think you’ll ever use those items again. It’s also convenient; depending on your location, many baby gear rental companies deliver the items right to your door. (Some even ship.) BabyQuip, Baby’s Away and Rents4baby are three good options to check out.

You can also rent out the ever-popular smart bassinet SNOO, instead of shelling out over $1000. 

7. Shop for gear that goes the distance

This is a good tip to remember when shopping for any type of baby gear, but especially helpful when trying to save money. If you ever have the option to go for gear that’s multi-use or that grows with your child, go for it. It may cost you a bit more upfront, but the savings over time will make it worthwhile. I have the Mockingbird high chair, which can be used from the first bite of solid food until my daughter reaches the maximum weight capacity (150 pounds). So, while it was $225 upfront, I’ll be able to use it for years. 

Examples of these types of baby products include:

• A convertible crib, which converts to a toddler bed or even a twin- or full-size bed.

• An all-in-one car seat or a long-lasting infant to toddler car seat that will take you from the baby days all the way through elementary school.

• A convertible stroller that grows with your family and holds two (or more) kids.

• A playard with a built-in bassinet and changing station or a high chair that works for babies and big kids.

• A dresser + portable changing pad (rather than a changing table) so you can use it beyond the diapering days (and other money-saving nursery furniture swaps).

• Multi-functional gear like a sound machine that does triple duty as a night light and toddler alarm clock, an activity center that turns into a play table or a humidifier that’s also a diffuser.

8. Shop store brands

From diapers and wipes to bubble baths and beyond, most big retailers have their own store brands across many different baby product categories. Most of the time, they’re just as good as (if not better than) many big-name brands, and they come with significant cost savings. Here’s what to shop for the next time you head out on an emergency toilet paper run and find yourself wandering the baby aisle of your favorite big box store.

• Target: There are so many Target-owned brands to love, but some of the best are Up & Up diapers and infant formula, Cloud Island sleepers, Cat & Jack baby clothing and the adorable Pillowfort line of kids’ decor.

• Walmart: This budget-friendly retailer’s store brand, Parent’s Choice, offers a wide range of baby items, but the standouts are the diapers, wipes and infant formula.

• Costco. If you have a Costco nearby, a yearly membership may be something to consider when accessing the store’s money-saving bulk buys. Their Kirkland wipes can’t be beat (they’re fragrance-free, really affordable and a favorite of our gear editor) and many parents swear by their diapers, too. The store carries tons of big brands as well, like Huggies, Similac, Enfamil and more, and you’ll save money by buying in bulk.

• Amazon. Yup, the mega online retailer is also in on the store brand game. Their Mama Bear line includes diapers, wipes, infant formula and more, and is an affordable diapering alternative to other big-name competitors. Another favorite is their Earth & Eden line of eco-conscious diapers.

9. Take a little time to shop around

Finding the time to do just about anything other than care for your new baby can be tricky, but shopping around to find the best price (and keeping an eye out for sales) is definitely time well spent. Stuff you’ll be buying on the regular—think diapers, wipes and formula, for instance—quickly adds up. Spending a few minutes comparing prices from a few different stores and websites and doing some simple math to calculate the unit price (e.g., 128 diapers for $45.00 is a unit price of about 35 cents per diaper) can go a long way for your wallet.

Another tip: look out for car seat trade-in programs, like Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event, which happens once a year. All you need to do is bring your old, expired or damaged car seat to the store, and Target will recycle it and issue you a coupon for 20 percent off a new car seat, stroller or other select baby gear. It’s an easy way to save money and help the planet at the same time.

10. Don’t retire your registry

Once your baby shower has come and gone and you’ve used your registry completion discount, don’t close out your baby registry just yet. There are ways to hack your registry, so even after you aren’t using it for friends and family to gift you the things you need, it's still a helpful tool.

You can use it to compare prices on products to ensure you get the best deal out there, all on a single page (instead of opening five different internet tabs at once). You can also choose to sign up for price drop alerts—you'll get an email when there’s a markdown, so you don’t miss your chance to take advantage of it. 

11. Mark your calendar for deals

There are sales events, big and small, all year long and they’re the best times of the year to jump on deals for baby items you need. Some sales events, like Amazon’s Prime Day and Black Friday, are better for big gear items like car seats (here are the best times of the year to save on car seats), while other sales are good to peruse for price drops on miscellaneous baby and parenting products.

And if clicking through hundreds of pages of sales sounds like a time suck, I actually do the job for you (and have years of experience, so I know what to look for) and share my findings here. Outside of big sales holidays, we also round up deals weekly, so you’ll never miss a discount.