How to Save Money on Baby Clothes

Having kids is great, but the trouble is there is so much to buy, especially clothes. Kids grow quickly, and before you know it, they’ve outgrown the new clothes you bought. If you’re struggling to update your kids’ wardrobe, you’re not alone. The good news is there are ways to spend wisely and save money.

Here are 15 ways to save money on baby clothes…

Have a Clear List…

When you’re pregnant, you want to buy everything from cute newborn outfits to accessories. This is expensive. To save money, have a clear list. Your list should include essential clothing items. For example, if buying sleepsuits or vests, add only one set in newborn size.

If you buy several sets, your baby will outgrow them quickly. This will force you to shop for new clothes again. So, what are the essential things a newborn needs?

• Tops
• Sleepsuits
• Infant Socks
• Swaddle cloth
• Vests and others

When buying baby clothes, make sure they’re cotton based. Cotton is comfortable on the skin. Avoid clothes with glitter, sequins, ties, buttons and ribbons. These are choking hazards and can also be a source of skin irritation. It’s crucial to consider weather conditions. Remember, stick to your list.

Never Overbuy…

It’s very easy to overbuy on newborn size clothes. This is primarily due to the excitement of having a new member of the family. The reality is, when you overbuy, you’ll spend a lot of money.

To spend your money wisely, buy three to five newborn outfits. You should also purchase baby clothes that are a tad bit bigger. We recommend 0-3 months.

While these clothes may be a little big for your newborn, he will grow into them within a couple of months. My daughter, for example, outgrew her baby clothes within the first month. Luckily, I only bought three newborn outfits and three 0 to 3 months. This was enough for the first three months.

I strongly advise new parents to avoid overbuying newborn baby clothes. Instead, consider hand me downs from family and friends.

Buy Second Hand Clothes…

One of the best ways to save money on baby clothes is to go second-hand. The first place you should check is your local charity shop. Second-hand clothes in charity shops are usually in pretty good condition, but you may come across a few with stains.

It’s also not unusual to find unworn newborn clothes at your local charity shop. Newborn clothes are often worn infrequently that they remain new after use. In fact, you may find designer baby clothing in excellent condition going for half or a quarter of their original retail price. Quality second-hand clothes are much better than cheaper brands. They will last longer.

When your baby outgrows the clothes, store them neatly. This way, you can either sell them or even pass them down to another child, a friend or a family member.

Shop on eBay…

Besides your local charity shops, you can shop for newborn clothes on eBay. eBay is one of the most popular marketplaces where you can find a ton of newborn clothes on sale. Just like in your local charity shop, you can find quality brands and designer baby clothes.

The majority of new parents who receive newborn clothes as gifts from family and friends never get the chance to dress them. To declutter their homes, parents often sell the clothes on eBay. This is an excellent opportunity for you as you can find your favourite brands sold at low prices.

To find baby clothes on eBay, shop around the marketplace.

Car Boot Sales…

Car boot sales are very popular in the UK. As a form of market where people come together to sell household goods, you can find great bargains on newborn clothes. They are usually held in a variety of locations. You can find them on the grounds of schools, grass fields, car parks or community buildings.

They often take place on weekends, especially Sundays. Sellers usually arrive with their goods in the car boot and then unpack onto a blanket, folding trestle tables or tarpaulin. Entry to the sale is free, and the quality of goods sold is variable. We recommend that you check everything well before handing your cash to the seller.

Local National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Sale…

The National Childbirth Trust usually holds Nearly New Sales. This event differs from other commercial sales as they enable the National Childbirth Trust to raise funds. In fact, the NCT raises over half a million pounds every year. The funds support parents through UK wide projects.

If you’re shopping for second-hand clothes for your newborn or kids, the NCT Nearly New Sale is a goldmine. To know when the next Nearly New Sales will be, visit the NCT website.

To find the best bargains, be there early. The sales can have long queues. If you’re pregnant, bring a family member or friend. They will help you to carry your goodies.

Shop at Gumtree…

Discover amazing deals on used baby clothes on Gumtree. Like eBay, Gumtree offers quick and hassle-free shopping for used baby clothes and other items. You can find pre-loved bibs, baby clothes, handmade baby booties, tops, shoes and sandals for boys and girls.

To find used baby clothes, visit the Gumtree website, and sign-up. It’s free and takes less than five minutes. As a member, you can search for baby clothes by location, price and other options. You can even set search alerts.

Check your Local Freecycle Group…

Freecycle has over 5,000 local town groups with more than 9 million members globally. As a non-profit movement, members give and get stuff for free in their local towns. This helps to keep the good stuff out of landfills. Freecycle membership is free.

All you need to do is sign up, join one or more local town groups. You can also invite some local friends to form a friends circle. If you find items you need like baby clothes, chat with the members and arrange a pickup location and time.

Join Facebook Marketplace Groups…

On the Facebook Marketplace, you can find baby stuff sale groups. A lot of parents sell their baby’s old clothes for a bargain. To find the best bargains, type a keyword into the Facebook marketplace search bar. You can use keywords such as new and used baby and toddler clothes, new and used baby clothing for sale etc.

Most sellers on the Facebook marketplace prefer collection. Make sure to arrange pickup location and time. We recommend paying with cash during pickup. This gives you a chance to check the item(s) before handing over the cash. It also protects you against scammers.

Avoid sharing personal information such as your bank account information.

Don’t Buy Shoes Until They Walk…

Newborns do not need shoes until they are ready to walk. Buying shoes in the first year is a waste of money. The shoes will not help your baby learn to walk better or faster. They also have no benefit for the baby’s feet.

If you buy the shoes early and are inflexible or too hard, they’ll restrict your baby’s natural foot movement. The best time to buy your bay shoes is somewhere from 7 to 18 months of age. If you register that your baby is moving unaided, start shopping for pre-walking shoes.

When your baby is out and about, keep their toes, and feet warm using an all in one suit or blankets.

Shop the Sales…

The majority of retailers usually have sales cycles. If your favourite retailer has a sale, sign up for their coupons. Before clearance, the retailers usually mark down baby clothes and accessories. You can find baby clothes over 50% off.

For example, Children’s Outlet sells your favourite brands up to 80% off. You can find brands such as Jacob Matthews, Coco, Chloe and others. Most of the retailers do not wait until the seasons end before hosting a clearance sale.

Don’t forget to use cashback sites such as Quidco and Topcashback to make your purchases.

Baby Shower…

The point of throwing a baby shower is for your family, relatives, friends and co-workers to shower you and your newborn with gifts. Etiquette dictates that new parents can’t throw their own baby shower. This is because people will perceive this as asking for gifts.

What you ought to do is ask your mother, close friend, mother-in-law or sister to host the baby shower. Before buying any newborn clothes, hold off until after your baby shower. This way, you can check what you’ve and what you need.

Buy Gender-Neutral Clothes…

If you’re planning to have more than one child, choose gender-neutral clothes. This is sensible if you chose not to find out the sex of the baby before birth. We recommend shopping for colours such as beige, pastel blue, green, red, white, black and yellow.

Avoid overdosing on colours such as baby blue and pink. When you buy gender-neutral clothes, they will also be helpful to family and friends of either gender.

Hand Me Downs…

Do you have family and friends with kids? Then they probably have an attic or wardrobe full of baby clothes and other items. Hand me downs are clothes from family or friends that they previously used for their own children. If your family, friends or co-workers offer you a bag full of newborn clothes, accept it.

Accepting the clothes means not having to shop for brand new ones. This saves you money which you can spend on other things such as food. Once you receive the clothes, go through the bag. Check for stains, signs of wear and tear. If you find clothing you don’t need, pass them to someone else.

Get a Baby Box…

If you live in Scotland, you can get a baby box from Parents Club. The baby box is usually packed full of clothes. You’ll find:

• Pair of scratch mittens
• Short-sleeved vest
• Long-sleeved vest
• Long-sleeved side buttoning vest
• Cotton hat
• Long-sleeved sleepsuit
• Jersey trousers
• Pair of socks
• Fleece Jacket with hood

It also comes with bedding and other helpful stuff to give your baby the best start in life. The Box itself provides a comfy place for your newborn to sleep. It comes complete with bedding and a mattress that fits.

To get your baby box, your midwife will fill in the Baby Box registration card between your 18 and 28-week appointment. She will send the card, and you’ll receive your baby box in 4 weeks before your due date.

Final Thoughts

Starting a family calls for significant changes to your spending habits. A lot of parents get caught up in the excitement of having a baby and end up overspending. The biggest mistake you can make as a new parent is stocking up too many baby clothes. Babies grow up too fast, and before you know it, they have outgrown the clothes.

To save money on baby clothes, buy second hand clothes, have a clear list, shop the sales, check eBay, Gumtree and the Facebook Marketplace. Go ahead and use the hand me arounds your sister or friends gave you and save the money for buying essential items.