Women's Health
How to Have a Baby on a Small Budget
Aug
Having a baby is a great and special moment in any parents’ life. However, the cost of having a baby is higher than most people think. For some people, covering the financial cost of having a baby is no problem at all. For others who are working with a smaller budget, it can be challenging. Here are some tips on how to have a baby with a small budget.
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1- Insurance, Rewards Programs, and Financial Assistance
Working with your insurance to find out how much they will cover and the time frame you will have to pay the hospital bills after childbirth will be important in planning out your finances1. Talk with the hospital staff to find out about all possible ways to reduce your bills2.
Companies like Amazon and Babies ‘R’ Us offer reward programs for expecting mothers that can help you save a lot of money. Amazon Mom helps you save up to 30% on items like diapers and wipes, and it also gives you free Amazon Prime, which includes free two-day shipping on all items3. Mealbaby.com provides free meals from friends and family which can alleviate the stress of preparing food during the first weeks following childbirth3.
Talk to your regional public health department to find out the potential benefit plans you may qualify for. For example, the Manitoba Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit is a plan in which pregnant women whose household income is less than $32,000 receive up to $80 a month to buy food during pregnancy4.
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2- Baby Showers
Having a baby shower (or showers) is a great way of getting most of the items you will need for your baby. Work with a relative or close friend to host a baby shower where you invite all your friends and family members who live close by. You can also register at a baby store for anyone who cannot make it to the baby shower and wants to order you a gift online3.
3- Ask For Help and Take What You Get
Don’t be afraid to ask people you know for some help. Spreading the word that you are having a baby may result in someone gifting you something that is much needed. A lot of your friends might still have baby clothes from their kids. There is no shame in taking some hand-me-downs for your new baby. Take all the second-hand items you are offered such as toys, books, shoes, clothes, baby seats, bottles, etc. This will help you save a lot of money in the long-run.
4- Prepare a Budget
With all these ideas in mind, figure out what you have, what you need, and what you want for your baby. Preparing a monthly expense list can help you see what expenses can be cut to help save money4. Changing even some of your smallest personal habits, such as the number of times you eat out and reducing unnecessary costs such as your cable TV, will save you money every month that can be used for your baby4.
Remember that having a baby is a special time in your life and for the people that share that life with you. Having a baby with a small budget should not affect that special time.
1- McDaniel, R. (n.d.). How to Prepare for a Baby on a Tight Budget. Retrieved from http://everythingfinanceblog.com/13681/prepare-baby-tight-budget.html
2- How to Prepare for a New Baby on a Small Budget. (2017, June 19). Retrieved from https://www.doublethebatch.com/prepare-for-new-baby-small-budget/
3- Cheung, C. (n.d.). 24 Tips for Having a Baby Without Going Broke. Retrieved from http://www.wisebread.com/24-tips-for-having-a-baby-without-going-broke
4- Seymour, R. (2017, April 04). 12 awesome tips to raise a baby on a budget. Retrieved from https://www.todaysparent.com/family/baby-on-a-budget/
