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How-to Guides » OLD GUIDE Cut the cost of having a baby

Having a baby can cost a small fortune. Here's how to keep your costs down – and set your baby up, financially, for life!

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OLD GUIDE Cut the cost of having a baby

Cut down on food costs

How-to Guide Tips 1 tip on this task  | 

1) Try breastfeeding 

If you're willing and able to breast feed, there's a real financial incentive for doing so.

Bottle feeding a baby can end up costing hundreds, particularly if you also buy high-tech sterilisation equipment. Breast feeding is (generally) the cheaper option - especially if you hire your breast pump temporarily or get one second-hand. 

2) Make your own baby food

Try making your own baby food rather than buying it packaged. Once cooked and blended, freeze it in ice cube trays until you need it.

This website should give you lots of ideas.

Get a free guide to Child Trust Funds

Watch our video guide on how to cut the costs of having a baby!

Want some more tips on how you can cut your food costs? Why not ask a question using our Q&A tool? You may find that other members of lovemoney.com have experiences they can share which will help you.

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Tips on this task (1)

  • Ellem
    Love rating 3
    Ellem said

    I'd just like to add in to tip 1) that if you breastfeed you really don't need a breast pump. Lots of local Primary Care Trusts or hospitals run Peer support programmes to help mums breastfeed and you really don't need a pump unless you have a premature baby (the hospital will tend to lend you a pump at no or very-low cost if you are expressing for a baby in NNU) or are planning to go back to work imminently. In fact, you shouldn't even consider using a pump until breastfeeding is established (at about 6 weeks). Your money sould be better spent on a sling which you can breastfeed in as this will help you get more freedom whilst your baby is young!

    This also leads on to tip 2, since if you exclusively breastfeed and then add in food when your baby is over 6 months (World Health Organisation recommended minimum age for weaning), you can get away with less effort by not needing to blend the food but giving your baby finger foods instead (like steamed carrot sticks and broccoli) (Plus less mess to clear up as pureed baby food is really difficult to clean up from the carpet!)

    Report on 09 October 2009  |  Love thisLove  0 love

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