How to Save Money on Baby Clothes: 16 Easy Tips
In the months leading up to your due date, you might find yourself thinking about all the upcoming expenses. Some of the first things that come to mind are diapers, wipes, and all the baby gear. One expense that can add up quickly is baby clothing, so knowing how to save money on baby clothes is crucial.
Luckily, there are many different ways to save money on baby clothes! Now, I’ve always been frugal, but after having our second child this year, I knew we had to try and save even more money.
So in this article, I’m sharing all the best ways to save money on baby clothing. All these tips are tried and true, and you’ll be amazed at how simple and effective they are when having a baby on a budget!
Let’s get started!
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1. Find Out How Many Baby Clothes You’ll Need
The first thing you’ll want to do when trying to save money on baby clothes is find out how many baby clothes you’ll actually need. The fastest way to break the bank on baby clothing is to buy more than you need!
For example, many first-time parents often overbuy baby clothes in sizes their baby will only use for a short time, like newborn clothes. You can save a lot of money when you research ahead of time.
Check out this article for more information on how many baby clothes you’ll need in each size.
2. Search Thrift and Consignment Stores
When finding affordable (and cute) baby clothes, thrift and consignment stores can be fantastic options. These stores offer gently used or sometimes brand new baby clothing at a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Plus, shopping at these stores can be a fun and eco-friendly way to find unique items for your little one while reducing waste and supporting local businesses!
When shopping at your local thrift or consignment stores, it’s crucial to check the clothing carefully for any stains, tears, or other damage. While many items at these stores are in excellent condition, it’s always best to double-check to ensure you get quality clothing for your baby.
3. Watch Sales
Our next great way to save money on baby clothes is to keep an eye on sales at your favorite stores. Once you bring your baby home, you’ll quickly learn which clothing brands are your favorite. Not every brand will fit your baby perfectly!
Everyone has their favorite clothing brands, but buying baby clothes at full price can quickly add up! Taking advantage of sales can help you save money in the long run.
Additionally, watching sales can also help you afford higher quality clothing items that may have been too expensive at full price. Investing in quality pieces that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use and multiple washes is essential.
Plus, when you buy quality clothing, you can use it later with a second child or even sell it when your baby has outgrown it.
4. Buy Sizes Ahead
The next tip for saving money on baby clothes is to buy sizes ahead of when you need them. The best example of this tip is with seasonal items.
Often, stores will have great seasonal sales, like for summer, and you can score a bunch of baby clothing you need. But, if you do some quick math to determine what size your child will be in next summer, then you can grab some items to hold onto for the following year.
I love buying baby clothing ahead of when I’ll need them because it makes it effortless to switch out your child’s clothes when they outgrow current ones. Not to mention, you only need a little bit of closet space to store them until you need them!
5. Always Check Clearance
I don’t know about you, but I love a good clearance find. Saving a lot of money on something you need is always great! That’s why checking the clearance section is one of my favorite tips for how to save money on baby clothes.
Whenever I am in a store like Walmart or Target, I always quickly check the clearance sections. If I need anything in my children’s current sizes, I check for that first. Then, I’ll see if there are any suitable items in the following sizes up. (This works when shopping online, too!)
As from the tip above, buying clearance is a great time to purchase sizes ahead. Then, you’ll already have some (or maybe all) of what you’ll need when your child outgrows their current clothes.
6. Ask For Larger Sizes at Baby Shower
If you’re prepping for your baby shower, now’s a great time to think about asking for baby clothes! Most who attend baby showers love to add a cute outfit (or two) to their gift, so you can easily get a good start on baby clothing.
One thing to consider is asking your guests for larger baby clothing sizes. If you’re uncomfortable asking, talk to whoever is hosting your baby shower and ask them to put the word out for you.
Either way, asking for larger baby clothes is beneficial because you’ll avoid getting too many newborn or 0-3 month sizes. You could potentially have most of what you need for your baby’s first year if your guests gift more than newborn sizes!
7. Don’t Buy Clothes Right Away
As mentioned above, you might receive plenty of baby clothes at your shower. Therefore, you can save money on baby clothes by avoiding shopping too early.
I know staying away from all the cute baby clothes can be difficult when you stop at Target, but when you start buying baby things early in your pregnancy, it can be easy to get carried away.
Also, you might have friends or coworkers offer you some gently used clothing items, which can save you from purchasing them new.
8. Watch Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to shop for affordable baby clothes. One of the best things about shopping on Facebook Marketplace is the vast selection. With so many people using the platform to sell unwanted baby items, you can find various brands, sizes, and styles.
Plus, since sellers are often local, you can easily arrange to pick up items and avoid shipping fees.
Typically when shopping on Facebook Marketplace for baby clothes, you’ll find people selling lots. That means that you pay a set price for everything they are offering.
For example, if someone sells their lot of 9-month baby clothes for $25, you would receive everything they have listed in the description or pictures for $25. Typically, they won’t want you to pick and choose which items you want.
Of course, as with any online marketplace, it’s crucial to exercise caution and ensure you’re dealing with a reputable seller. Always read reviews and check the seller’s profile before reaching out or making a purchase.
9. Check Out Garage Sales
If you want to avoid buying on a site like Facebook, garage sales might be a wonderful option for you!
Typically, when you find baby clothes at garage sales, you’ll find many items in the same sizes. This will allow you to stock up on a variety of clothing simultaneously!
Not to mention, you might be able to negotiate prices easier at a garage sale because they will want their items sold that day.
10. Use Registry Discounts
One great feature that most baby registries have is a completion discount coupon. This coupon is typically 15% off, and you use it toward the end of your pregnancy to buy whatever you need to prepare for your baby.
Using registry completion coupons is a great way to save money on baby clothes, especially if you can use it during a sale!
But one thing to remember is that not all registries have the same coupons. Some are better than others!
In my experience, the Amazon baby registry has the best completion coupon because it’s 15% off, and you can use it repeatedly until a specific date. It’s not a one-time use like other registries have.
Plus, Prime shipping lets you get your items reasonably quickly (depending on where you live). Click this link for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime!
11. Choose a Minimalist Baby Wardrobe
When it comes to dressing your baby, there is often a temptation to go overboard and purchase countless outfits, shoes, and accessories.
It’s easy to walk into a store and see the frilly or fancy baby clothes that are so adorable and want to buy them for your little one.
However, choosing a minimalist baby wardrobe can have many benefits beyond saving money.
Buying just the baby clothing necessities will save you money in the long run and simplify your daily routine and help you focus on what’s truly important.
Additionally, a minimalist wardrobe can help you stay organized and reduce clutter in your home, making it easier to find what you need when you need it. By focusing on quality over quantity and simplifying your daily routine, you can save money while reducing clutter.
12. Swap Baby Clothes With a Friend
Swapping baby clothes with a friend can be a great way to save money and help another family. Because babies grow quickly, they typically outgrow clothes before they have been worn very much.
By swapping clothes, parents can ensure their baby always has clothes that fit well without spending much money on new outfits.
In addition to saving money, swapping baby clothes can also be a great way to build community and develop friendships. Parents who swap clothes with each other can bond over their shared experiences of raising young children and can offer each additional support and advice.
Swapping clothes can also be a fun activity for parents and their children, as they can browse through each other’s collections and pick out new outfits to pass on. You can even make an afternoon of it and invite a few moms to hang out with while sorting through clothes!
13. Welcome Hand-Me-Downs
The next tip for saving money on baby clothes is to always welcome hand-me-downs. If you have a friend or family member who wants to give you a bag of outgrown baby clothes from their kids, take it! Take a minute to sort through and decide what you want to keep, and then donate what you don’t want.
Hand-me-downs are fantastic because they’re free, you don’t have to talk to strangers on the internet, and you don’t have to go searching for them!
I was lucky to get hand-me-downs from my brother, and I loved it. My brother has a son one year older than mine, so he always passed down clothing at just the right time.
Once he would give me a box of clothes, I would sort through it and donate what I didn’t want to a local thrift store. It was a win-win situation because I got free clothes, and my brother didn’t have to deal with donating anything!
14. Find Coupons Online
Another of my favorite tips for saving money on baby clothes is to find coupons when shopping online at your favorite stores. More often than not, I can find a promo code online that I can apply to my cart before checking out.
All you have to do is go to Google and search “(store name) promo code” and try the legible codes that come up. Usually, if the code is a series of random numbers and letters, it won’t work.
15. Use Cash-Back Apps
Cash-back apps are another great way to save money when shopping for baby clothes. My favorite app is Ibotta.
I’ve used Ibotta for several years now, and I’ve saved over $400! Plus, Ibotta has so many retailers that you are sure to find the stores you already shop at.
16. Choose Gender-Neutral Items
Our last tip for saving money on baby clothes is more for saving money in the future. If you know you’ll want to try for more babies in the future, buying gender-neutral clothes now will save you from having to buy more clothes down the road.
And there you have it, how to save money on baby clothes! Saving money on baby clothes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Remember, your baby won’t know the difference between designer clothes and those bought at a discount.
What matters most is that they are comfortable, clean, and well-cared for. By following these tips, you’ll have a little extra cash in your pocket while still having a well-dressed baby!
Before you go, check out these related articles:
- Crucial Things To Stock Up on Before Baby Arrives
- What NOT To Put on Your Baby Registry
- How To Have a Baby Shower on a Budget
- The Best Laundry Schedule to Prevent Pile Ups
- Easy Morning Routines for Stay-At-Home Moms
What was your favorite tip for saving money on baby clothes? I would love to know in the comments below!
