Ten Ways to Save Big on Baby Gear

aby products are an 8.9 billion dollar industry in this country. There’s a lot to choose from - and a lot of stuff you can live without. A typical middle-income family with one child in the U.S. will spend an average of $13,590 on baby’s first year alone. But you can get better value, and still buy high-quality, safe products without spending a bundle.

The trick is to do your homework and research products before you shop online or step foot in the baby products superstore. Also:

1. Get more mileage out of your baby registry.
Friends and relatives want to give you gifts, so take advantage. But before you add a product to your registry, make sure it’s right for you and your lifestyle. Test-drive products in the store and take your baby registry as seriously as if you were paying the tab yourself. Register for big-ticket items like a stroller, car seat, and crib. Who knows? Friends and relatives may go in as a group and buy them for you.

And register for everyday items like diapers in all sizes (except for newborn), and baby wipes. You’ll need those items for years to come. Babies will outgrow newborn diapers in a flash, so it doesn’t pay to register for that size. And don’t register for clothes. You’ll get those anyway as baby gifts.

2. Take advantage of freebies and coupons.
One of the best ways to save is to shop with coupons when products go on sale and then stock up. That’s a good way to save money on baby food, diapers, and baby wipes, for example. On another note, hold onto those 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond (BBB) coupons. BBB recently bought buybuy Baby so you can now use BBB coupons at buybuy Baby, too. On a $250 stroller, you’ll save $50!

3. Compare prices online.
Once you know what you want, you can go online and try to find the best price. But watch shipping charges. For heavier items, it might make sense to go to the store instead.

4. Buy used.
Garage sales make sense for buying clothes and items that often aren’t used every day such as a backpack carrier, bicycle trailer, or bicycle-mounted seat. But, in general, a used product should either be new - or look like new to you. Don’t give your baby (or dress her) in something that doesn’t look safe.

But some products - like a car seat, crib, and play yard - should always be purchased new because their safety standards are constantly being updated, so you want to make sure you’re buying the latest version.

And whether it’s new or used, check the CPSC’s website [Ed. Note: Also check The Cradle’s Product Recalls] to make sure it hasn’t been recalled.