All the equipment and supplies you need to care for your baby can be expensive! This is especially true if you’re having your first child or have a small family that can’t help you out. However, you do have some options for buying all the stuff you need and you can certainly find bargains if you know where to look and how to sort through the mess. Don’t rule out where you pick up everything you need, judge the items on their own merit. Use these tips to save money when buying your baby gear.

1. Ask for hand-me-downs.

The simplest and cheapest way to get baby gear is to ask others to share their old stuff. Sometimes families with many people, or families who have children around the same time, will rotate equipment around as needed. If you ask your siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, friends, and neighbors, I’m sure someone will have a giant bag of baby clothes in the attic, or a box of books and toys in the garage.

2. Search on Craigslist.

Craigslist is a great place to find items because there’s so much available at great prices. Usually sellers just want to get rid of their stuff. They even have a free section where parents give away boxes of miscellaneous “baby things.” You can find a great deal on this site, but always thoroughly inspect anything before you buy to make sure it’s safe, clean, or hasn’t been recalled.

3. Connect with a social media local tag sale.

Many areas offer local “tag sales” that aren’t spread out on a lawn, but exist on a social media site like Facebook. These are great sources of items because users become known by the group, so disreputable people can be removed and you can have a conversation with a real person, not an anonymous email address or cell phone number. These tag sales are also helpful if you don’t want to travel too far.

4. Check out thrift stores.

A popular misconception about thrift stores is that they will sell you anything they can. Most are required by law to only sell clean, gently used items that are checked for safety. This is definitely the case with Goodwill or Salvation Army. You can pick up designer items at fractions of the cost and they are always stacked with baby clothes, toys, and books.

5. Buy the demo models of furniture.

The demonstration pieces you often find on the floor in a store are usually cheaper than the new items out of the box. Store owners understand that these items have been poked and prodded by curious shoppers. It may have a dent or nick, but for 25-30 percent off the price, who cares? However, as always it is imperative that you make sure any furniture your baby will sit in or on is in perfect working order.

6. Use a coupon-finder app on your phone.

There are several apps out there that will help you locate the best deals, whether you’re shopping in a physical store or online. Some will even let you select the store you’re in and search the circular or flyer for weekly specials so you know what to grab. Others will let you scan the barcode of an item and show you any better deals in your area.

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for a subluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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