Tips on preparing the wardrobe for a new baby
HOUSTON -- A new baby can put a big dent in your budget if you let it spiral out of control.
When it comes to baby clothes, there are wants and needs. First time mom Lisa Goe says no matter how much she prepared for her newborn, things don't always go as planned.
"I bought all these really cute outfits and my baby came 3 pounds lighter than expected," Goe said.
Her first tip for new or expectant moms is to buy clothes in different sizes for your baby and save the receipts or gift receipts. Goe says Carter's stores have great return policies.
"If you keep the receipt and the tags are still on the clothes, you can return the merchandise within a year, and that's great," Goe said. "Don't wash before you have the baby, and make sure you keep the tags on in case you have to return them."
A five pack of body suits from Carter's costs $16, but at JC Penney, the same set goes for $12.99.
Goe says she liked the Gerber newborn white side snap shirts. Target sells a two pack for $6.99.
"As being a new mom you really don't want to put the clothing over the head, it's so sensitive," Goe said.
Once she got comfortable dressing her newborn, she was able to use onesies and pant sets for everyday wear.
"I would mix them and match them and it looked like she was wearing a new outfit every day," Goe said.
When it comes to bibs, look for dual purpose options. While Goe likes cute bibs, ones that are practical are winners in her book.
The brand Aden and Anais makes burp cloths that you can throw over your shoulder and then snap to make a bib. A two pack on Amazon costs $22, including free shipping.
For bedtime, Goe received several Swaddle Me blankets as gifts. Each costs $14 to $30 each, but she said she never uses them. Instead, she prefers footed sleepers.
At The Children's Place, they sell footed sleepers for $11.99 with an additional 20 percent off coupon.
When it comes to blankets, Goe says you will receive so many more than you actually need. She likes ones made out of muslin because they are thin and easy to work with. She found ones at Marshall's for $12 each.
