Shopping for baby supplies is one of the most exciting parts of having a baby. There’s no rule about when to start shopping for your new baby. Some parents buy baby stuff early, while others prefer to wait longer.
So, when is a good time to start buying baby stuff? According to experts, the second trimester is the best time to buy baby stuff.
It would be best if you answered this question before you officially meet your little one. You will have to do many things and buy a lot of items. So, prepare the best welcome for your lovely baby.
Yet, it is best not to wait too long as your angel may be born earlier than expected. This article will discuss this topic in detail, so scroll slowly for useful information!
Things to Consider Before Shopping for a Baby
There are countless baby things available out there that can be overwhelming. So, if you don’t make a list of essentials in advance, you will “run around like a headless chicken.”
That’s why we recommend considering the following factors before grabbing a shopping cart and going crazy.
1. Budget
You need to set a budget.
You can spend a lot of money on this purchase. However, buying branded cribs, expensive toy sets, or luxury clothes is unnecessary. The key is to buy things that fit your budget.
The good news is that you can have up to nine months to budget and research strategies to buy affordable items.
In addition, you must also answer the question, “How much can you spend on baby items?” Through budgeting, you’ll have to think about what’s needed and avoid buying the “latest and most expensive models.”
Also, it is wise to hunt for coupons to get the best deals. Taking advantage of rewards programs is also not a bad idea.
Newborn growth is usually very rapid. Newborn babies often use their items for a short time. So, if you are on a tight budget, you can buy second-hand items on online marketplaces. Thanks to that, you can get good-quality items at a much lower price.
2. Gender
This element allows you to choose the right baby stuff and nursery decorations with a gender-specific theme.
It is also the main reason why many parents wait for longer, at least when they find out the sex of their child. They usually detect the baby’s sex between 18 and 21 weeks, in some cases 12 weeks.
Of course, it is not necessary to know the gender of the child to buy things for them. The fact is that many people like to keep the gender of their angel a secret. So, they buy unisex children’s clothing as an intelligent choice.
3. Baby Shower
If you’re planning to have a baby shower, it is essential to wait and see what items you’ll receive before shopping yourself.
Then you will know what you already have and what more you need to buy. In addition, it allows you to save quite a lot of money.
If the baby shower is pretty close to your due date, you will need to have a few essentials ready, such as diapers, child clothes, and a bassinet, just in case your angel arrives earlier than expected.
We recommend setting up a baby shower registry that lets your acquaintances know what baby stuff you want. It also allows you to track what you need to receive and what you have received.
4. Space
Last but not least, before shopping for baby stuff, you need to answer the question, “how much space do you have in your home or flat?” Newborns may be tiny, but baby items can fill your room.
Therefore, it is essential to consider the possible space to accommodate all baby gear. Also, plan the areas where you plan to place items like cribs, playpens, and changing tables. Thanks to that, you will never buy expensive items that do not fit your room.
5. Delivery Times
If you prefer to shop online, keep an eye on shipping times.
You may have to wait a few weeks to receive the item, maybe a few months. Thus, you need to know the estimated delivery time when shopping for your little angel.
This factor is also crucial if you order baby items during the holiday season, as delivery times may be longer than usual.
When Should You Start Buying Baby Stuff?
We will break this process into three different stages to make things easier.
1. First Trimester
Aside from budgeting and preparing the space for baby gear, there’s a lot of work to be done before you start shopping. Here are some of the essential things you should do during your first trimester.
Create Your Budget
Budgeting will allow you to have some good ideas of what you need to buy for your child. You can also consult a specialist or a loved one who has already had children. They may be able to give you some helpful advice.
Set Your Baby Registry
Setting up your baby registry should also be completed soon. After making a list of stuff you need, make it private until you’re ready to share it with your loved ones.
You can start by adding essential items to the registry, such as bottoms, pajamas, shirts, wiggle-proof socks, and more.
Research Child Gear
It is essential to make many tough decisions before your little one is born. So, you will want to take the time to research the items needed to get the best ones.
We recommend researching baby stuff reviews and buying guides to see which item will suit you best. You can also save money by doing your research because you know what you don’t need to spend.
Stock up on Consumables
You should spend your first trimester stocking up on essentials, including:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toilet paper
- Laundry detergent
- Dish soap
- Many other consumables
Later, you can spend your precious time preparing for more important things.
2. Second Trimester
While we’ve advised you to wait until after the baby shower to buy most baby things, this precious is an excellent time to buy more expensive items, which are unlikely never to be added to your baby’s registry.
Pick Up Nursery Theme
By this time, most parents have already determined the gender of their new baby. Therefore, it is the right time to choose the nursery theme.
It is true to say that choosing a suitable theme allows you to pick the right decoration or furniture for the nursery design.
Buy a Right Crib
Some parents prefer to use a bassinet instead of a crib for their babies for the first few months. However, after all, you will still need to equip a crib.
The fact is that you will have more energy at this moment. Therefore, it is the right time to place and assemble your crib.
Order Nursery Furniture
When talking about ordering nursery furniture, you should place your order early. It may take a few weeks for you to receive your nursery furniture. Moreover, it will take you more time to assemble this furniture.
You also need help from relatives or friends to move bulky and oversized furniture into your house.
Declutter Your House
It is also an excellent time to declutter your home, getting rid of unnecessary things to make room for the baby gear. But, of course, you do not have to get everything done in one day! Instead, take things slowly, one at a time.
Ideally, put one or two items into your trash bag each day. Then, once your trash bag is full, you can hand it in at the donation center.
Decide on the Diapers
The second trimester is also the perfect time to decide what diapers you will use for your little one. The most popular options are disposable diapers and cloth diapers. You also have to choose between different styles and brands.
3. Third Trimester
During the third trimester, your baby is about to be born. It is time to look at the remaining items you will need for the new addition.
Stock up on Essentials or Must-Have Things
Your newborn can consume a lot of diapers, clothes, and creams. Therefore, it is essential to have plenty of burp cloths and bibs. In addition, you also need to have the following must-have items:
- Diaper cream
- Baby lotion
- Wipes
- Nail clippers
- Other care essentials
Pre-wash Baby Clothes
Whether your baby items are brand new or used, it is essential to wash them before your child is born.
Brand new clothes are not necessarily safe. They may contain chemicals that are harmful to your child’s sensitive skin. Don’t forget to use baby-safe laundry detergent to pre-wash these clothes!
Buy a Car Seat
You can’t ignore a car seat. So let’s buy one before your child is born.
Don’t Miss Out on Good Deals.
Chances are you have more free time during this time. So, searching for attractive offers is a very effective way to kill time.
Don’t miss out on items your baby may not necessarily need right away. Here are some of our recommendations:
- High chairs
- Bouncers
- Playpens
Is It Bad Luck to Buy Baby Stuff Early?
Timely buying baby stuff is essential. With that in mind, many people wonder, “Is it bad to buy baby stuff early pregnancy?”
Fortunately, the short answer is no. Your pregnancy will not be medically affected if you buy baby things during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, if you don’t feel comfortable with the idea, you don’t have to.
Many people are excited about buying baby stuff early, while others struggle to get pregnant. So our point is to do what makes you comfortable.
You can buy baby things a little early because of your eagerness or wait until you feel it is appropriate to start shopping for your baby.
In short, buying baby items early will not affect your pregnancy medically. Yet, if you feel uncomfortable or anxious about shopping earlier, you can wait until after the 12-week mark. The 6-month mark is also an excellent time to shop.
Finally, it would be best if you didn’t wait until it’s too late.
When Does Baby Stuff Go on Sale?
Offers, discounts, and sale policies are different between stores or retailers.
In general, baby stuff goes on sale all year round. It means you can get something on sale at any time of the year. Therefore, it is essential to update the latest news about promotions on their homepage regularly.
Here are some of our recommendations by month of the year:
- January: Purchase Carter’s bodysuits at Kohl’s to save about 65%
- February: Save about 80% on baby clothes at Shop The Children’s Place spring sale.
- March: Join Target’s Baby Registry to get free samples and coupons.
- April: Join Target’s Baby Car Seat Trade-In Event to save 20% on baby stuff.
- May: Participate in the JCPenney Memorial Day sale to get baby blankets for 1 dollar!
- June: Buy diapers at Target and save about 31%.
- July: Join the Amazon Prime Day sale and buy Graco strollers to save 20%.
- August: Don’t miss Carter’s Baby Clothes during their 40% off clearance sale.
- September: Purchase a Pack ‘n Play at Target within their Baby Gear Sale to save 20%.
- October: Join the Macy’s fall sale and save 65% on cold-weather gear for your babies.
- November: Buy Britax strollers from Amazon to save 30%.
- December: Participate in Target’s toy sale to save 50%.
Conclusion
Knowing when to start buying baby stuff during pregnancy isn’t as straightforward as you might imagine. So, hopefully, through this helpful guide, you have a better understanding of when you should start shopping for your little one.
You should treat this guide as a helpful reference. We always recommend that you shop and prepare your angel in a way that works best for you. Whether you start buying baby stuff now or wait until later, you can still have a plan to follow!
Happy shopping!
