by Beckie Knowles

Created on: June 24, 2009

Whether you are a proud parent or expecting a baby, the world of baby products is your oyster. Mums are a huge market; stores want you to get to know their products and pick them over everyone else. This is why there is no shortage of special deals, offers, free gifts, tokens, redemption codes and try before you buy packages. It's just a case of knowing where to look.

Baby clubs are the ideal way to get first access to special offers, coupons and special gift codes. Both stores and independent organisations can offer great baby clubs with free membership and loads of extra bonuses. You can easily find adverts for these in magazines for pregnant women and/or mothers. If you have online access, there is a usually a simple form to fill out, a space to redeem any gift codes given on the advert you've seen and options as to what information/offers you would like to receive.

In the modern day, stores can take the few details you give them, e.g. number of people in household and their ages, and tailor make the offer packs and coupons they send out to you. This is very helpful, as offers are relevant and sometimes include try before you buy samples. When you join a baby club, the organisation usually has a starter pack to send out. The pack includes sample products, vouchers, special offers, online deals and free gifts as well as practical information on nutrition and pregnancy.

In the UK, the biggest baby club is Bounty. Pregnant women are given a Bounty pregnancy pack on their first visit to the midwife, or at the hospital when they go to their first scan. By becoming a member you are entitled to collect a pregnancy essentials pack from your local Boots or Asda store, which contains all sorts of goodies.

Other notable baby clubs are offered by Boots, Tescos and Pampers. Loads of baby brands have their own clubs or sections on their website where discounts and offers are available.

Mother and baby magazines are a great place to look for more offers. Throughout the magazine look out for adverts with stick-on vouchers that you can take out and use, or codes for you to redeem online. Some magazines have pull out sections of coupons at the back. In just one issue you can often glean a good half a dozen special offers. You don't even need to worry about the cost of the magazines. Companies often send out their own, branded publications when you sign up to their baby club. Also, in your free Bounty packs there are one or two magazines included.

Ask your friends if they have any coupons left over or that they won't use. For example, if your friend breastfeeds but you bottle feed, ask whether she has received vouchers for powder milk, such as Cow & Gate. If she has signed up to their club to receive a gift, it is likely there will be spare tokens floating around her house. Make use of communication; find out from other mums the best magazines and clubs to sign up to.

The cost of a baby will never be cheap, but take advantage of the companies desperate for your business. Sign up to baby clubs, being careful what mail options you sign up to, look for offers online and in magazines and talk to your friends to find out where they have found the best deals. It really pays to know how to work the baby product market.

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