by Conny Manero

Created on: June 03, 2011   Last Updated: June 05, 2011

The arrival of a new baby is a joyous and wonderful occasion. Unfortunately a baby also weighs rather heavily on the family finances. Baby needs a lot of clothes and outgrows them quicker than mommy can buy them. When wondering how to spend less on baby clothes, get creative and think outside the box.

Do it Yourself

Making baby clothes yourself is not as difficult as you may think. If you have a sewing machine and a pattern, you can use that one pattern for several outfits in different materials. Baby won’t mind if your first or second attempt is a bit lopsided. Practice makes perfect and before you know it you will produce baby clothes you can be proud of.

If you cannot sew, perhaps you are handy with knitting needles. All you need is some yarn and a basic pattern. If you cannot knit jackets, you can give booties, hats, a bottle warmer or a blanket a try. Once you have that down you can move on to something a little more challenging.

If you are not handy in making things yourself, you could ask the baby’s grandmothers and aunts.

Borrow

You could borrow clothes for you baby from family and friends. Most young mothers keep baby clothes and don’t mind lending or selling them for a fraction of the original price. 

Shop On-Line

If you are a member of Facebook, visit the 'Marketplace' section and type 'Baby Clothes' in the search box. If you see something you are interested in, you can send the fellow Facebook member a personal message.

Etsy is a website where all kinds of homemade items are available. Type ‘Baby’ in the search box and a number of possibilities will pop up. Baby clothes for girls, baby clothes for boys, even organic baby clothes. If you can’t find anything you like, you can contact one of the makers of baby clothes and ask to make something just for you.

When visiting eBay type ‘Baby’ in the search box, click on ‘Baby Clothes’ and you will be presented with over a million new and used items starting from 99 cents.

Craigslist is yet another possibility. Look for the ‘For Sale’ category and select ‘Baby + Kids’.  You might not only find discounted baby clothes but a multitude of other items baby might need.

Stores

Wal-Mart and Target have a huge selection of baby clothes. If these are still too expensive, try outlets, thrift stores or stores such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army.

Wanted Sign

If all else fails, you could place a ‘Wanted: Baby Clothes’ sign on the notice board of a local store, church, library or school.  

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