When to Start Buying Baby Stuff – The Right Timeline to Know

Baby Stuff to Buy in Trimesters 

Distributing your purchasing process over the entire gestational period can help you get all the essentials before the baby comes. So, depending on the trimester, consider these things when it comes to the best time to buy baby stuff: 

1. First Trimester 

The first trimester is the planning stage for buying baby stuff:

• Plan and create a budget for everything you will need to buy. Now is an excellent time to think about when you start to buy baby stuff seriously. Baby clothes, toys, and other essentials can be expensive to purchase all at once. Have a plan about how much you will spend every month on it. 
• Research all the baby gear you will need to buy. A year from now, you will have twice as much stuff in the house, and it is a good idea to put some thought into what you’ll buy. Everything from the pacifier to the baby wipes and strollers comes in different brands. Read buying guides on picking what is suitable for you within budget and avoid. Good research will help you choose great products and save money. 
• The first trimester is a good time to stock up on consumables with a long shelf life. This includes conditioner, shampoo, detergent, dish soap, and toilet paper. You can also pick products that might go up in price over the months and stock them up to save money. 

2. Second Trimester 

Now is the time to put your plan into action. 

• De-clutter the home and start preparations to get the nursery ready. Now is the time to think long-term and buy only what is essential. If you are planning a baby shower during the second trimester, it’s a good idea to wait for all the gifts you will receive before making a purchase decision. 
• Start working on the nursery. By now, you would know the baby’s gender, so you can go ahead and decide the nursery’s theme. Research the various baby cribs available online and choose one that best fits the décor. Order a cute bookshelf with all the baby books you will be reading for them in the future.  
• Order the furniture and the crib. Now is a good time to order the furniture as it will take anywhere from days to weeks to arrive. You will also have plenty of time to put the furniture together by yourself and enjoy every moment of it.  
• Resist buying all the stuff you can expect during the baby shower. Your friends are more likely to gift essentials such as diaper packs, baby clothes, soft toys, parenting books, mugs, and feeding bottles. Wait until after the baby shower to purchase what is missing. 

3. Third Trimester 

The third trimester is the best time to start buying important baby stuff. 

• By now, you should have a good count of all that you already have and everything else that needs to be purchased. That includes clothes, wipes, lotion, strollers, and even a car seat. This is also a good time to make a purchase for yourself and pick up things such as nursing bras and tops, breastfeeding creams, breast pumps, blankets, and diaper bags. 
• Prewash all the baby clothes you bought online or received as a gift and have them ready. It’s always a good idea to wash clothes before you try them on as the clothes could pick up a lot of dirt and microbes on their way from the factory to your home. 
• Always stay on the lookout for good deals online on baby apparel and accessories. If you get an essential item such as diapers or clothes at a discount, grab it before the offer expires. 

Things to Consider Before Purchasing Baby Stuff 

It is never a good idea to rush into buying baby stuff without a plan in place. So here are some essential things to consider before you start purchasing: 

1. Budget 

The first thing that will strike you is how much having a baby costs! If you do not have a budget, you will surely strain your finances. Plan for what is needed and budget to save for something better in the long run. Since many brands compete to offer great products at competitive prices, it’s a good idea to research the best budget-friendly products or even go for second-hand products at half the price. 

2. Space Available in the House 

If your real estate is on the smaller side, you might want to reduce buying unnecessary furniture. Initially, babies are tiny, so bassinets, cribs, clothes, changing tables, diapers and formula will take up most space. If you have a dedicated nursery, plan to keep everything within the room. If not, wait until you move to a more prominent place to buy stuff you fancy. 

3. Baby Shower 

If you plan to have a baby shower, wait for all the gift items you will receive from your friends. Once you have a list of all that there is, you will have an idea of everything else needed. Setting up a baby shower registry is a great idea to let people know the items you’d like to receive. On the same note, you will also receive items passed down from other parents who wouldn’t need them. 

4. Baby’s Gender 

Most people still wait until they know the baby’s gender before planning for the nursery décor. To find out the baby’s gender, you will have to wait till the 20 weeks scan, beyond which you will know for certain. The baby’s gender won’t matter if you plan to go gender-neutral. 

5. Pregnancy Month 

Many parents wait until after the first trimester before going on a shopping spree. The pregnancy is going well, and women are in the best stage with the morning sickness behind and all the extra energy. 

6. Parenting Philosophy

Consider your parenting philosophy and values when selecting baby items. Some parents prefer minimalistic approaches, opting for essential items only, while others may lean towards more specialized gadgets or organic products. Align your purchases with your parenting style to ensure they resonate with your beliefs and priorities.

Is It Bad Luck to Buy Baby Stuff Too Early?   

Good and bad luck is an idea that many people believe in, which has no grounding in reality. At best, it can be called a superstition. Buying things early during the pregnancy does not influence how the pregnancy will progress. If anything, buying things with low prices is a good long-term idea. On the other hand, it’s also possible to make bad purchasing decisions such as buying something too early or unnecessary.   

Things You Should Not Buy for Baby

It is important to limit what you purchase for the baby. Here are things you can avoid after you have decided when to start shopping for baby: 

• Baby formula is a consumable you need to wait before stocking up. It is impossible to tell which formula they can handle until they are born. 
• Baby shoes are also a commodity that is unnecessary until you know what fits well for the baby. 
• Avoid stocking up too much of anything. If you find that your baby cannot handle a particular lotion brand, the whole batch goes to the garbage. 

FAQs

1. Can I buy baby items before I know the gender?

Absolutely! Many essential baby items, such as clothing, diapers, and nursery furniture, are gender-neutral and can be purchased regardless of whether you know your baby’s gender. Focus on acquiring items that are practical and universal, and you can always add gender-specific items later once you know.

2. Should I wait for a baby shower before buying anything?

If you’re planning to have a baby shower, it’s wise to hold off on major purchases until after the event. Baby showers are an excellent opportunity to receive gifts from friends and family, which can significantly reduce your shopping list. However, it’s still a good idea to have some essentials on hand beforehand, especially if your due date is close to the shower date.

3. What if I prefer to spread out my purchases over time?

Spreading out your purchases over several months can be a practical approach, allowing you to manage your budget and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Start with essentials like a car seat, crib, and diapers, then gradually add other items as needed. This approach also gives you the flexibility to take advantage of sales and discounts throughout your pregnancy.

We hope we’ve answered your question – when should I start buying baby stuff? The best time to start buying stuff for your baby is after the first trimester when you are ready with the plans for a nursery and know the baby’s gender. Having a list of all the things you will need will help you check off items each month and prepare for the baby’s arrival. 

Also Read:

Newborn Baby Shopping
Hospital Bag Checklist for Delivery
Things to Take Care of Before Baby Arrives
Things To Do in Your Last Week of Pregnancy 

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