How To Save Money on Baby Clothes

Having a new baby comes with buying a lot of baby stuff. When you add the cost of diapers, baby gear, clothes and more, it can be pretty overwhelming. But having a new baby doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. Trust us, it doesn’t!

When you’re on a tight budget, you can still get high-quality clothing. The key is knowing where to buy clothes for a fraction of the price during your baby’s first year and beyond.

We have some money-saving hacks for you if you’re looking to save money in the baby clothes department.

Tips to Save Money on Baby Clothes 

1. Go Gender Neutral 

If you have a boy, you don’t need to buy stereotypically all ‘boy’ clothes. The same is true if you have a little princess. By going neutral, you can save money if you plan on having another child. You can repurpose clothes in any color and use them again - any color suits any baby, you don’t have to conform to gender stereotyping when it comes to color.

If you buy all clothes that are geared specifically towards boys in terms of fit, and end up having a girl the second time around, you’re going to be buying an entirely new wardrobe again. No one wants to do that. Shopping in gender neutral baby clothes sections will set you up nicely for fits that work for both a baby boy and a baby girl's anatomy. 

2. Only Buy the Necessities 

As much as those baby Nike’s are super cute, your baby may wear them once, if that! By sticking to the necessities, and avoiding expensive items, you can save a ton on baby clothes.

Babies really only need onesies, pajamas, socks, and maybe a couple of cute outfits. They grow so fast that if you try to stock their closets, you’re going to end up with a bunch of clothes that still have the tags on them. They’re going to grow out of them before they can wear them. Think practical and buy as you need, not as you want. You’ll soon see how much money you are saving. 

3. Shop at Consignment Shops, Thrift Stores, and Garage Sales 

There’s nothing wrong with second-hand clothes. Some of those clothes may be from people who overbought and whose child hardly (or never) wore the clothes.

If you’re going to buy used clothes, check out consignment stores that are geared toward baby clothes. You can usually find a ton of clothes that are organized by size and even by color! This makes it easy to sort through them all and easily find what you want.

Perhaps not as organized, but even better priced, are clothes at thrift stores or garage sales. These are also hot spots where you can score baby clothes without paying full price. You just may need some patience to sort through it all to find what you need.

There are also some interesting start-ups out there that are changing the way we view the baby-clothes market and attempting to tackle this issue in relation to climate change. For example, The Little Loop is an online-marketplace that sells clothes via credits rather than money. It’s like a ‘shared wardrobe’ where you can send back and swap out clothes that no longer fit your little one. It’s a fantastic money saver. 

4. Search Online Consignment and Used Kids' Clothes Sites 

If you want to expand your circle of consignment shops, go online. There are many sites where you can find gently used clothing and score great deals on second-hand clothes. Weardotte.com and Mommy & Me Resale are two sites you’ll want to check out. 

5. Explore Social Media Groups 

Facebook Marketplace is one good source where you can buy clothes at a fraction of the price. People in your area will often sell ‘lots’ of clothes at once, meaning you can get a bundle of clothes for practically nothing.

When you’re on social media, also look for tag sales in your area. Online tag sales and Facebook Groups for parents are other great sources for baby clothes sold in bulk. Many people don’t want to go through the hassle of bringing their clothes to a consignment shop or take the time to have an in-person garage sale, so they’ll post their deals online.

6. Treat Stains Immediately 

Just because your baby gets a stain on their clothes doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. Instead, learn how to treat the stain immediately so that you can save the clothes and some valuable cash.

To do this, try dabbing white vinegar on the stain and let it soak in. Be sure to wash it in your normal delicate detergent so that it can smell fresh and clean for your baby. You can also try using baking soda and white vinegar to get out stubborn stains. Most importantly, rub the stain out straight away and throw it in the washing machine right away. By doing these things, you’d be surprised at how many baby clothes you can save.

7. Don't Be Afraid to Take Hand-Me-Downs 

Whether it’s a friend, family member, or friend of a friend, don’t be afraid to take hand-me-downs when they’re offered. If you are offered a free box of clothes, take it! You may find some hidden gems! You can get crafty and watch tutorials online about how to style hand me downs to your own taste by adding certain embellishments or making slight alterations so they fit your baby properly. 

8. Buy Clothes at The End of the Season 

If you think you can guess your baby’s size for next year, you can buy clothes for at the end of the season. You can find some amazing clearance and markdowns on clothing. You just have to be certain that whatever clothes you get will fit your baby next summer. If not, you would have wasted money on clothes that don’t fit.

FAQ Regarding How to Save Money on Baby Clothes 

1. How Much Should I Spend on Baby Clothes? 

The answer to this question is really going to depend on your income and what you can afford. But, if you do some research, according to Investopedia, the average cost of baby clothes is $60 per month during a child’s first year. You shouldn’t feel obligated to spend that much, especially if you’re getting amazing deals or secondhand clothes. You don’t have to get new clothes all the time. There’s nothing wrong with clothes from a thrift store or the hand-me-down fairy!

2. Where Can I Find Affordable Baby Clothes? 

Walmart has affordable clothes, especially when it comes to onesies and the essentials. You can also find some good deals at Target and also Amazon. Be a bargain hunter and look for deals anywhere baby clothes are sold and be open to buying from anywhere. The only thing you’ll want to make sure of is what materials the clothes are made from - if your baby has certain skin allergies then there may be materials you want to avoid. 

3. Should I Put a Lot of Clothes on My Baby Shower Registry to Save Money? 

Some new moms think about putting a bunch of baby clothes on their baby registry. But that’s really not a smart way for you to save money because then you’re taking away from the truly useful gifts you could be receiving, and what you receive may not be to your taste! Trying some of our other hacks is a more useful way to save money on baby clothes.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to saving money on baby clothes, remember simple is better. Choosing neutral colors and focusing on the essentials can save you a great deal. Also, taking advantage of what consignment stores, thrift shops, online consignment shops, and social media groups have to offer can be useful. Don’t forget about those second-hand clothes and hand-me-downs! When you keep all of these things in mind, you can become one good money-saving mama!