Babies are expensive. Nappies, formula, clothes they outgrow in 3 weeks. Here's how to not go broke in the first year.
The Big Stuff: Where to Save Hundreds
Prams and Car Seats
New prams cost £300-1,000. Buy second-hand instead:
- Facebook Marketplace / Gumtree: £50-150 for barely-used prams
- Vinted / eBay: Same deal
- NCT Nearly New Sales: Local baby gear sales, everything is dirt cheap
What to buy new: Car seats (for safety - you don't know if a used one has been in an accident).
What to buy used: Prams, cots, highchairs, baby monitors, toys.
Clothes
Babies grow out of clothes in weeks. Don't buy new unless it's a gift.
- Vinted: Baby clothes for £1-5 per item
- Supermarket own-brand: Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's (£3-8 per outfit, decent quality)
- Hand-me-downs: Ask friends/family with older kids
Avoid: Branded baby clothes (Next, Gap) unless on mega sale. You're paying 3x for something they'll wear twice.
Nappies: The Ongoing Expense
You'll use 5,000-6,000 nappies in the first 2 years. At 20p per nappy, that's £1,000+.
Cheaper Options
- Aldi / Lidl nappies: £3-4 for 50 (vs £8-10 for Pampers). Quality is 95% as good.
- Subscribe & Save on Amazon: 15% off if you subscribe to regular deliveries
- Buy in bulk from Costco: Massive packs, works out to 10p per nappy
Reusable Nappies (Hardcore Mode)
Upfront cost: £200-300 for a full set. Saves £800+ over 2 years.
Pros: Massive long-term savings, better for environment.
Cons: You'll be washing poo out of fabric. A lot.
Not for everyone, but if you can stomach it, the savings are real.
Formula: The Hidden Cost
Formula costs £10-15 per tub, lasts 3-5 days. That's £80-120/month.
How to Save
- Supermarket own-brand formula: Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury's all make formula that meets the same UK regulations as Aptamil or Cow & Gate. It's £8-10 per tub (vs £13-15).
- Buy in bulk during sales: Stock up when Boots or Tesco run 3-for-2 offers
- Join the Boots Parenting Club: 10 points per £1 on baby products (vs 4 normally), plus exclusive vouchers
Note: Some babies are fussy and won't take certain brands. Start with own-brand, switch to premium if they reject it.
Free Stuff from the NHS and Council
Healthy Start Vouchers
If you're on benefits or low income, you get £8.50/week in vouchers for milk, fruit, veg, and formula.
Apply at healthystart.nhs.uk.
Free Vitamins
Pregnant women and kids under 4 get free vitamin supplements via Healthy Start.
Free Dental Care
Pregnancy = free NHS dental care until baby is 1 year old.
Baby Clubs and Freebies
Boots Parenting Club
Free to join. You get:
- 10 points per £1 on baby products (instead of 4)
- Exclusive vouchers (£5 off £30, etc.)
- Free samples sent to your house
Emma's Diary
Free samples and discount codes from brands. Sign up during pregnancy, they send stuff throughout the first year.
Bounty Packs
Free at the hospital after birth. Full of samples, vouchers, and junk mail. Take the vouchers, bin the rest.
Childcare: The Biggest Cost
Childcare in the UK is absurdly expensive (£1,000-2,000/month for full-time nursery). Here's how to reduce it:
Tax-Free Childcare
Government scheme: for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2 (up to £2,000/year per child).
Apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
15 Hours Free Childcare (Age 2+)
All 3-4-year-olds get 15 hours/week free. Some 2-year-olds qualify if you're on benefits.
From 2026, this expands to 30 hours for working parents.
Childminders vs Nurseries
Childminders are cheaper than nurseries (£5-8/hour vs £8-12/hour) and more flexible.
Toys and Entertainment
Don't Buy New Toys
Babies don't care if toys are new. Buy from:
- Charity shops: Toys for £1-5
- Car boot sales: Massive hauls for £10-20
- Facebook Marketplace: "Free - collection only" listings
Toy Libraries
Some councils run toy libraries where you borrow toys for free (like a book library). Google "[your area] toy library."
Prescription Costs
Kids under 16 get free NHS prescriptions. If you're pregnant or have a baby under 1, you also get free prescriptions (apply for a maternity exemption certificate).
Birthday Parties (The Pressure)
First birthday parties are for adults, not babies. The baby won't remember it. Don't spend £500 hiring a venue.
Cheaper option: Home party, homemade cake, close family only. Save the big parties for when they're old enough to care (age 4+).
Best Shops for Baby Gear
- Aldi / Lidl Specialbuys: Baby gear at 50% off high street prices
- Home Bargains: Nappies, wipes, toys - all cheap
- Poundland: Baby basics (bibs, spoons, bowls) for £1
- IKEA: Cheap, functional baby furniture (highchairs, storage)
CodeLand New Parent Savings
We track discount codes for Boots, Mothercare, and other baby retailers on CodeLand. We also list which codes stack with Parenting Club points.