The internet will tell you that you need to spend $5,000 before your baby arrives. You don’t. This planner shows you exactly what things cost at every price tier — so you can budget with confidence and spend on the things that actually matter.

What’s inside:

– Full price breakdown for 5 categories: sleep, feeding, on-the-go, changing & bath, clothing

– Budget, mid-range, and premium options for every item

– “Where to save” and “Where to spend” advice for each category

– The 4 smart shopping rules that prevent overspending

– Best times to buy (Prime Day, Black Friday, registry discounts)

– A personal budget tracker you can fill in before you start shopping

Where to spend and where to save — our tested picks

The planner gives you price ranges. These guides help you pick the right product at the right price.

Worth spending more on:

Stroller (you’ll use it daily for 3+ years)

>> Read: How to Choose a Baby Stroller — The Only Guide You Need (2026)

>> Read: Best Stroller That Folds Small in 2026

Baby Monitor (peace of mind when sleep training)

>> Read: Best Baby Monitors 2026 — The Complete Buying Guide for New Parents

Safe to go budget on:

– Cot / Crib — IKEA Sniglar ($80) meets every safety standard

– High Chair — IKEA Antilop ($20) is recommended by feeding therapists

– Nappy bag — Any $30 backpack with compartments

– Clothing — Buy secondhand, accept hand-me-downs, skip newborn size

Money-saving cheat sheet

These are the biggest savings opportunities most new parents miss:

1. Create registries you never share

Amazon and Target both give you a 10-15% completion discount on anything left in your registry. Create one, add what you need, wait for the discount. Free money.

2. Buy the previous year’s model

Baby monitors, strollers, and pumps release new versions every year. The previous model is functionally identical and often 20-40% cheaper.

3. Time your big purchases

– July (Prime Day): monitors, pumps, strollers

– November (Black Friday): everything

– January & August (clearance): clothing for the next season

4. Never bulk-buy before testing

Buy ONE bottle, ONE nappy brand, ONE formula tin. Your baby will reject at least one of them. Better to waste $8 than $80.