Save money by buying good-quality products that can be used as hand-me-downs, such as clothes and cots.
A new guide gives parents tips on how to stay at home with their babies, without breaking the bank.
The question of whether to stay at home with a new bub or return to work is rarely an easy one for new parents.
Right now, with the tough economic climate creating a tight employment market and everyday living expenses heading skyward, new parents, particularly new mums, are returning to work to pay the bills when they would rather be at home with their bubs.
A recent poll of some 1700 Australian women showed 42 per cent of women returned to work due to financial pressures. Another recent survey in the United Kingdom revealed that three out of five mothers would like more time off with their infant.
UK mum-of-two and blogger Becky Goddard-Hill said taking time off to enjoy your newborn was not an unattainable dream. She had planned to return to work after the birth of her son Franklyn, now five, when he was six months old, but things didn't go according to plan.
"Franklyn was only three pounds when he was born and he was in an incubator for a month," she said.
"When they let him come home, we were strongly advised not to place him in a nursery for at least a year as he would be vulnerable.
"I had only intended to be off for six months, but when it got to a year, I had enjoyed it so much and become super attached to him that I really didn't want to go back to work."
Goddard-Hill worked as a trainer in the field of child protection and was the prime breadwinner at the time she made the decision to put work on hiatus.
"I said to my husband we can live in a tent or caravan or move out of the area, but there was no way I was going back to work, which he fully supported."
Once the couple had made the decision, the first thing they did was phone their bank and organise a mortgage break. "One phone call was all it took, and the pressure relief was instant," she said. "It allowed us to adjust to life on one income with a baby."
Goddard-Hill has written a book, How to Afford Time off with Your Baby. It outlines 101 ways for new parents to budget, save and cut corners to allow one parent to spend more time with their child without sacrificing a bit of pampering and time-out for themselves now and then.
"You have to economise and start to think about every purchase," she said. "For mums, that can be tough. You've just come through this enormous experience and it is all about the baby and you don't want to look terrible, but you're a bit more weighty and while you want to look good and feel good, you've got no money.
"I was so desperate I actually let my husband give me a hair cut once, but," she added with a laugh, "I won't do that again in a hurry!"
She said a better idea was going for a stylish, low-maintenance look."One friend of mine had beautiful, bleached blonde hair before her baby and she decided going brunette was easier," Goddard-Hill said."Now she keeps it shoulder length in a hairstyle she can self-maintain."
And while you probably never want to wear your maternity clothes ever again, Goddard-Hill warns not to get rid of them as they offer a handy solution to last-minute fashion crises.
"Keep a couple of outfits because they are comfortable and easy, and in terms of making yourself feel good, give yourself a break instead of going out shopping," she said.
"Get in a bath and polish yourself up, or get out for a walk."
Goddard-Hill recommends new mums make the effort to introduce themselves to other parents at parks and playgroups as creating networks. A calendar of playdates will also help keep you out of the shops and gives you a social life.
"Shopping is a quick fix to feel better about yourself, but I am leaving the car at home now and getting out and walking," she said. "People are always up for a nice thing to do, so get to know other mums in the neighbourhood and ask them 'fancy meeting for a walk and a coffee'. It is easy to walk and talk."
Handy hints
- Use Ebay and local notice boards to advertise unwanted baby gear.
- Don't go out and buy lots of clothes for your bub - not only will people buy them for you, they could be the wrong size. Buy a three pack of romper suits from the supermarket and that will get you through the first few days.
- Circulate a gift list among friends and family for your baby shower so they can help you get stuff you need.
- Parks, beaches and cycleways all offer wonderful opportunites for recreation with your kids, and are free.
- Playdates at home keep kids occupied for a fraction of the cost of an outing.
- Encourage people to give you their hand-me-downs by offering your stuff to them.
- Go op-shopping in well-to-do areas for better quality!
Discuss money saving tips in Essential Baby's popular Managing Money forum.
