Shopping for a new baby can get really expensive really quickly. Everybody wants your money and will tell you that their product is the indispensable thing that’s going to change your life as a parent. But a lot of the time you can do without a huge amount of items that are being marketed to you.

This list is my most straightforward, for people who are on a tight budget and looking for an honest guide to reliable products at competitive prices from trusted brands.

I’ve included only the very basics: sleep, transport and basic hygiene items. I realise personal requirements differ (you may be planning to exclusively baby wear rather than buying a pram, for example) but or the sake of ease I’m assuming that most people reading this are looking for help with the major big ticket items – a cot or crib, a pram/pushchair, a car seat etc. I’ve not included feeding items, but will be covering this in future guides.

A Mum Recommends uses affiliate links. This means I might receive commission if you click on my links and go on to make purchases. However, please be assured this does not impact my product choices or recommendations.

Skip to the good part:

• Cots and cribs
• Pushchairs and prams
• Car seats
• Baby Carriers
• Baby monitors
• Sterilisers
• NappieS & WIPEs

Shopping for second-hand baby items

The good news for those on a budget is that 90% of the things that you need for your child can be acquired second hand. A lot of high-ticket baby items are used for less than a year, sometimes less than 6 months, and most have plenty of life in them after this.There are loads of places that you can look to start your second-hand search:

• Charity shops
• Facebook marketplace / freebie groups
• Vinted
• eBay
• Car boot sales
• NCT nearly new sales
• School jumble sales
• Mum 2 Mum market sales 

Keep an eye on notice boards in supermarkets, church halls, hospitals and community centres for sale events in your local area. If you live in a residential area, take a walk on bank holidays and warm weekends in case anyone is doing a clear-out and leaving items outside their house for free. I’ve found some amazing toys this way!

If you’re really struggling to make ends meet, there is further help out there from support groups, charities and baby banks, and there is no shame in seeking it out. In most cases you will need a referral, so speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor first. You can visit the website of the amazing Baby Bank Alliance to find a map of all the major baby banks across the UK.

Items you must buy new for your baby

There are two big ticket items that you should not buy second hand for safety reasons. These are your car seat, and your baby’s mattress.

Other small items that go in the mouth like bottle teats, teethers and dummies should also be new. Most other items are usually fine to buy second hand.

Why can’t I use a second-hand mattress for my baby?

A new mattress should be purchased for your child’s safety and your reassurance. Second-hand mattresses have been linked to an increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) so organisations like The Lullaby Trust advise you buy a brand new one for each baby.

This includes mattresses for bedside cribs, moses baskets and newborn cribs, as well as larger cot and cotbed mattresses. If you’re buying a second-hand pram and plan to do lots of naps on the go, it is probably worth seeing if you can buy a replacement mattress for this too.

The good news is that mattresses are not hugely expensive compared to what you’d pay for an adult one. At John Lewis, for example, you can get a new mattress for a Moses basket for £12, and a full size cot mattress for £28. If you want to keep costs down, ensure your cot takes a standard size of mattress (60 x 120cm for a cot or 70 x 140cm for a cotbed). Some brands make their items a little wider, deeper or narrower so you have to buy their branded mattress to match (often at an inflated price).

Why can’t I use a second-hand car seat for my baby?

It’s advisable not to purchase a second-hand car seat because you cannot guarantee the history of that seat, therefore you won’t know if it’s been in a collision. Any car seat that has been involved in an accident/collision must be disposed of as it may be damaged. Sometimes this damage isn’t visible from the outside, but even a seemingly small bump can affect the internal integrity of the seat.

I know that car seats are expensive and acquiring one brand new is costly, but in this case the safety of your baby is paramount and it has to take priority in your budget. If you’re going to drive with your baby in a car, your car seat should be where any budget you do have goes.

You may think it’s acceptable to use a second hand car seat if you are 100% confident that the seat has not been involved in an accident – if it comes from a close friend or family member who you fully trust, for example. There is no legislation that stops you from doing this, but there should be a manufacturer’s recommended service life printed on the seat – a bit like a “best before” for the seat. This is not a legal expiration date like in some other countries, but it should be considered. Old car seats that have been in storage for years may have exceeded this lifespan. They also won’t be up to date with the most recent safety updates and innovations, which are always evolving.

1. A cot, crib or sleep space

According to UK organisations such as the Lullaby Trust, the NHS and the NCT, the safest place for a newborn baby to sleep is in the same room as you, put down on their back in their own dedicated sleep space, such as a moses basket, crib or cot. For this reason, my recommendations are products that will allow you to follow this guidance.

What about co-sleeping?

Co-sleeping is when you bring your baby into your own bed and sleep together with them. The NCT reports that as many as half of all families in the UK will have co-slept to some extent in the first 6 months and it’s very natural to want to do it, especially if your baby won’t sleep easily in a cot or crib. If you do co-sleep, just remember there are some important guidelines you must follow. You should not co-sleep if any adult sharing the bed smokes, has been drinking alcohol or has taken drugs.

There is no one size fits all approach to baby sleep, and you must do what’s right for your family. My product recommendations below assume you will be trying – at least some of the time – to have your child sleep independently. This is simply because you are unlikely to need any new equipment if you intend to co-sleep.

Your main options for a sleep space for a newborn baby are a moses basket, a crib or bedside crib, a cot/cotbed, or a carrycot.

A traditional Moses basket is compact and easy to move around. However, they’re seldom the best option if you’re on a budget, as babies can outgrow one in a matter of months. I’ve included one in my list just in case, though.

A newborn crib is a smaller, more portable sleep space that’s suitable until around 6 months (maxing out at 9kg). They usually consist of a metal or wooden frame with fabric sides, and may also have extra elements like rocking functionality, adjustable heights and so on. Like Moses baskets, cribs have limited longevity, but usually include more features.

Bedside cribs (sometimes called “co-sleepers” or “next to me” cribs) fasten to the side of your bed and have a drop-down side to allow for easy access to the baby. These are amazing if you’re breastfeeding or recovering from a c-section and are the closest thing to co-sleeping while maintaining a separate space for the baby. Although not the cheapest option I’ve include these in my list as they’re a very popular product, and great for space-saving in a small room in those early months.

Although your newborn may look tiny in it to start with, a full sized cot or cotbed can be used from birth, and it will last until you feel your child is ready to move to a bed (which could be anything from 18 months to age 3). If you have room for a cot in your bedroom, getting one straight away and doing without a moses basket or crib will save you money. Many come with the option to put the mattress higher up to avoid having to bend down in the early months.

Finally, there’s an often-overlooked repurposing option. The lie-flat, parent-facing newborn carrycot that you use on your pushchair frame can sometimes be used as a permanent sleep space too. If this is something you’re interested in, check the product description carefully – not all carrycots are designed for this type of use, and it’s often pricier brands that offer this functionality.

Why aren’t all carrycots suitable for overnight sleep?

If it’s fine for your baby to sleep in a pram while you’re out in the day, why is it not suitable for sleep at home too? There are a few reasons: firstly, babies in prams are mostly being supervised. At night you’ll be asleep too (hopefully) so you won’t be supervising in the same way even if the baby is in the same room as you.

Secondly, most carrycots have simply not been designed or tested for this type of use, so it will not be recommended. The mattresses may not be the same as one designed to withstand the levels of use a crib or cot gets. The depth of the carrycot is also key: you’ll notice the ones approved for overnight sleep are extra deep, such as the luxurious UppaBaby carrycot . This protects your baby if they suddenly learn to roll during the night.

Look for the specific phrase “suitable for overnight sleep” in product information provided directly by the manufacturer. Some carrycots are listed as “suitable for occasional overnight sleep” – these work better when you travel, or could be handy if you have a cot permanently upstairs but need somewhere for your baby to nap near you during the day.

My favourite budget cots, cribs and Moses baskets

2. A pushchair (pram, stroller, buggy)

First-time parents are usually quite shocked when they find out how much pushchairs/prams cost. A newborn buggy from a premium brand like Bugaboo, iCandy or UppaBaby can easily top £1,000. Dior sells a designer buggy for over £5,000. Although you can get a very basic pushchair/stroller to use from 6+ months for as little as £30, it’s harder when shopping for a tiny, fragile newborn. It feels like it’s getting increasingly difficult to find a decent newborn pram with a carrycot from a reputable brand for under £400. But it is doable. You may have to compromise on certain elements and features, but there are some good bargains to be found if you know where to look.

For the first 5-6 months babies in a pram/pushchair should lie completely flat, either in a carrycot or a seat unit with a fully-flat recline – ideally one that faces the parent. There are some strollers that are marketed as being suitable from birth that don’t have a parent-facing option. There’s no law against this, but I rarely meet parents who are comfortable with a world-facing seat in the early months – we want to see our babies as we push them, but it also protects them from overstimulation. For this reason, all my choices have a parent-facing lie-flat seat or carrycot included. This does add to the cost, but I think it’s a must for a newborn. If you’re looking for a budget stroller for an older child, stay tuned for my ultimate pushchair guide soon!

What about a travel system? Do I need one?

A “travel system” simply means that a compatible infant car seat can be clipped onto you pushchair frame (usually using adapters). This is handy for transferring your baby from the car without disturbing them too much, or for short trips. However, a car seat is not really a replacement for a carrycot or a lie-flat seat. It doesn’t keep a baby fully flat and shouldn’t be used for long periods of time outside the car. An infant car seat is a safety item, not a comfort one. If you plan to push your pram for more than about 20 minutes, use a carrycot or lie-flat seat.

Travel systems are convenient, but it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you have to buy an expensive bundle from one brand. You don’t! Some of the best and most popular infant car seats (like those from Cybex or Maxi-Cosi) use universal adapters that will fit on a wide variety of pushchairs. You may also miss out on the many options for from-birth car seats that stay fitted in your car. They’re not quite as convenient in the early days (although the introduction of 360 swivel has helped) but are often better value long-term. A travel system may be important to you, but do investigate other options, especially if you drive frequently: the car seats in budget bundles tend to be very basic.

My favourite budget newborn pram/pushchairs

A word on generic / non-branded pushchairs

A quick search on Amazon, Wish, Ali Express or similar marketplaces will bring up hundreds of budget prams and pushchairs that seem like a good deal. I don’t recommend products unless I have personal experience of them and/or good knowledge of the brand that manufactures them, and it’s impossible for me to try all these prams. When researching these prams, I’ve often spotted what I consider to be red flags, such as the brand name on the buggy being different to the one listed in the product information. It’s often difficult to find details of safety testing, max weight limits, dimensions etc as well, and I definitely wouldn’t use a car seat that came in one of these bundles. When it comes to baby safety, I have a responsibility when it comes to my recommendations, but I’d love to hear your experiences if you’ve tried one of these pushchairs.

3. A car seat

If you’re going to take your baby in a car at any time – even just home from the hospital – you will need a car seat. There are two main types to consider. The first is the classic infant carrier, which looks like a little baby seat with a handle. These seats usually last until around 12-15 months, depending on the size of your baby. This type of seat may be compatible with a travel system, and they’ll either fit into the car with a seat belt, or they’ll come with a base that you fit into the car using a system known as ISOFIX, which hooks onto loops built into the seat frame of your car. A couple of very new infant carriers have built-in ISOFIX adapters, but they’re expensive so don’t feature here.

The second type of seat is one with a built-in base that’s fitted into the car and designed to stay there. The downside of this is that you have to lift the baby in and out. The upside is that these seats are often much better value as they can last up to age 4, 7 or even 12. They may also have a minimum height limit which rules them out for babies who are born small. Some are not suitable until your baby is a few months old.

My favourite good value infant car seats

Car seats are difficult to recommend fully without knowing more about your lifestyle and budget, the car you drive and the size of your baby, so I’ve kept this list quite short. You can find my policy on car seat recommendations here. If you’re interested in more tailored advice, drop me an email.

A word on fitting your car seat

A recent report suggests that up to 70% of car seats are either unsuitable for the child, incorrectly fitted, or both. It’s of paramount importance that you measure your child’s height and weight frequently and adjust or upgrade when needed. It’s also important to make sure your car seat is fully compatible with your vehicle and fitted in the correct position.

Car seats are safety devices. They’re not always intuitive to fit. If possible, get expert help fitting your seat. If you can’t, study the instructions in detail. Most manufacturers also have online videos that show the steps in detail. Practice before your baby comes! If you’re using a seatbelt to fit the seat, ensure it’s routed correctly, the strap is not twisted and it’s pulled really tightly. Fitted correctly, a belted installation should be no less safe than ISOFIX, but there is a much bigger margin for error.

You also need to ensure your child is in the seat properly: this means the harness is not twisted, and it’s pulled nice and snug. Try to pinch the straps at the collarbone – if your fingers slide off, it’s tight enough. If you can pinch fabric, pull that harness tighter. Don’t put kids in the car seat in bulky padded coats or snowsuits, as these stop the harness from doing its job. Ensure you’re moving the headrest up and removing any inserts as they grow, so the straps are always at shoulder height (or just above/below depending on the manufacturer’s instructions). Don’t move up to the next seat until you need to – max out those height or weight limits to get the most from your seat.

4. A baby carrier

Babywearing is a great way to soothe your baby, keep them close, and transport them around easily. However, the prices of carriers vary hugely. Some fashion carriers can be upwards of £300, but it’s also easy to find decent ones for under £50. I’ve featured a couple here I love from reputable brands that I trust: these will not be the absolute cheapest on the market, but they are ones I stand behind for their value. This is a category where counterfeiting is rife so do be careful if a deal feels too good to be true.

I also really encourage you to look for second-hand baby carriers. A lot of families stop babywearing quite early, so some of these products have only been used for a few months – and they’re almost all washable. I picked up a LilleBaby Complete (which retails at around £100) for £10 on Facebook Marketplace. You can easily find Ergobaby carriers for around the £50 mark: a third of what they cost new. Other good brands to look out for second-hand include Tula, Baby Bjorn and Freerider.

5. A baby monitor

A baby monitor is not a must have – generations of parents coped without them – but they are a very popular product and a helpful tool to provide reassurance to parents. You don’t need to be in a rush to buy one as your baby should be sleeping in the same room as you for the first 6 months, but I know a lot of parents do invest before the baby arrives, so I’ve chosen to include a few good budget ones here to help you in your search.

6. A steriliser

Guidance on sterilising in the UK is quite strict, with the NHS advising that all feeding equipment is sterilised until a child is 12 months old. This include bottles, breast pump parts, nipple shields, dummies and so on, so most families will need to get used to the process. The NHS also clearly states that a dishwasher is not enough. Even if you wash items there, they need to be sterilised afterwards.

The old-fashioned way to sterilise is to boil items in a large pan of water for at least 10 minutes. This requires no extra equipment, but with utility bills as high as they currently are, may not be the cheapest solution in the long run. I prefer one of the below methods.

7. Nappies & Wipes

There are two or three options when it comes to your baby’s hygiene. The first option is the most popular and arguably the most convenient: disposable nappies. The second is reusable or cloth nappies. You may also be interested in a more experimental method such as Elimination Communication (EC), which aims to potty train almost from birth, reducing the overall cost of either of those products. It’s a big undertaking, but if you’re interested in giving it a go there are some good resources available from The Nappy Lady, Go Diaper Free and The Bump.

For now, I’m going to assume most readers are making a decision between disposable and reusable nappies.

Disposable nappies

Disposable nappies are widely available and the simplest and most popular option. They are easy to use and very convenient. On the downside, they are costly and notoriously bad for the environment. More environmentally friendly disposable nappies are available, but do tend to be more expensive. The entry-level option here would be Kit & Kin eco nappies, which work out around 22p each depending on how you purchase (subscriptions/bulk buy works out better value).

If budget is your number one concern then your cheapest option will be bulk-buying nappies from a budget supermarket, where nappies can be as little as 3p each. Both Aldi and Lidl nappies perform really well in testing, and I thoroughly recommend either if you’re on a budget. Unfortunately you will probably still spend a lot of money on nappies in the first few years because you just need SO MANY, but rest assured you won’t be getting a substandard product. There is a slight difference between a budget and premium brand, but if money is tight, it probably isn’t worth splashing out, especially at the newborn stage. If you do have some wiggle room in budget, try the more premium nappies at night as your baby begins sleeping longer stretches and see if they make a difference.

Cloth nappies / reusable nappies

Cloth nappies have enjoyed a resurgence in the last decade or so which is amazing news for a number of reasons, not least the environmental impact. However, understanding the market can be overwhelming as a new parent as there is just so much out there.

Our parents or grandparents may have been pinning together triangles of terry towelling, but the cloth nappies of the 2020s are a whole different beast. They have velcro, removable inserts, elasticated gussets and come in all manner of beautiful prints and fun patterns. The issue is knowing where to start. Building your “stash” can mean a big outlay in the first instance. Plenty of people have crunched the numbers and there is absolutely no doubt you will spend a lot less on cloth nappies than you would spend on disposables across the whole time your baby is in nappies. But with cloth the spend tends to come in one or two big purchases early on. With disposables, it’s spread out over a few years, which may be better for your budget.

Something else that’s come into play in the last few years is an increase in energy costs associated with laundering these products. High energy bills are an issue here because most cloth nappies need to be washed at quite a high temperature (60°C), and you may need specific detergent. However, advocates for this kind of product have found loads of economical ways of making this work, and it is really important that we consider the environmental impact of disposable nappies versus cloth nappies when making the choice.

If cloth nappies intrigue you, please do try them. The more of us that do it – even part-time – the more it’s going to drive change. A number of beautiful cloth nappy companies have folded since I had my baby, no doubt as a result of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, and that is a crying shame as this can be a really cost-effective solution that also helps protect our planet.

My go-to brand for easing into the cloth nappy world is Bambino Mio, which offers starter kits and simple-to-use products that don’t require too much specialist care. Modern Cloth Nappies and Little Lamb are also great brands to consider.

Can I use second-hand cloth nappies?

Some people are unsure about second-hand reusable nappies, but there’s actually a big market for them. If you have family members who use cloth nappies back in the day, you’ll probably find they were used for multiple siblings. Used correctly, they are washed at high temperatures which sanitises them. The fabrics that good quality cloth nappies are made from actually get softer and more absorbent after being washed multiple times, so second-hand ones can be a great investment provided they’ve been well cared for. Many people also buy reusables to try, but never fully commit, so there are plenty of nearly-new options out there too.

Specific nappy groups and local jumble / nearly new sales are often the best place to look, but there’s also a thriving market for cloth nappies on Facebook marketplace. Vinted will only allow brand new ones to be listed at present.

If hygiene is still a concern, there’s a specific method called “strip washing” that you can do to essentially ‘reset’ reusable nappies and ensure they’re fully sanitised and ready for your baby.

Cotton wool and baby wipes

During nappy changes, you’ll need something to clean your baby’s bottom. You can start with lukewarm water on 100% pure cotton wool, and this is especially good in the first few days as the dark, sticky poos of newborns (meconium) can be tricky to clean up without a lot of water. Parents will generally move to wipes a few weeks in, but there’s no need to do it. When and if you do, just make sure they are labelled as suitable from birth.

When buying wipes, they should be plastic-free (plastic wipes are set to be banned in the UK) and ideally biodegradable. I try not to preach too much about environment but this really is the least we can do, especially if we’re using disposable nappies. Lidl sells good biodegradable wipes for 69p a pack, so being on a budget shouldn’t be a barrier.

In my experience, as with nappies, there’s not enough difference between a budget and a premium wipe to justify spending more if you’re trying to save money. No wipe is perfect, and as most brands move to a more environmentally-friendly product, you’re really just buying water-soaked fibres whether you spend 60p or £2 on a pack. A common complaint is that they’re hard to get out of the pack: a great tip is to put a hair tie around the pack, over one side of the hole. This slows them down as you pull so you don’t take 3 at a time when 1 will do.

Cloth wipes are the other option. Not only are they better for the environment, they also give a much more thorough clean. If you don’t fancy dealing with them for nappy changes, I definitely recommend them for hands and face once you start weaning – it’s so much easier to get your baby clean after a meal. Obviously they do need washing (at high temperatures) but chuck them in with your muslins and/or cloth nappies if you’re using them, and it just becomes part of the routine. Cheeky Wipes has the market sewn up in the UK and their starter packs are really great, you can get a basic one for £19.99. Or you can make your own using old towels, blankets, muslins or similar.

I hope I’ve covered all the obvious big ticket items in my list, but if there’s anything else you’re struggling to find on your hunt for budget baby items, do let me know. I’m always looking for ways to upgrade and improve these guides.