Baby on a budget - the bare essentials

Recently, I was browsing through a baby blog when I came across an article about baby essentials that mentioned high chairs as one. This had me thinking; since when did high chairs become an essential baby item? Better yet, what is the bare essential for a baby?

So today, I'll be sharing my answer to this question with a list of the 7 baby bare essentials that any parent must own.

Here are a few points to think about when budget-shopping for your baby:

Size is a crucial aspect of baby essentials. If you're buying clothes, keep in mind that babies grow faster than you'd expect so don't purchase too many items of the same size. Instead, try to go a bit bigger to avoid throwing out unused items just because they're too small.

The same goes for things like carriers and cribs, you want those to last for long periods so make sure they accommodate different stages of development.

Buying in sets or bulk is always a nice way to save some cash. However, it's best that you do this with items that you go through quickly or will be using for a long time such as onesies and bottles. You can also buy related items as a set to cut on costs, like the healthcare kit I'll be talking about later on.

First up on the list has got to be baby bottles, of course. Besides breastfeeding, most mothers use bottles to give their babies formulas as well. Many of them rely on baby formula alone so bottles become a necessity.

Tommee Tipper baby bottles are a fantastic option here because they're not just high-quality, but also they're affordable.

Remember, buying bottles as a set as opposed to singles will save you money in the long run. All you need to do is change the teat for a higher flow rate as your baby gets older.

Now that you've got feeding out of the way, it's time for a baby bed. I think a portable cot is really the way to go if you're on a budget (or not!) as opposed to a permanent crib.

Being portable, you can use this cot in so many convenient ways. For example, you can set it up in the living room or kitchen and go about your chores with your baby close by. You can also pack it up and take it on trips and family visits.

This baby cot from Red Kite is a fine choice when it comes to safety and it's quite affordable as well.

Grooming is crucial to your baby's health and overall hygiene. So instead of buying individual items, get them as a kit to save some money.

This healthcare kit from Tommee Tippee offers 9 baby grooming items that are completely safe and gentle yet effective. It includes a hairbrush, a comb, a nasal aspirator, a hairbrush, a digital oral thermometer, a toothbrush, nail files, and a nail clipper.

When it comes to baby transportation, I've found carriers to be the superior option if you're looking to cut down on unnecessary costs.

Compared to a stroller, a carrier is significantly cheaper. But that's not all, a carrier also lets you use your hands to perform other tasks such as shopping, carrying bags, and eating.

This baby carrier from ECOSUSI offers 3 carrying methods so you can choose the most convenient one at a given time. You can have your baby face the world, face you, or you can go with back carrying. It can safely hold a child up to 9.1 kg heavy.

Onesies are one of the most useful clothing items, yet they're rarely handed down because they get beat down pretty quickly. You can put your baby in a onesie by itself, or layer it under PJs for extra warmth.

Since you'll probably be going through onesies every time or two you change the baby's nappy or when you give them a bath (this happens a lot, believe me), you're better off buying them in sets.

These onesies from Mamas & Papas come as a pack of 5. They're made of 100% cotton with Nickel-free clips at the gusset.

Have you ever tried giving a baby a bath while you're holding them? Don't. It's unsafe, messy, and simply, impractical to repeat every day.

A baby bath is a necessity to help make bath time easier and more enjoyable for you and your baby. This one from Shnuggle offers great support for your baby's body while being compact enough to use in the shower, the kitchen sink, or the nursery.

Lastly, you can't leave your baby without pampered skin considering how delicate they can be. Even if you can't afford the high-end jazz, this budget-friendly lotion from Aveeno offers outstanding moisturising that's just as good as any.

It uses natural ingredients derived from oats to keep your baby's skin hydrated. It also helps soothe sensitive skin, creates a protective barrier, and restores normal PH levels.

There you have it, my top 7 baby bate essential products. What's your favourite product? Did I miss something? I'd love to know your opinion so be sure to leave your answers in the comments!