If you’re expecting a baby or simply planning to have one, a big challenge can be budgeting for the new arrival. It can be a shock to realise how much you need to spend on some of the main items such as prams, cots and car seats. Even the smaller items such as nappies, baby food, toys and clothes can all stack up at a time when you may be experiencing a drop in the household income due to maternity leave. With this in mind it’s a good idea to try and set aside money ahead of the pregnancy and birth.

However, even with the best laid plans, the news that you are expecting may come as a surprise and you may not have the amount of funds you would like stashed away. If this is the case there are steps you can take to reduce costs and keep within a tight budget.

First of all talk to friends and family who already have children and ask them about what you really need. There are plenty of gadgets and gimmicks out there that are quite simply a waste of money so do your research before you buy.

Steer clear of expensive baby cloths as the baby will grow out of them within a nano-second. Keep the tags on clothes in case you don’t get a chance to use them and can then swap them for a bigger size.

Make a list of all your required items and give it out to close friends and family who want to buy you gifts for baby. This way you don’t end up with tons of unwanted clothes and toys but can select the items that are most important to you.