Shortcuts: save thousands by breastfeeding and not overspending on equipment and nappies

HAVING a baby is an expensive business. It’s easy to get carried away and want the best of everything but any experienced parent will tell you it’s a waste of money. Here are the top tips: 1. Breastfeed: Avoiding the expense of formula, bottles, sterilisers etc in favour of nature’s own feeding system can save thousands. Contact a local breastfeeding support group to help.

2. Clothing: You’ll want to buy every cute outfit you see, but a newborn only needs vests and Babygros. Everything else can be gifted, or hand-me-down. You don’t know the size/weight of your baby yet so there’s no need to buy anything except the bare minimum going into hospital.

3. Equipment: You’ll be told you need a ‘travel system’. This is complete rubbish. The trendy iCandy costs €1,432 from Mothercare. However it also sells the justas-good Silver Cross Pursuit (€449.99) while the Hauck SLX is €259.99 (Littlewoods).

4. Nappies: Babies don’t care what brand they’re wearing (yet). While a pack of 56 Pampers is €8.99 in Tesco, a 48-pack of size 1 nappies are just €2.98 in Aldi.