When I was a first time mom, only the coolest crowd knows about the internet. And me being married to one, I have unlimited access to all parenting resources one can find in the internet. So I thought I was prepared for what motherhood and being a home maker has to offer. So I thought.. it turns out, there really is nothing that can truly ever prepare you to being a mom. Emotionally, physically, and most specially financially.
Having a baby gives you a new perspective in life. You matured instantly and suddenly it is not just about you and your husband anymore. Everything you do is for the baby, all the things you aim for is for the baby. And you want the best, nothing but the best, top of the line. It’s very normal to think that spending more for your baby is part of being matured, of being a selfless mom, selfless parents. It may seem like it’s true during the first year. In reality or as you go on, you realize that there are things that you wished you did not bought.
To help you prepare for your motherhood journey, I asked my mommy club members to share a practical or tipid tips for first time mommies. Here are the Top 5 Practical/Tipid tips for a first time mom:
1. Never sacrifice birthing because of budget considerations. Pinag iipunan talaga yan. But you can still be practical when it comes to giving birth by asking your OB if your preferred hospital have an economized package. First time moms are advised to give birth in a hospital because of possible complications for giving birth the first time. How much it is to give birth in a hospital? It depends if it is public or private. When I gave birth to Marius last 2016, our maternity package from the hospital total cost is 60,000 PhP. Ask your OB about it and don’t by shy. You are not being a bad first time mom/ parent for asking a discount or a more practical package.
2. Be practical when buying clothes and toys. This is something that I wish someone told me or insisted on doing so. When I had my first baby, I want everything brand new! Truth of the matter is, my baby would still be the same baby as he is even with hand me down clothes. Be practical with that, check hand me downs first before buying. And when it comes to toys, your baby will probably will need just 1 or 2 and the rest is your face or anything you touch like the remote control.
3. You may not need a crib. Specially if you have plans on co-sleeping. Our crib took so much space and only lasted for months. It’s not just about the durability of the crib but also usability. It’s not as usual as I thought it was. But if it really something you feel like buying, check hand me downs first. What baby gears you need to buy as brand new? You need a car seat and a high chair, 3 years after and we’re using ours. Invest on a car set that can be used from infant to the time that they no longer need one. Of course if you don’t have a car, you don’t need one. Stroller? I highly suggest baby carrier such as ring sling or wrap.
4. Push on breastfeeding. Do you know how much you can save if you will breastfeed? 5000 PhP per month! Breastfeeding has a lot of benefits too, not just for the baby but for the mommy too. Do you know that when you breastfeeds, your body releases a relaxing hormone that makes you feel sleepy? It designed as that to give the moms the much needed rest for their body. You also save on other stuff when your breastfeed, like feeding bottles, sterilizers and additional cost on water.
5. Monthly birthday celebration is not a must do but personally, I encourage moms to do it. It’s just about celebrating the baby’s monthly milestones but also celebrating your monthly milestones as a first time mommy. What I can tell you is, don’t splurge on it. A small cake and a platter of your favorite pasta will do. Make the celebration more meaningful by making letter addressed to your baby or to you and take lots of photos!
Bonus tip: Buy a really nice mobile phone before giving birth, I assure you, you’re gonna need!
Khryz Cementina says
September 4, 2019 at 10:00 pmI wish I’ve read something specific as this before I gave birth, especially the “Push on breastfeeding” part. 🙁 P5,000 is super accurate for the cost of his formula / month.