New parents are splashing out around £4000 on their baby before he reaches his first birthday.
A survey of 2,800 UK parents by Philips AVENT showed that only 21% of families save up for their new arrival. But 52% make the majority of their purchases in a ‘new baby shopping frenzy’ during the first half of the pregnancy.
Pricey purchases included nursery furniture and buggies, not to mention clothes, nappies, toys and bedding once the little one arrives. Around 30% felt they’d spent too much on unnecessary items and 73% felt much more savvy with their second child.
With the credit crunch still biting, the survey claims at least 75% of new parents were worried about how to afford their new addition. Sue Hayward, Philips AVENT’s family finance expert, advises that “With just a little planning, new parents can make some sound purchases to welcome their baby into the world without breaking the bank.”
She suggests talking to friends, family and experts about the key quality items that will last and hold their value. Obviously, product reviews on websites like MadeforMums help you find the right baby gear to suit your needs. Parents felt the top 5 products worth shelling out for were pushchair (71%), cot (55%), car seat (48%), high chair (34%) and feeding equipment (26%).
