It is no secret that having and providing for a new baby is an expensive job. With the expense of those all-important early doctor's visits, necessary items for the nursery, and the rising prices of formula, diapers, and various infant accessories, it seems a wonder that anyone can afford to reproduce anymore. While it's difficult to argue in favor of cutting corners when it comes to your baby, there are a few ways that you can save money on some of your baby related purchases. Baby clothes and layette needs are fortunately one area where you can afford to save a few bucks without diminishing the level of comfort and care that your little Nick or Jessica receives.

Secondhand Baby Clothes

This is a sore spot for some parents and not without good reason. The thought of putting ?used? clothing on your baby can come with numerous unspoken horrors and various levels of mental anguish. After all, how do you know where that used Onesie has been? Fortunately, concerned parents can rest their minds easily and put aside the fears associated with purchasing secondhand baby wear by following a few bits of common sense. Used infant attire should only be purchased from a reputable source. A thrift store like those run by the Salvation Army or a good secondhand store that specializes in baby goods (Other Mothers is a particularly good chain in the Western United States) can be considered safe sources since they make a point of sterilizing such items before offering them for resale. Avoid purchasing any items for a baby from a garage sale or ?flea market? unless you know the seller personally and even then do so with caution. Any secondhand baby items you do obtain ? even those given to you by friends or family members ? should be washed thoroughly before you ever put them on your child.

Shopping Online

The internet has been doing wonders for people's wallets for years. In almost every case items that you can purchase in a local store can be found online for less. Baby clothes are no exception and there are literally hundreds of e-commerce web sites that will be more than happy to sell you everything you need for your baby's layette and wardrobe at a considerable savings compared to what you'll pay at the local Babies ?R? Us store. In addition to baby clothing, almost every other conceivable baby need can be met online for less. In many cases you can get free shipping as well. The web won't save you from the occasional midnight run to the local 24 hour grocer or Wal-Mart for emergency diapers or formula, but it's a veritable hero in most other regards.

Other options for saving money on baby clothes and accessories do exist, and most are fairly common sense approaches. Buying infant wear from Kmart, Target or Wal-Mart is certainly going to cost you less than shopping at Dillards, JC Penney, or Sak's, for example, as will choosing off brand or no-name items instead of Baby Dior and Weebok's. Babies cost enough money as it is, there's no reason not to put a little green back in your pocket now by saving on baby clothes when you know you'll be shelling it out for braces and piano lessons later in life.

Written by: Kirsten Hawkins