I just thought i`ll do this interesting post to help budget mums cope with the high cost of living in Singapore with a baby/infant.

- Preloved baby clothes handdown
(Ask around for baby clothes handdown, it can help you save quite alot as baby go through their clothes very quickly and they grow quite fast!)

-Buying of baby clothes if needed
(Sometimes as a  mum we want to buy clothes for our child, so i usually get 1-2sizes bigger. Its much better to buy bigger than smaller so they can wear longer!)

-Diapers & Milk Powder
(If  you can afford it, buy in a bulk during the random sale the supermarkets have! Those small little sum of amount you save during the sale, you`ll be surprised at how much you can save!!)

-Doctor
(If its just something minor, just go through polyclinic, if needed, get referral to a specialist at government hospital so that its more affordable.)

-Other various baby items
Always ask your friends if they have any to handdown because it can save you ALOT of money if they could!

-Buying of 2nd hand items
Some people may not be comfortable with this idea but this is one of the BEST way to save money. You can look at singapore.gumtree.sg  and www.singaporemotherhood.com as well as google more mother forums in singapore for sales of second hand items. They are about the half price of a new item. But please take note to check condition before handing over the cash!

-Buying of organic shampoo & soap for babies
(After all we mummies care for our babies,you can shop online at www.iherb.com using the coupon code SIW753  to get 5usd off the first purchase which means free shipping. The prices there are comparable to a normal baby shampoo at singapore. And even cheaper than singapore organic shampoo!)

-Sales Sales Sales
Lookout for taka baby fair and other baby fair sales to save more on baby products, there is a taka baby fair from now till 14 Aug, hurry!

-Breast pump
For breastfeeding mums you can invest in a good pump for half the price by getting a US set Medela Pump in style advance for half the price in singapore pump. As they are well known for their die hard engine, you need not worry about pump breaking down.
You can email me at my-helpdesk@hotmail.com if keen to purchase.

-Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the cheapest way to save money and is the most effective/cheapest way to having a baby, you need not spend 60+ on a tin of formula which runs out every 2-3tins per month. And it is the best way to raise your child IQ without spending on those formula milk which is no way comparable in breastmilk. It not only saves you money but time and hassle without going out like going for war with bags of formula powder, hot water, and 2 milk bottles.

And not to mention breastfed baby is a healthier and stronger baby out of the 10-15 times my friend`s formula baby is sick my baby only sick 1-2 times due to the natural virus around which is a very normal thing. The concern is how many times they are sick . Breastfeeding your baby is not only beneficial for the baby but also beneficial for the mummies! It reduces the risk of breast cancer,risk of uterine and ovarian cancer,lessen osteoporosis,  benefits child spacing, promotes emotional health and postpartum weight loss as breastfeeding burns calories,and of course not forgetting cost saving.

If you need help in breastfeeding/face difficulty in it, you can call/email the Breastfeeding Mother Support Group for help,  
www.breastfeeding.org.sg/ 
or approach a lactation consultant for further difficulty



or if you want, you can email me at my-helpdesk@hotmail.com  for help,  as a experienced breastfeeding mum of two babies, one self weaned at 14mths+ and one 10mth+ still breastfeeding. I have just finish my breastfeeding counselor course.

Here is a older post of mine regarding baby items for new mums, enjoy your new baby :)

Welcoming a new bundle of joy?Heres my written list of necessaries for mum to be/dad to get for your baby :)

1) Baby bath tub (if deliver at Mount Alvernia is free)
2) Breast pad, get around 2boxes, and if needed get more after deliver since price only difference of 1-2dollar.. Get Pigeon Brand.. so far i only use this brand, find it cheap and good
3) Bath Shampoo and Soap,i used the organic range as its better for baby and not to mention affordable or even cheaper than those "high end" soap for babies.

I buy the brand Baby Oh Baby from www.iherb.com which is not only cheap and for my babies, its better to get organic so that we dont expose them to chemicals and its best to use seperate shampoo and body wash. For first time purchase to get 5USD off (which means shipping free), type in the code SIW753 ..

As body wash chemical is harsher although they state for hair and body, it can harm the hair growth of the hair. Its best to get seperate. Remember, if you would like to get other brands, remember to check if its 100% organic as some of them are not 100% organic yet they "bluff" consumers and write organic. Another brand which is 100% organic is also Natural Baby Organics. You can also get alot of supplements from there which is cheaper. And higher grade.

4) Kotex Maternity Loop about $1.50 from NTUC, and Laurier SuperGuard Overnight Pad, 34MM, 12pcs $4.95.. Usually i put Overnight Pad below and Maternity Loop on top so that if leak will only Stain the pad not the panties, and each time i pee i would throw the maternity loop and change new one. so to keep the wound (episotomy) clean.

5) about 10 pieces of baby small square cloth to clean the drool etc. For my babies`s bath towel as i bath them using the cloth to "clean the body" with water while inside the bath tub, i use making memories hanky as its the softest i could find

6) 5 Big bath towel
7) 5 big cloth/towel/Muslin Cloth to wrap the baby cause sg weather hot.. Receiving blanket hospital will provide, if want just buy 1 or 2 extra to bring baby out with it
8) one pack of newborn pampers, cause they grow out of newborn pampers fast, so dont buy so much.. if needed, get your husband go out buy.
9) Breast pump, to pump after every feeding to increase your milk supply. get ameda brand if you budget, else get medela, from my research these are the two best.. Best is get dual pump, ameda is very affordable for dual pump.
10) Fully breastfed baby, just 1-2 bottles will do. Get BreastFlow bottle as it helps to improve latch and is really like the breast and introduce bottle after 6 weeks, but if ur supply really low then introduce early but get the breastflow from first years brand. Any doubt ask me.
And remember to get Bottle scrub brush as well as tollyjoy/pigeons liquid cleanser (to clean the bottles)
11) If you want to buy brand new clothes for newborn about 2-5 pieces will do as they grow up fast.Then get 3-4 piece of 3-6mths.
12) Ru Yi Oil
13) Go to any medical shop and tell them the liquid to clean baby`s tongue. Use that to clean your newborn mouth and tongue everyday
14) Rear-facing Carseat if you have car
15) Baby Cot ( Dont get playpen)
For baby cot get those that can slide down the side handle to join in your bed and have 2-3 adjustable level
16) Pure corn starch from pureen to use on your newborn as johnson baby powder has talc which can kill your newborn!
17) This is optional but to me is a must have. Now toys r us have sale, instead of 29.90 its only 19.90. Its the first years brand, airflow sleep positional, it will help baby to feel secure and not wake up the sleep from "shock"
18) Prepare a pacifier if you want to but get nuk brand, as its closest to mother`s breast and can only give after 6weeks to prevent nipple confusion from breastfeeding..
19) Get about 5 bibs in case you want to use it instead of the small square cloth when feeding milk and some newborn will vomit/spit out milk after milk feed..
20) If sleeping in aircon room, good to get those whole piece, long sleeve and long pants, cover from top to bottom onesies, called overall onesies too.Get about 2 newborn size and the rest of the size, see how it goes, loose never mind cause they tend to grow fast.
21) about 4-5 pieces of mittens as you need to change daily.
22) Baby Nail clipper
23) Thermometer
24) Baby Wipes, Get about 6 packs, Pureen Brand is not bad and cheap too.. Carrefour house brand the packet ones instead of the can ones, is good too, im using carrefour brand for now.
25) Disposable panties for mummy, you`ll be too tired to deal with everything, get a month supply of disposable panties! For me i bought felancy cotton disposable panties, very comfortable! I bought about 4-5 packs.

26) Beansprout Pillow, Helps baby to cope with the "shock" that newborn has. Can buy from here
www.mumobaby.com

27)Things its optional but good to have:
- Baby swing to make your baby sleep
-Baby Cot Organiser (its a life saver for me as it keeps everything organised)
You can get from here www.mumobaby.com
-Bobby Pillow to make breastfeeding not so tiring
-Stroller
-Mum in mind sling
- Nappy rash cream in case hospital bag never give but if you change the pampers regularly you dont need it
-Musical mobiles, This can be comforting for cranky babies
- Nipple cream for crack nipples ( usually breast milk will help with the healing, just air and put breatmilk at the cracked nipples, its more of a waste $ thing imo)
- A Pot to sterlise milk bottles etc.
- Cotton wool to clean baby face