Plan It Out
Create a plan that includes up to your babies first year of life and start saving before conception. Your plan should include the cost of antenatal visits, any tests that may be required, nutrition during pregnancy and delivery fees if planning to have your child in a private hospital. Essentials for your baby’s first days of life should also be considered.
Take It Slow and Research
Detailed research of what your baby will need for its first three months of life should be carried out and noted down. Avoid buying baby stuff early on in the pregnancy as this may result in overspending, instead save and plan to buy in bulk from one shop so that you can get discounts.
A Little Extra for Emergencies
Plan to set aside a certain amount of hard cash with you at home during your maternity leave to handle small purchases like bones to boil soup. This is because you will probably be house ridden and you won’t be able to go to the ATM, bank or mpesa agent to withdraw cash
Plan for The Expense of A Nanny
You will require additional help with the baby or house chores so that you have ample time to recover. You can make arrangements with relatives to get you a house help from upcountry or register with a bureau to facilitate this.
Baby Shower
Hopefully, you have friends throw you a baby shower to enable you to get some of baby’s necessities especially diapers and high value furniture like cots. You can create a gift registry and don’t be shy to ask for specific things that you know your baby will benefit from.
Do Wholesale More Instead of Retail
Baby necessities such as Diapers and wipes can be bought in bulk from a wholesaler rather than a retailer. This will enable you to get better prices and you can save money.
Planning these items out and putting together a savings plan will ease some of your financial pressure. What is essential is that your health and that of your baby are taken care of and planned for.
Disclaimer:
Please note that development differs from one child to another.
Content intended for educational purposes only, and not a substitute for medical advice from your doctor.
Be careful when using any products mentioned on this website. We hold no regulations for such products or their providers.
Last reviewed April 2019
Sources: media7kenya, parent24, standardmedia
