It does take more money to raise multiples than a singleton, so it’s a really good idea to try and save what you can, when you can. Over time you’ll find that there a lot of ways to get what you need for less.

Buy cheaper gear when possible

The price of baby gear can really add up. And while there are some things you really do have to spend money on, there are other things on which you don’t need to break the bank. Whenever you can, try to find hand-me-downs, used items for sale in your neighborhood, or even things that you can borrow for a while.

For example, early on, your babies will be small enough to bathe in the sink, so you don’t have to spend on bath products until they’re large enough to sit up in the bath. For baby clothes or diaper bags, try a thrift or consignment store. These stores have clothes that your little ones will find perfectly fashionable, but for cheaper than you otherwise might find them.

Hold off on certain purchases

Things like high chairs and toys probably won’t be necessary until your little ones are a few months old, so for the time being, direct your checkbook elsewhere. And you never know: by the time you’re ready to buy, you may have a good lead on a hand-me-down version.

Bulk, bulk, and more bulk

Obviously you don’t have to come home with 50 packs of 30 diapers (on second thought, maybe you do), but there are a lot of products that will cost less if you buy them in large amounts. Powdered baby formula is one of these products. Baby wipes, burp clothes, and – you guessed it – diapers are others.

Promotions, deals, and mom discounts, oh my!

Lots of websites offer ‘mom discounts,’ as well as deals for parents of multiples, in-store and online coupons, and special promotions. These savings really add up, so they’re worth some online sleuth time for sure!

Be ‘that person’ with gifts you don’t need

You’ll get a lot of gifts that you can use, but what about the occasional gift that you don’t need or that you already have? In these cases, it’s in your best interest to return the items when possible or to exchange them for items that you’re desperate for. Yes, you might have to explain to a relative where the baby wipe warmer went, but they’ll understand when you tell them the money went towards actual baby wipes.

Put away money whenever possible

Even the smallest bit of money stored away helps in the long run. The little things really add up, and you’ll want to have money saved for checkups, childcare, and other future costs.

If this seems overwhelming, rest assured that over time you’ll get the hang of things. And it will probably take trial and error to figure out what works for your family, cost-wise.

10 time-tested baby food favorites

Wondering where to begin your shopping list? Try kicking off Baby’s homemade baby food adventures with some of these simple baby-friendly delicacies.

• Apple
• Avocado
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Lentils
• Mangoes
• Peaches
• Prunes
• Spinach
• Squash
• Stew meat
• Yogurt

How do I choose the right ingredients?

The operative word here is “fresh.” There’s also some evidence that buying organic can be good for babies, so you may sometimes choose to buy fresh produce that’s organic, if you can. Babies have less of an ability to filter out pesticides from their systems than adults do. If you can’t buy organic, fruits and vegetables that are in season may not have been exposed to as many pesticides as other fruits and vegetables. Scrubbing fruits and vegetables before eating them, and removing peels or outer leaves can also cut down on pesticide exposure. Frozen and canned foods are usually fine as long as they don’t contain additives like salts, sugars, or special sauce. If you end up going with canned ingredients, try not to buy any products that are packed in their own juices, as the juice often contains additives.

How should I prepare these ingredients?

Whatever you’re cooking for Baby is going to be either partially or fully pureed. So when it’s chef time, start by inspecting your ingredients and removing anything you wouldn’t want inside a blender: seeds, skins, gristle, etc. If you’re using firm vegetables such as sweet potatoes, give them a thorough boil or steam until they’re tender and sufficiently squishable. Any meats or fish should also be cooked until well done. Finally, once everything has had a proper swirl in your pureeing device, check the consistency. You might need to add some water to achieve an ideal softness.

Serving and storage suggestions

Before you wish Baby a sincere bon appetit, give your freshly-made baby food a few minutes to cool off, especially if the primary ingredient is any kind of boiled vegetable. If there are any leftovers after you’ve wiped Baby’s chin, you can refrigerate them for up to 48 hours in a sealed container. However, if the cuisine in question contains any meat, fish, or eggs, be sure to reuse it within 24 hours of refrigeration.