Kiddipedia
By Alynda De Souza – @mamajags
Becoming a mother for the first time can be a scary, yet oh so rewarding experience – and let me tell you, it stays that way no matter how many children you have!
The entire experience is chock full of emotions – prior to falling pregnant, throughout the pregnancy journey, and then before & after giving birth. There is no step-by-step guidebook to follow when becoming a mum, and every baby and every mother is so different. After welcoming my youngest daughter Emma into the world, my main goal of motherhood this time around was to make my baby’s first year memorable… and try to get a good night’s sleep!
We are constantly bombarded with images of the Kardashians and other celebrities on social media throwing lavish birthday parties for their children, and it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap and wonder how you can ever afford to give your child a memorable experience like that. But let’s be realistic for a minute – your little one won’t remember the extravagant balloon arches and personal chefs when they grow up; they’ll remember being surrounded by love and laughter.
As a mum to four girls, I’m all about the affordable approach when it comes to food, home and fashion … if you need fun and practical everyday goals, I’m your girl! While I love treating my family, we all know that babies grow up faster than you can snap your fingers, and as inflation continues to convert lettuce into currency, we’re all feeling the pinch these days! Here are some affordable ways that you can make your baby’s first year memorable without blowing your budget!
Capture those Kodak moments
If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely taken thousands of photos of your gorgeous little cherub – they grow so fast in the first year, and capturing those first milestones is a rite of passage! So you’ve popped them onto social media, but the big question is… what happens to your photos next?
Remember when physical photo albums were a thing? I used to love flipping through the pages and looking back on my baby photos – there’s nothing quite like the early days! Photo books had their moments a few years ago, but man were they pricey to put together.
As the world grows more tech based, older trends are resurfacing, like disposable cameras and Polaroid pictures – but these can be expensive. Why not try printing photos straight from your phone? They are cost effective at roughly 15c per 6”x4” print, and then as a bonus – you can delete them from your phone for extra storage once they’re printed! Make sure you back them up onto a hard drive first, of course!
Hot tip: Take a monthly milestone picture as your little one grows. You can look back and smile at the changes, but can also hang them as a fun garland at your baby’s first birthday party.
Shop for Value
Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that I’m all about keeping my girls looking stylish at all times – after all, you only get to dress them in baby sizes for a short while!
While I’m all about quality and style, I also know that babies are constantly growing and changing, and require new clothes very frequently. They also have a lot of little whoopsies, and so it’s important to have a stash of cute outfits ready for backups.
That’s why I often opt for value retailers like Best&Less when I shop, as they help to keep my little one in clothes that fit and that meet the ever changing clothing trends too. They’ve got you covered with the basics for layering, everyday wear and special occasions. They’re even the perfect place to grab key holiday pieces like matching family Easter PJ’s, Halloween costumes, or the ultimate Christmas morning outfit! They make for great photos and memories to treasure, but they’re often only worn once or twice – so shopping affordably is the best way to go!
As for when your little cherub is old enough for day care, that’s a whole other ballgame! You’ll very quickly realise that easy to wash, good value baby clothing is the way to go.
Hot tip: Look for pieces that wash well and are play-friendly, because our babies learn through hands on experiences! No child needs a Prada onesie for playing in the dirt, trust me on that one!
Document the Small Moments
Baby brain is a real thing, and it tends to hang around long after your little one arrives. Add in the craziness of these last two years, with pandemics and lockdowns, and I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast this morning – or if I even ate!
Keeping a Baby Book to capture all your child’s ‘firsts’ is a great way to commemorate exciting times such as their first smile, first word, first tooth, first steps and more. It’s a great keepsake for them to look back on later in life – and for you too, Mama!
A Baby Book doesn’t have to be fancy – a simple scrapbook with handwritten notes will do the job! You can also purchase some super affordable prints on Etsy, which you can create your own budget friendly book or canvas from.
Hot tip: Take notes monthly and document them alongside their milestone photos – that way, you’ll always have something to refer back to!
Show them the world
Whether you are a stay-at-home mum, a working mum, or a hybrid of both worlds, it’s important to take the time to expose your bub to new experiences on a regular basis. Why? It helps them to explore the world around them, and it also helps you to create new memories with your little family!
Even experiences you’ve done before are made new again, because it’s always special making memories with a brand new family member. Of course, some activities can become quite expensive for a family on a budget, so in the spirit of making affordable memories, try opting for outdoor adventures. You can explore the local wonders in your community, head to the beach, go for a road trip, or even keep an eye on Groupon and other marketplaces for travel deals and last minute holiday bargains.
Hot tip: Try to avoid school holidays and weekends when you’re looking for accommodation or getaways. You’ll save a fortune by booking out of peak times!
Celebrating ONE!
So you’ve made it through your baby’s first year – congratulations! There’s nothing quite like this momentous occasion; you only get one first birthday!
Here’s the thing…first birthday parties may be about celebrating your baby, but they’re more for the parents and loved ones than for the children. Gathering your friends and family together to thank them for their support over the past twelve months, and to celebrate the fact you kept a human alive for this long, is definitely worth celebrating.
Save the Kardashian budget for their 18th or 21st parties and keep things simple and affordable – it’ll be a day to remember, regardless of how much you spend. Throwing a wholesome picnic in the park or at the beach are great low-cost options. Whip up some decorations, ask everyone to bring a plate along to share, make a fun cake and boom, you have the perfect first birthday party!
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or are a frequent flyer on this rollercoaster ride we call parenting, be sure to soak up every moment – because time is a thief!
