Between diapers, doctor appointments, and all of the “little things” that you have to purchase regularly, the cost of having a child can be high. Thankfully, there are ways to get free baby stuff and reduce parenting costs.
Brands are happy to let you try products to find the best items for your baby. With a little effort, it’s possible to get over $1,000 in samples to help save money on what you need for your child.
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Where To Get Free Baby Samples
There are plenty of places to find samples locally and online. However, you may need to register for rewards programs or pay shipping costs.
While each program is unique, getting free samples by mail is typically simple and can be done quickly.
Free Sample Boxes
Sample boxes are amazing because they include various products to try and can be one of the easiest ways to get free stuff.
These boxes often include a selection of the following free product samples:
- Baby lotion
- Baby shampoo
- Diapers
- Formula
- Nursing pads
The boxes often have coupons that make it easier to save money on baby stuff. There are several different ways that you can receive a free baby box.
1. Create an Amazon Baby Registry
An Amazon Baby Registry is a terrific way to get free baby stuff by mail and make a registry.
Not only does creating an online registry help you see what you need to get for your new baby, but friends and family can view your list if they want to buy anything for your little bundle of joy.
Your Amazon baby box is worth $35, contains basic essentials for your baby, and ships for free. However, the service doesn’t disclose what the box contains.
Plus, you must be a Prime member, add 10 unique items, and have at least $10 in registry purchases.
Other benefits of this service include:
- A 15 percent completion discount on ungifted items
- Free returns for up to 365 days
- Multiple people can split expenses for large purchases
The completion discount starts within 60 days of your expected due date.
Consider putting expensive baby products on your wish list, such as diaper bags or a breast pump. This way, you can purchase items at a lower cost if a friend doesn’t gift them to you.
If you regularly shop on Amazon, they’re one of the best baby registry sites you can use.
2. Make a Target Baby Registry
Along with Amazon, making a Target Baby Registry is another opportunity to get free samples.
The free welcome kit is worth up to $100 in samples and baby coupons. Expecting mothers can pick up the box at their local Target’s guest services counter.
Additional benefits of the rewards program include:
- 15 percent discount on unpurchased registry items
- One-year return and exchange window
- Exclusive deals for one year
The discount starts eight weeks before your baby’s due date. This retailer is also a terrific place to get cheap baby clothes.
3. Build a Registry at Walmart
The Walmart baby registry is free to join, and you can get up to $40 in free stuff with the welcome box.
The samples vary by registry welcome box and can include these brands:
- Dr. Browns
- Dreft
- Enfamil
- Huggies
- Johnson’s
- Mam
Another benefit is having one year to make returns and exchanges. It’s possible to buy and return items online or in person.
Unfortunately, this program doesn’t offer a completion discount for non-gifted items, so this may not be the best store for saving money on baby products compared to Amazon and Target.
You may consider asking for free gift cards to Walmart if you’re not sure what you need to buy. This way, you can get funds now so that you have money on hand when you know what to purchase.
How To Get Free Diaper Samples
Any parent knows how expensive diapers can be for a growing baby. Thankfully, there are ways to get free diapers for your baby or find coupons to save money.
4. Join Amazon Family
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll earn discounts and credits to get free baby diapers in addition to receiving extra savings on your registry and an accompanying free sample pack.
When you join Amazon Family, you’ll get up to 20 percent off diapers, baby food, and more. You get the savings by enrolling in at least five subscription boxes through the Subscribe & Save program.
Certain brands may also run promotions to offer extra discounts if you buy enough participating items.
While you won’t receive free diapers upfront, the savings add up.
Amazon Family is a free added feature of Amazon Prime. This means you can use it at any time.
If you’re not an Amazon Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to test it out.
5. Get a Sample Box From The Honest Company
You can get discounts on diapers and wipes with The Honest Company.
Baby diapers and wipes from The Honest Company are environmentally friendly, which means they are:
- Plant-based
- Made without latex
- Chlorine and fragrance-free
They do this while still offering advanced leak protection and diaper rash prevention.
You can save money by entering a discount code on your first Diapers and Wipes subscription box.
This isn’t a free sample kit since the box normally costs $89.99, but buying the items separately costs $111.59. This equates to a 19 percent savings.
Each box contains:
- Seven diaper packs
- Four packs of wipes (288-count)
- 10 percent discount on added products
You will also receive a free gift for every third order and save 20 percent on subscription boxes.
Having an abundance of baby essentials on hand makes it easier to be a new mom because you may not want to run to the store frequently to pick up a few replacements.
Shipping is free for each box in the contiguous United States. You have 90 days to return items within the mainland United States.
6. Check the National Diaper Bank Network
The National Diaper Bank Network is a nationwide non-profit that helps struggling families find free diapers.
If you are a low-income household and believe you won’t be able to afford baby diapers, the organization connects you with local agencies that can provide you with free baby items.
How To Get Free Baby Formula
Depending on the formula you buy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that infant formula can cost up to $1,500 annually.
For many parents, that number is terrifying. Fortunately, there are ways to get free baby formula.
7. Ask Your Doctor
Many doctors work with and market formulas from certain companies, so asking your doctor for free samples is wise. Some healthcare providers may give you full-sized formula containers.
The doctor may also be able to refer you to charities or businesses that offer discounts or free assistance.
For instance, Gerber Baby participates in the WIC nutrition program when your little one is ready for first foods and second foods to supplement formula feedings.
8. Sign Up for Enfamil
When you sign up for Enfamil Family Beginnings, you’ll receive up to $400 worth of samples, baby formula coupons, and other goodies.
It’s free to join, and you’ll even have the opportunity to win free formula for a year.
The formula company also has rewards programs where you can earn points to save money on baby formula in the future. Rewards members can earn 10 per dollar spent and 100 points when joining.
You can start redeeming points for infant and toddler formula with 250 points. Downloading the mobile app also helps you redeem additional discounts and coupons for exclusive savings.
9. Sign Up for Similac
The Similac StrongMoms Rewards offers up to $400 worth of baby freebies, including:
- Formula samples
- Similac.com Schedule & Save purchase discounts
- Nutrition guidance for mom and baby
- Shutterfly photo book
It’s free to join, and there are loyalty programs for specialized baby needs. For example, the MySimilac Alimentum Rewards addresses food nutrition, allergies, and colic.
Plus, NeoSure Rewards provides advice and coupons for moms and preemie babies.
10. Join Nature’s One
When you sign up for Nature’s One Sample Program, you’ll receive one 12.7 oz container of the formula you choose for free. All you have to do is pay the shipping and handling fee of $10.
This applies to these formula products:
- Baby’s Only Organic
- PediaSmart
Being able to receive a full-size sample means you can have multiple feedings to decide if a particular product suits your newborn.
There is a limit of one container per household, so make sure you select the most appealing option.
How To Get Free Baby Books
Reading to a baby can help them learn new concepts and provide hours of entertainment. Getting free books keeps this cost low.
11. Kindle
You can use your Kindle or download the Kindle app on your phone or tablet to access free eBooks for your child.
Although some books cost money, you can filter the children’s book section to find ones that have been marked free. Then, you can download them.
You can access these books at any time through your account.
12. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available in most of the United States and several international countries.
The program is free, and you can join by entering your child’s birth date online to receive age-appropriate books.
Once you enroll your child in the program, they will receive a free book each month until they reach the age of five.
You can start the program as soon as your child is born. That means your child can receive 60 free books.
These books cover a variety of themes, including:
- Enhancing the senses (i.e., sight, sense, and touch)
- Nursery rhymes
- Colors, letters, and numbers
- Values and character
- Science
- Poetry
13. Babies First Books
As soon as you visit Babies First Books, they will ask you for a promotional code to receive five free books (a value of up to $40) of your choice.
All you have to do is enter the code OFFERS. Then, you can get them for free.
*Related: Want to save money on cosmetics? Check out our guide of ways to get free beauty samples by mail to score deals.*
If you want more than five books, you will pay an additional $3 per book.
How To Get Other Freebies
There are countless other resources for new parents to find everyday baby items for free or at a discount. Below are two of the best ways to get free baby clothes.
14. Get Free Leggings
You can get $50 worth of baby leggings for free by going to Baby Leggings and entering the promotional code SPRING50.
Better yet, you can choose any pattern you want and enjoy the savings. Leggings start at $10 per pair.
It’s also possible to buy bandana bibs from the online store.
Shoppers cannot combine promo codes to waive shipping fees. Keep in mind that the leggings discount is the better deal.
15. Get a Free Baby Sling
If you want to carry your baby around easily, you can grab a free sling through Seven Baby. Just enter the code FREESLING4ME and get a sling worth $40.
*Related: Do you like to use meal delivery services? Read our guide on the best meal delivery companies like HelloFresh to save money on meals delivered to your door.*
You will have to pay for shipping and handling, but that’s a small price to pay for a free sling. You can also choose the pattern you want.
It’s important to note that some slings cost $55. However, only having to pay $15 plus shipping costs for a sling is a good way to minimize baby expenses.
Bottom Line
Babies are expensive, but saving money on your child is possible. One of the best ways to do that is to get baby freebies.
You can even take this list a step further. Reach out to the brands you love the most and ask for coupons or discounts. They might say no, but you never know unless you try.
Free baby stuff is all around you. You just have to know where to look.
What is one of your favorite ways to save money raising children?
Josh uses his personal experience of paying off over $130,000 in personal debt and changing careers to write about saving money, investing, and paying off debt. He has regularly written for notable outlets including Wallet Hacks, Well Kept Wallet, and Debt Roundup.
Josh was previously an operations supervisor for a Fortune 500 company for seven years. He is married with three small children.
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