There are several ways that you can safely cut the cost of caring for your baby, and some costs that you should not try to cut.
Furniture—Any box, basket or drawer will make a fine cradle for a newborn baby. Don't buy a small cradle.
A playpen narrow enough to push through a door can also be used as a crib. The thin pad is just as good as a mattress. You will have to do a lot more bending.
Food—Formula concentrate, formula powder, whole milk and evaporated milk all cost about the same amount. The convenience and safety of the formula concentrate make up for any slight difference in price.
Don't start food other than cereals before age 6 months. Don't use much baby meat at any age; one jar a week is plenty until your baby is eating table foods. Use regular foods instead of those specially prepared for babies (but avoid canned goods not especially made for babies).
The special infant cereals are very convenient and contain added iron and vitamins; they are well worth the slightly higher cost.
Don't use vitamin or mineral drops if you are using a powdered or liquid infant formula. The formula contains all the vitamins and iron the baby needs.
Launder your own diapers. You can probably buy a washing machine for the $200 you save by not using diaper service or disposables! Even if you must use a coin laundry, you will save a few dollars every week.
Fancy clothing may be fun for you, but it doesn't help your baby. Save the money for well-fitted shoes and sturdy play clothes.
A bathinette is no better or more useful for bathing and changing a baby than is a sturdy table or kitchen-type cabinet and you can use the table or cabinet later for other things.
Public well-baby clinics are often free and usually give very good advice and shots. However, if your clinic doesn't provide telephone advice and if you must go to a private doctor or pay clinic for any illness, you may find that a public well-baby clinic saves you little money. This is especially true if you must lose time from work to use the free clinic. Don't be afraid to ask a doctor the charges for visits and shots when you call for an appointment.