Newborns sure can be expensive, but if you're savvy with your pennies, you CAN make some serious savings. Here's how ...

It's an annoying fact of life that when you most need a financial boost your income will probably have taken a hit (thank you, maternity leave).

However you still need to buy all the things a newborn baby needs. Sigh.

What with buggies, cots and, not to mention nappies, it's now wonder that bank Shepherd's Mutual estimated that a baby's first year could cost up to £11,498!

Yikes!

But with our savvy hacks below you can claw back the spending. Here's how to spend smarter, not harder.

1. Borrow a breast pump

An electric breast pump can be eye-wateringly expensive (you're looking at £100+). So ask around and borrow one instead. Once sterilised, it's good as new.

2. Pick your nappy brand wisely

Quality nappies don't need to come with a high price.

Aldi's range of Mamia nappies run the gamut of sizes from Newborn to Junior+. They all contain the brand's award-winning Ultra Dry Air System™ which works hard to keep newborns comfy and dry.

The nappies are both dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic, and have even been accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.

Basically they're designed specifically for the delicate skin of a newborn, but without the hefty price tag you might expect. Get this: a Mamia Newborn 24 pack works out as 3.2p per nappy!

3. Don't buy baby clothes too far in advance

As all parents will tell you, newborns can have sudden growth spurts. You'll hear many a story of friends who bought their little ones a winter coat in September, only to find it straining at the seams by the time winter actually arrived.

4. Choose unisex clothes

Aside from the fact that 'blue for boys and pink for girls' is a little passe, you'll save serious £s if you opt for basics in white, yellow and green instead. And avoid the prince and princess slogans! Plus, they'll work as hand-me-downs when you want to pass on the savvy-spending baton.

5. Sign up for vouchers and newsletters

Brace yourself for the influx of marketing emails, but signing up to as many baby-related newsletters as you can is a serious way to save bucks. A 10% off voucher here and a buy-one-get-one free offer there and you'll have racked savings that'll have made the #spam worth it. Aldi's Special buy baby events are SERIOUSLY worth it when it comes to discounts. Make sure to find out when your next one is. Head here and sign up to the newsletter at the bottom of the page.

6. Test drive your friend's buggy

Not sure what make or model of buggy to go for? Don't be lured by expensive marketing campaigns and what the celebs have got, ask your pals instead. Literally road test their buggies while you're pregnant – try getting them in and out of your home, ask them if they have enough storage compartments and test how it handles going off-road if that's important to you. You'll soon get a feel for what you think will work for you and your family.

7. Ditch baby shoes

Fun fact: baby's develop the walking muscles in their feet better when they don't wear shoes. They may look cute, but does your newborn really need 10 pairs of Italian leather booties when they'll be 'walking' a total of 10 steps a day? Nah, didn't think so ...

8. Buy white, forget stains

It sounds illogical, but bear with us ... if you buy white babygros, all-in-ones and socks then if they get dirty you can spot bleach them, rather than ruining a patterned or coloured version. See, clever?

9. Visit your local library

Instead of forking out for expensive sensory classes or the latest baby yoga iteration, see what's on at your local library for parents and babies. Chances are it'll be free or a lot cheaper than the 'cool' classes that pop up on your Insta feed. We should have known the 'crystal-healing sound bath for babies' class wasn't worth the hype ...