HAVING a baby is an expensive business, with studies estimating a tot can set parents back up to an incredible £11,500 in its first year.
But the good news is that there are a tonne of freebies you can take advantage of while you're pregnant, and when you're a new parent.
"Baby product companies always have freebies on offer to make it cheaper and easier to try before you buy," Alice Gerwat, senior content editor at Magic Freebies, told us.
"We always have at least a couple of baby freebies on the site, and we've seen everything from free baby grows and nappies, to free food, baby wipes, nappy rash creams and plenty more."
Here, we run through our top suggestions for baby freebies, and explain how and where you can pick them up.
Baby packs
It's likely that you'll get information about the Emma's Diary packs when you go to your midwife appointments.
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There are three packs that you can get, which will take you from pregnancy through to new parenthood.
In the third pack – the New Family pack – you will receive Palmer's Tummy Butter, baby wipes, Nappy cream and Aquafresh toothpaste.
You can also pick up a free 22-pack of Pampers Nappies as part of the Bump to Baby pack, from Argos or Boots.
Follow the information given to you by your midwife, or click here to register for the Emma's Diary newsletter and free packs.
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Another pack you can pick up at shops including Tesco, Asda, Boots and Superdrug is the Bounty one.
The Mum-to-Be pack contains loads of free samples, and you can even get a full-sized pack of nappies if you pick it up at Tesco.
All you need to do is download their app for further instructions.
Once you've had your baby, you'll be given the Newborn pack in hospital on the maternity ward.
That also contains samples of products including nappies, baby wipes, and nappy rash cream.
Nappies
One of the things you'll be needing an awful lot of as a new parent is nappies.
And luckily there are a heap of places offering free nappies.
As well as the Emma's Diary pack detailed above, you can claim a free pack of newborn nappies from Aldi via Netmums if you have a baby weighing between four and 11lbs.
All you need to do is fill out the form here, and you'll be sent a voucher to redeem in any participating Aldi store.
Pampers are also dishing out coupons for a carry pack of Newborn nappies.
Again, you just need to register with the site and fill out a simple form, which you can do here.
And it's not just nappies for newborns that you can get for free.
For older babies, you can get a free sample pack of Pampers' Poonami Proof Pants by filling out the form here.
And for those parents who are potty training, or thinking about starting, you can get a free pack of Huggies' DryNites Pyjama Pants here.
Toiletries
Another popular baby club is the Boots Parenting Club.
If you've got an Advantage Card, signing up for the club is super easy, and you'll receive a free gift of Aveeno Baby Daily Care 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner when you do so.
You'll also be able to get extra advantage points on specific parenting items, further free gifts and a magazine packed full of parenting advice.
You can sign up here.
There are tonnes of things you'll need to buy for your newborn, and one way you can get everything in one place is to create an Amazon Baby Wishlist.
Not only can you and your loved ones purchase things from the list, but if you spend £20 on items on the list, you're entitled to a gift worth £14.99.
And there are numerous toiletry options among the gifts, including Neal's Yard Baby Balm, a nappy bin or a baby bottle set.
To create an Amazon Baby Wishlist, click here.
Food
You won't need to think about food in the early stages of your parenthood journey, as your baby will be having breast milk or formula.
But before you know it, it will be time to start thinking about weaning – and that's a whole new world once again.
However, there are several companies out there offering food-related freebies that you can take advantage of.
Ella's Kitchen is perhaps one of the most well-known baby food companies, and offers a free weaning pack containing tonnes of information when you sign up for their Ella's Friends club.
Doing so will also mean you are sent regular offers and chances to enter loads of parenting competitions.
You can sign up here.
And if you're a fan of grabbing a quick bite with your supermarket shop, you can visit any Asda cafe to get a free pouch of Ella's Kitchen food with any purchase.
You can also nab yourself a free pouch from the kind people over at Little Freddie.
You need to be signed up for Emma's Diary for this one, so use the same email address you did for that and sign up here.
If your little one has allergies, then you might want to consider using plant-based baby products.
And Grow with Iris is offering 30g samples of their plant-based growing up drink here.
Other freebies
If you travel by train into work, or for pleasure, then you will want to get a Baby on Board badge, which will help you get a seat even on crowded journeys.
Check with your local train provider to see how to get one, but those travelling in London can get one via TFL here.
Baby Milestone Cards are a popular gift for mums-to-be, but can also be a lovely addition to pictures of your newborn.
And you don't have to spend loads on a pack, as SMA Baby Club offers a cute Baby Milestone Calendar for free.
Sign up to the club here.
Another thing that is vitally important when you become a parent is that you have a grasp of at least basic first aid.
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While it's recommended that you do a first aid course before welcoming your child, St. John's Ambulance also have a free app that can give you life-saving advice in seconds.
Download on AppStore or here.
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