Baby soaps and shampoos cost about the same as grown-up versions and are gentle on baby's sensitive skin. In the first few months, you don't need to bathe baby every single night, so a bottle of liquid baby soap should last you several months. Again, remember that baby isn't impressed by Gap, Ralph Lauren or Baby Dior. He's perfectly happy in onesies from Wal-Mart. Before baby is born, you should buy just one outfit for coming home from the hospital.
Toys are also budget breakers.
You may be tempted to run out and buy one of everything at the baby store, but try to restrain yourself. In the first few weeks of his life, your face is more exciting to baby than even the most expensive playthings, and you'll probably get lots of toys from friends and family. When baby is 3 to 4 weeks old, you can evaluate what you've received and see if there is something else baby really needs. You finally find a parking space at the mall. Now you have to leave baby in his car seat while you haul the stroller out of the trunk and open it up.