Being a parent is challenging enough without adding money worries. Once you add it all up, you could easily spend thousands annually on baby essentials.
And that estimate doesn’t even factor in the sky-high price of child care.
To make things a bit easier, we searched the web for the best sources of complimentary baby items for new and expectant parents — from formula samples to bonnet giveaways to diapers with adorable prints.
Where Can You Find Complimentary Baby Items?
Whether you’re expecting, caring for a newborn, navigating the toddler years or shopping for a friend’s baby shower, begin with these places to score legitimate free baby items from major brands and smaller makers.
In this piece, we collected 38 baby freebies and other cost-cutting strategies for caring for a little one, including:
- Free Baby Formula
- Free Diapers
- Free Items for Moms
- Additional Free Baby Goods
- Sign Up for Baby Registries to Receive Free Gifts
- Coupons for Baby Items
- Baby Subscription Boxes
- Local Free & Affordable Baby Resources
Free Baby Formula
Want to test a new formula without wasting money on a product your infant might reject? Request free formula samples from leading formula makers:
1. Enfamil: Enroll in Enfamil Family Beginnings to receive a complimentary welcome kit valued up to $400 and be entered for a chance to get a year’s worth of formula.
2. Nature’s One: Order a free sample of Baby’s Only Organic Premium Infant formula. The sample comes in full retail size (21 ounces); you only cover $10 shipping.
3. Similac: Join Similac’s StrongMoms program for as much as $400 in offers, plus ongoing coupons and discounts.
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Free Diapers
These brands and programs offer coupons, samples and ways to get diapers at no cost:
4. National Diaper Bank Network: The National Diaper Bank Network supplies free diapers to families in need. Locate a partner near you distributing diapers at no charge.
5. Huggies Rewards+:Huggies Rewards+ has teamed up with the Fetch app so you can earn points on Huggies purchases. Redeem points for gift cards via Fetch — ideal for diaper retailers like Amazon and Walmart to help you get diapers free (or other baby items). You can also enter sweepstakes to win a year’s supply of diapers from Huggies (roughly a $900 value) — the drawings run in six-month cycles.
6. Pampers Rewards: Join the Pampers Club rewards program and scan codes on Pampers purchases to collect points that can be exchanged for cash back, gift cards, free baby gear and more. The app also provides money-off coupons just for downloading and registering.
7. Abby&Finn: Claim a trial pack containing eight diapers and a travel pack of 20 wipes — you only pay shipping. You may select up to two trial packs per order.
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Free Items for Moms
Expecting parents should also plan for mom’s needs. Here are freebies you can get for yourself alongside baby giveaways:
8. Free Breast Pump: Under the Affordable Care Act, many health plans are required to cover a breast pump rental or purchase, whether or not you used the marketplace. Insurers decide if a manual or electric pump is covered and how long rentals last.
9. Free Nursing Pads: Receive up to 10 pairs of washable nursing pads from Breast Pads using these promo codes: ATHRIFTYMOM1 or 1FRUGALBABY. You’ll just pay shipping; the codes take $35 off an order.
10. The Belly Button: This brand’s clever items help you fit into pre-pregnancy pants comfortably during pregnancy — get a free Maternity Band or two Body Bands with the code NAME1. The code can slash up to $40 from your order; shipping applies.
11. The Noobie Box:The Hey, Milestone Box is a pregnancy gift box packed with samples for mom and baby — things like nursing pads, milk storage bags, stretch mark cream, vitamins, diapers, WaterWipes, diaper cream and a pacifier. Shipping for the contiguous U.S. is $12.95.
12. Free Samples for the Whole Family: Want free samples delivered to your door? Set up a PINCHme profile, answer a brief survey about your household, apply for samples, and then wait for freebies to appear in your mailbox.
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Additional Free Baby Goods
Look past the usual sources. Here are more baby samples and freebies you can try:
13. Shutterfly: Install the Shutterfly app to claim a free photo book each month for capturing family moments. The 6×6 softcover books range from 20 to 200 pages with the first 20 pages free; you’ll pay $7.99 for shipping.
14. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 to give preschoolers free books. The program has delivered over 200 million books worldwide. Check availability in your area and sign up if it’s offered nearby.
15. Car Seat Canopy: Score a free car seat cover from Canopy Couture using the code NAME1. The code can take up to $50 off (basic canopies retail around $49.95); you’ll just pay shipping.
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Join Registries for Free Baby Bundles
Registering for a baby registry at many retailers yields a welcome bundle of free samples — things like bottles, formula, blankets, diapers, coupons and other helpful products.
16. Amazon: Eligible Prime members can receive a free welcome box when creating an Amazon baby registry, adding 10 unique items from the checklist, and having $10 or more in registry purchases (you can purchase $10 worth yourself to qualify). Reviewers say boxes often include a muslin swaddle, bottle, pacifier, breast pads, diapers, wipes, detergent samples, a onesie, baby shampoo, diaper cream and more. Amazon also offers a 15% registry completion discount beginning 60 days before the due date.
17. Target: Set up a Target baby registry and pick up a welcome kit at Guest Services containing over $100 in coupons and free samples. Target also offers a 15% discount on remaining registry items starting eight weeks before your due date.
18. Walmart: Create a Walmart baby registry and receive a Baby Welcome Box mailed to you at no cost. It typically includes brand-name samples from Huggies, Enfamil and Mam, though contents vary. Note Walmart may limit yearly boxes and they can sell out late in the year.
19. Babylist: Start an online baby registry with Babylist and make a minimum $30 purchase to get a free Hello Baby Box shipped to your door. The box includes items like bibs, diapers, wipes, hats, pacifiers and bottles; shipping is $8.95 plus any applicable taxes.
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Coupons for Baby Items
Every cent matters when budgeting for a child. Subscribe to your favorite brands to get exclusive offers and coupons that can reduce costs or even score free items. Just be careful not to splurge on things you don’t need.
20. Mommy’s Bliss: Sign up for deals on probiotics for moms and kids, plus tummy remedies like gripe water for colic relief.
21. Gerber Baby: Register for MyGerber to access coupons, personalized advice, a menu planner and tailored content.
22. IKEA Family: Join IKEA Family to receive special member discounts, coupons and occasional freebies.
23. Goodnites: Use Goodnites manufacturer coupons to save on bedwetting products, or sign up for email offers to get more coupons.
24. Baby Cubby: Find Baby Cubby coupon codes via RetailMeNot to lower the cost of baby clothing, gear and toys.
25. Pottery Barn Kids: Shop kids’ furniture and décor and check out Pottery Barn Kids’ coupons and offers for savings on nursery items.
26. The Children’s Place: Subscribe to email or text alerts to get 25% off immediately, plus exclusive deals on kids’ apparel and footwear.
27. Carter’s or OshKosh: Join the Rewarding Moments loyalty program to earn points on purchases at Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh, Skip Hop and Little Planet. Earn one point per $1 spent and redeem 150 points for $10 off.
28. Nestle Canada: If you live in Canada, sign up for Nestle Baby & Me to get a Ready-for-Baby Pack around 35 weeks that contains samples, coupons and special offers.
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Baby Subscription Boxes
If you prefer organic or sustainable products, subscription services can save you money and minimize shopping trips.
29. The Honest Company: You can purchase Honest Co. items individually, but you’ll save 20% by subscribing for monthly deliveries. Subscriptions typically supply a month’s worth of diapers and wipes, and add-ons are 10% off. You also get a free gift with every third shipment.
30. Hello Bello: Founded by actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, Hello Bello offers a subscription option with charming diaper designs. You can add other products at 15% off and occasionally receive surprise freebies in your subscription box.
31. Dyper: Subscribe for a monthly supply of eco-friendly diapers or training pants at a discount. You’ll also score a free diaper bag when you sign up.
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Local Free and Low-Cost Baby Resources
Your local community is a great place to borrow, buy or receive free baby items and hand-me-downs — saving money and reducing waste.
32. Local Facebook Groups: Monitor neighborhood or city Facebook groups for parents giving away baby items. You can also join a Buy Nothing Project group to get free gear from neighbors. Remember to pay it forward when your child outgrows items.
33. Facebook Marketplace: While on Facebook, check the Marketplace section for parents listing baby items for free or trade.
34. NextDoor App:Nextdoor is a local forum where neighbors post everything from alerts to freebies. Browse the “Baby & Kids” category for free baby gear in your area.
35. Your Pediatrician: Pediatricians often receive product samples from manufacturers. If you need a sample or want to try something, it’s worth asking at your next appointment.
36. Garage Sales: Garage sales are full of discounted baby clothes and toys. Stop by near the end of the sale to see if sellers are willing to give away remaining baby items or negotiate a steep discount.
37. Freecycle: Dedicated to keeping usable items out of landfills, Freecycle consists of thousands of local groups offering free items. Search for a group in your area to find baby gear listings.
38. Craigslist: Check Craigslist’s free section for baby items being given away nearby. Exercise caution when meeting strangers — choose public spots for pickups.
Alexandra Morris has covered topics including personal finance, lifestyle, food, pet care and parenting. She leads a small editorial team at a regional marketing firm and contributes to several online outlets and her own blog in her spare time.
