A Practical, No-Nonsense Guide for Parents Navigating Higher Prices on Essentials:

Let’s be honest—becoming a parent comes with enough sticker shock on its own. Hospital bills, childcare costs, the eighth kind of swaddle everyone swears by… it adds up. But now, with the new round of tariffs on imported goods—particularly from China—parents are waking up to a fresh kind of inflation. And unfortunately, a lot of core baby gear (think bottles, pacifiers, cribs, strollers, toys, and even diapers) comes straight from heavily impacted regions. That means prices are rising fast, and they may not come down anytime soon.

At Beau Industries, we build products meant to last well beyond the diaper years. But we also think it’s important to share tools and perspectives that help parents make smart, sustainable, and confidence-driven choices across the board. So whether you’re building a registry, shopping for your own baby, or just trying to stay sane in a rapidly shifting retail landscape, we’ve pulled together our best thinking for how to beat the tariffs—and build your baby’s world without blowing your budget.

1). Understand Where the Increases Are Coming From

First, some context. The current tariffs, implemented as part of ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, are hitting a wide range of consumer products. This includes many baby essentials: high chairs, carriers, pacifiers, clothing, toys, and nursery furniture—most of which are manufactured in China or rely on Chinese-made components. This is true of products made in other countries, and in the US using foreign made parts or tools. Long story short, having a baby just got (even more) expensive.

You aren’t alone though. Retailers usually try to absorb price increases temporarily. But over time, these added costs trickle down. That means you might notice that last year’s $199 car seat now runs $239, or the crib you’ve had your eye on jumped by $80. Brands and retailers have to pass along costs or go out of business. There simply isn’t 30% or more of available margin to be absorbed in most product categories.

That said, here are our ideas on how to spend less and get more in this economic climate.

2. Prioritize the Gear That Actually Needs to Be New

We’re big believers in investing in the pieces you’ll use every day—and that need to hold up under pressure. But not everything has to come off the shelf brand new. Here’s how to break it down:

Buy New (High-Use, Safety-First Gear):

Car seats (expiration dates and crash histories matter)
Cribs and mattresses (new safety standards = peace of mind)
Baby carriers and structured packs (especially if you’re active)
Strollers with warranty coverage
Feeding items (bottles, breast pumps, etc.)

Buy Gently Used or Borrow:

Bouncers and swings (most babies age out of these quickly)
Clothing in the 0–6 month range
Toys, books, and activity gyms
Changing tables or pads

Pro tip: Ask friends and family with older kids if they’ve got gear to pass along. Most are happy to see their stuff get a second life.

3. Make Friends with Your Local Buy/Sell/Trade Scene

Facebook Marketplace, neighborhood swaps, and consignment shops are gold mines right now. Parents are constantly cycling through lightly used gear, and these platforms let you sidestep inflated retail prices entirely. If you’re in an urban area like NYC, you’ll find specialty baby gear consignment stores that vet items for quality and safety.

Some things to look out for:

Be sure items haven’t been recalled (check cpsc.gov)
Verify expiration dates on car seats
Test stroller frames, zippers, and brakes before buying

Also—don’t be afraid to negotiate. Most people just want the space back.

4. Shop from American-Owned or Direct-to-Consumer Brands

One of the reasons we created Beau Industries was to reduce our dependency on mass-manufacturing systems that weren’t serving families well. Our packs are made with purpose, with recycled materials, and built to last.

That same ethos applies to many small and mid-sized U.S.-based brands that design and manufacture either locally or within non-tariffed regions. When you buy from them, you’re often skipping big-box markups and avoiding the cost bloat from international supply chains.

Here’s how to find them:

Look for “Made in USA” or “Assembled in North America” indicators
Check the brand’s “About” page for sourcing transparency
Search for sustainable or independent baby gear lists

Not only are you avoiding the tariff tax—you’re investing in businesses that are often more ethical, more environmentally conscious, and more parent-aware.

5. Wait for the Big Drops—and Stack Savings Strategically

Tariffs or not, retailers will still be running promotions. The trick is timing. The biggest deals typically drop during:

End-of-season sales (February, August, and post-holiday)
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday)
Amazon Prime Day (mid-July) – but double-check third-party seller sources

Set alerts, use wishlist tools, and keep an eye on deal aggregators like BabyGearLab or Lucie’s List. Many major retailers also allow price adjustments within 14 days of purchase—use that to your advantage.

And don’t underestimate the power of bundles. Several brands offer package deals where you can save 15–25% by purchasing multiple items together (e.g., a car seat + stroller combo).

6. Rethink the Registry

Your baby registry isn’t just a wish list—it’s an opportunity to be intentional, strategic, and community-supported.

We recommend:

Choosing a platform that allows group gifting (helps cover high-ticket items)
Including non-obvious things like diaper subscriptions or meal services
Adding gift cards to retailers you trust—especially for later purchases

Want to cut through the noise? Build your registry with fewer, better things. Ask for gear that grows with your child. And for those planning ahead, aim for quality and utility over trends and fluff.

7. Buy gear that Lasts, Not Just to Get By

The core principle we design around at Beau is this: gear should evolve with you. That means investing in products that do more than just one job, for just one stage. It’s why our packs function as diaper bags and travel bags and laptop carriers. They’re not something you’ll toss after teething ends—they’re built to go the distance.

If you take that mindset into the rest of your shopping, you’ll end up spending smarter. Look for high-quality, modular gear that adjusts over time. Think:

Convertible cribs
High chairs that turn into toddler chairs
Quality toys that last (like matchbox cars and wood blocks)
Unisex layette and accessories you can use with your next kids
Clothing brands with extendable fits
Packs that go from playground to commuter train to trail

Tariffs can inflate the cost of short-term purchases. But when you shop with longevity in mind, you’re beating the system.

Final Word

There’s no getting around it—shopping for a baby in 2025 comes with new challenges. But with a mix of strategy, resourcefulness, and a clear-eyed approach to what really matters, you can avoid the stress spiral and still give your child everything they need to thrive.

Our advice? Buy less. Choose better. And support the brands and businesses that are thinking beyond this season’s margins. At Beau, we’ll keep making gear that’s built for the journey—not just the nursery. Because parenting’s not a phase. It’s a wild, beautiful expedition. And you deserve tools that can carry the weight and stand up to the rigors of adventurous parenting!

How to Save Money on Baby Supplies in 2025: Smart Shopping Tips for the New Tariff Era