How to Score the Best Free Baby Samples

After a few ill-timed blowouts during my first week as a mom, I remember getting hyperfixated on finding the best diaper for baby. Since I didn’t want to shell out for an entire pack that didn’t work, I dug into the selection of samples I’d received from my baby registry welcome box as well as from the hospital. I also asked every mom friend I knew if they had any spare newborn diapers I could try. With several free options to test, I ended up finding the least leaky diaper—and I never looked back.

All of which is to say, free baby samples can be really valuable when you’re trying to figure out what works best for your little one (and in some cases, for newly postpartum you). And there are lots of ways to score them. Here are the best places to look, plus other tips for saving money on newborn and baby essentials.

Key Takeaways

• Baby registry welcome boxes are one of the best ways to get free sample items for newborn babies. Major retailers like Target and Amazon offer welcome boxes packed with diapers, wipes, formula and more.
• Manufacturer rewards programs are a goldmine. Brands like Pampers, Huggies, Enfamil and Similac will mail free samples and coupons just for signing up on their websites, letting you test products before committing to full-size purchases.
• Don’t overlook your hospital and pediatrician’s office. You can take home diapers, wipes, postpartum care items and more before leaving the hospital. Some pediatricians’ offices may have samples of items such as probiotics, vitamin D, shampoos and skincare.
• Insurance, FSA/HSA funds and government programs can offset significant costs. Health insurance is required to cover breast pumps, FSA/HSA accounts can be used on a wide range of baby supplies, and programs like WIC provide monthly support for formula and breastfeeding needs for eligible families.
• Buying secondhand and using Buy Nothing groups can stretch your budget further. Clothing, toys, strollers and gear are great secondhand finds—just avoid used car seats, cribs, crib mattresses and breast pumps, which can pose safety risks.

Free Baby Registry Boxes

Several major retailers will send you a welcome box of free baby samples when you create a baby registry with them. They’re filled with all kinds of name-brand goodies—think baby shampoo, lotion, pacifiers, feeding accessories, diapers, wipes, formula and pregnancy vitamins and supplements. They often also offer coupons that allow you to test-drive different options while saving money.

“I found baby items that worked better for us without having to buy a bunch of different brands,” says Samantha Ramos, a mom of three and who blogs about saving money at SammyApproves.com.

Keep in mind that most registries have requirements you have to meet before you can get their welcome box, like having a certain number of items on your registry or paying a shipping fee. Details vary from one registry to the next, so check the fine print.

The Bump

You can get a welcome box when you open a registry with The Bump with 10 or more items, and make a purchase or be gifted something with a $10 or more value from the registry. There’s also a $9.99 shipping fee. But get on this one quickly—it’s only available while supplies last.

Target

Get a welcome kit valued at $100 in baby samples (like diapers, pacifiers, diaper rash cream, wipes and breast milk storage bags), plus coupons when you sign up for a Target baby registry.

After creating your registry, adding 10 or more items, and purchasing or being gifted over $10 from your registry, you’ll get the welcome box bonus added to your Target Circle app registry dashboard (check in the My Deals section). From there, you can sign up to get a sample box sent to you and gain access to coupons.

“I loved the Target welcome kit—it’s such a great value,” shares Natalie Gontcharova, senior editor at The Bump and mom of one. “I remember getting diaper and baby wipe samples from brands like Honest, baby bottles and travel-sized skincare products. It was a great opportunity to try out different brands and products!”

FYI: These kits are super popular and they go out of stock quickly. If the kit is unavailable, you can request a notification for when they’re back in stock.

Amazon

If you’re a Prime member, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of Amazon’s welcome box offer, which you’re eligible for adding at least 10 items to your registry and purchasing (or being gifted) at least $10 worth of registry items. Once you’re eligible, you’ll see a “Claim Now” button on the Benefits and Welcome Box pages of your registry.

While box items vary (Amazon says they’re a “surprise”), moms like Abby O’Neil, a social media creator in Maine, report receiving high-value items like muslin swaddles, bottles and onesies, along with coupons and sample packs of wipes, baby lotion and laundry sanitizer. Bryce Gruber, a shopping editor who shares money-saving tips on TikTok, reports that the haul is typically worth at least $35.

The general consensus? It’s a great deal. “For me, the swaddle and onesie alone are worth the $10 I spent out of my own pocket on an item I knew I’d need anyway,” writes Katie, a mom and blogger at In Life and Littles.

Other Brands

Some other big-name registry boxes with great free baby sample selections:

• Walmart: You’ll need 20 or more items on your registry with $25 worth or purchases or more. But shipping is free.
• Macy’s: After $50 or more worth of purchases have been made from your registry, you’ll qualify for one of Macy’s welcome boxes containing five to six sample products. There’s a $6.50 shipping fee.
• Kohl’s: You’re eligible for this one as soon as you make your registry—no purchase required. Pay $8.95 for shipping or get free shipping when you request your box as part of another purchase worth $49 or more.
• Hey Milestone: There’s no registry required to get one of these curated sample boxes—just pay $12.95 shipping and handling to get freebies from brands like Lansinoh, Aquaphor and Purell.

How to Get Free Formula Samples

Free baby samples can help you save big if you’re formula-feeding and looking to try a new brand. (Those full-size canisters aren’t cheap!) Here are some ways to find free formula samples.

• Your pediatrician’s office. In addition to welcome boxes, a great resource is your pediatrician’s office. “Many carry a variety of formula samples specifically so parents can trial them before buying,” explains Dr. Heather Gosnell, MD, a pediatrician in Phoenix.
• Brand rewards programs. Many of the big baby formula makers—including Enfamil, Similac, Nestle and Gerber—offer free samples, rebates and coupons as part of their rewards programs. In most cases, all you have to do to start getting your goodies is sign up on the manufacturer’s website. “Companies often release samples to subscribers first, especially around launches or seasonal campaigns. Signing up directly with baby, food and household brands gives you early access without needing to search constantly,” suggests Cory Arsic, a dad and founder of the deal website Canadian Parent.
• Follow brands on social media. If there’s a specific brand you want to try that doesn’t have a dedicated rewards program, see if following them on social media can help you score some freebies.
• Check your local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook. “I’m probably the only dad lurking in three different local Facebook mom groups, but that’s where people post when they have unopened samples they don’t need anymore,” says Matthew Tran, a dad of one in Los Angeles.

One thing to note: While it’s great to use samples for testing out new formulas, check with baby’s doctor before making any switches. “It’s always best to have a quick discussion with your pediatrician first to make sure it’s the right move for your little one’s digestion,” Dr. Gosnell says.

How to Get Free Diaper and Wipe Samples

Free diapers and wipes are yours for the taking if you know where to look—here are your best bets.

• Manufacturer reward programs. Again, signing up for these programs is one of the best ways to nab free samples for your newborn plus earn coupons or discounts on future purchases (which you’ll be making a lot of). “Brands like Pampers will mail you sample kits just for signing up for their mailing list,” says Tran, who notes that between Pampers and Similac, “we tested probably a dozen products before buying a single full-size item.” You’ll also find diapers rewards programs from Huggies, Luvs and Hello Bello.

• Buy Nothing is another solid place to try. Unlike with formula, it’s totally fine to nab a half-open pack of diapers from a neighbor. We still had a few packs of our beloved Pampers hanging around when we decided to go all in with potty training our 2-and-half-year-old, and I was more than happy to offload them to a family who could use them.

More Money-Saving Tips

There are other ways to save on baby essentials beyond nabbing free baby samples. Here are some options to think about.

Gather supplies from the hospital

The fact that I could load up on items like disposable underwear, heavy duty pads, peri bottles and witch hazel pads (for me) plus diapers, wipes and swaddle blankets (for baby) before heading home from the hospital came as a major surprise to me (shoutout to the second- and third-time moms in my prenatal yoga class who gave me this tip!). But it was one that I was more than happy to take advantage of as we got ready to head home two days after giving birth.

There’s no need to feel stealth about doing this—it’s totally expected. “When I left the hospital, the nurses told me I could take ‘anything we could carry that’s not bolted down,’ since they can’t reuse any of it anyway,” reports Reddit user Mooflin.

Sign up for product-testing programs

They can be a great way to score free gear if you’re up for sharing your feedback. Brands like Dr. Brown’s, for instance, have a review program for their own products.

If you want to go further, you can sign up for a product-testing platform like Kolcraft, which invites parents to test-drive in-development products from manufacturers of strollers, crib mattresses and more.

Utilize insurance

I was delighted to learn that one thing I wouldn’t have to spend money on was a breast pump, since health insurance plans are required to cover them.

Just check the details with your insurer before making your purchase: There may be guidelines on which pumps are fully covered versus ones that are considered an “upgrade,” (where you’ll have to pay the difference). There will also be guidelines on where you need to buy the pump from. Usually it’s through a medical supply website; most plans won’t reimburse you for a pump you buy at a regular retail store.

Use an FSA if you have one

Got a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA)? You can use it to purchase a wide range of breastfeeding supplies, including milk storage bags, nipple creams and some breast pumps, plus baby supplies—everything from teethers to diaper cream. “It’s the best thing you can sign up for if you know you’re going to have a baby in the next year,” says Alexis Novoa, a mom of three and TikTok creator.

You may also be eligible for reimbursement for pumps that aren’t available through the FSA Store website. FYI: Reimbursements aren’t available for limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA).

Use government assistance programs if you’re eligible

Supplemental nutrition programs like WIC can help you afford healthy food—including formula and donor breast milk. The program, which is available to women who are pregnant, postpartum or have children under 5, provides monthly checks or vouchers to buy formula or breast pumps at participating stores in your area.

If you’re interested in signing up for WIC, your local food bank can help you get started.

Buy secondhand or get from friends

Baby gear is essential when you need it—and totally useless once baby outgrows it. Which means there’s always tons of inexpensive secondhand stuff at thrift stores, consignment shops, online resale sites like GoodBuy Gear and Rebel or from families with older kids. Neighborhood or parent chats on WhatsApp can also be a treasure trove of free or discounted stuff, says Hana Tova, a mom of two in New York City.

Some great items to score secondhand: Clothing, toys and books, obviously. (I don’t think I’ve bought a new baby toy…ever?) Bigger-ticket items like baby carriers, slings, rocking chairs or gliders, changing tables, pack and plays, strollers and high chairs are also fair game, experts say. Just make sure those products aren’t expired (if they come with an expiration date), meet current safety standards and haven’t been subject to any recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. And obviously, give them a thorough cleaning before using them.

Avoid used cribs or crib mattress pads and car seats. Older cribs may not meet the latest safety guidelines, while mattress pads and car seats can degrade over time and pose safety hazards.

Steer clear of used breast pumps too. They could harbor mold or infection-causing bacteria, warns the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Buy Nothing groups

As a mom who’s officially past the baby phase, I can personally attest to the fact that clearing out old baby gear that you no longer need feels really good (if also a little wistful). Many people are willing (and hoping!) to give it away to total strangers for free. And one of the best places to find said gear is on your local Facebook Buy Nothing group. “We’ve received so many free things from ours,” says Sara Clarke, a mom of two in Washington, DC.

And don’t give up if you’re not the first to claim, btw. You can always ask to be a backup in case the first person ends up falling through. (That’s how I got my son’s avocado costume for his first Halloween!)

Even if you’re excited to nab that almost-new UPPAbaby stroller, make sure to play it safe and use common sense. “Always take someone with you and ask to see the item before giving them money,” Ramos recommends.

More tips

A few more money-saving ideas worth trying:

• Ask your pediatrician for other freebies. In addition to formula, many also have samples of infant vitamins and skincare products, Dr. Gosnell says.
• Use end-of-registry completion discounts. After your baby shower date or due date, many retailers, such as Amazon and Target, will give you a discount—around 15 percent— to nab the remaining items on your registry that weren’t purchased.
• Send shower invites to brands you love. Some moms send a baby shower invitation to their favorite brands in hopes that the brand will send back coupons or free products. (You just look up the brand’s contact info on their website and email or snail mail the invite.) It’s not everyone’s thing, but if you feel comfortable, it could be a way to score some cool swag.
• Consider rentals. High-end brands like Snoo let you rent their pricey bassinet by the month or for 6 months at a cost that’s way lower than actually buying it for keeps.

To Sum It Up

Having a baby can be expensive—but if you’re strategic about it, you can get lots of items for free. From registry welcome boxes and manufacturer rewards programs to hospital freebies and going secondhand, there are more ways than ever to try out essential products without paying full price.

How We Developed This Article

Does having a baby really have to break the bank? Not according to our experts. We spoke with a pediatrician and several real parents (including shopping and deals bloggers), and scoured retailer websites. After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our pediatrician medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Marygrace Taylor is a mom of one who lives in Philadelphia and writes about health, wellness and parenting. She couldn’t pass up a baby freebie—especially on diapers.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.