Our economy from 2022 took a hit. I’m not an economist, but due to the dollar–naira exchange rate, prices of things skyrocketed. Everything was affected, nothing was spared. Every day you go to the market, there’s ₦500 increase, not even ₦50 oh! What even became of ₦50? It became the new ₦5.
It became scary to do anything with money, especially having kids. Skits started going round about how condom is cheaper than pampers, lol. Did it now mean we won’t have children? As Nigerians, we adapted to the economy oh, birthing our kids with grace and cost-effective strategies.
The first strategy: Midwife Delivery
If there are no complications with pregnancy, hire a midwife to deliver your baby. Somebody even asked me why I delivered at the hospital. So she gisted me why — “Why pay for bed space when I have bed?”
She told me how she and her husband got everything they needed for delivery, saved on transportation and stress of moving to the hospital — especially when her labour started late at night. All she had to do was contact a well-known midwife, negotiate payment, pay the first installment before delivery, and the rest after. Once her labour started, she called her midwife.
I don’t know about this oh — what if network fails or phone dies? Better to find one that’s close by too so a family member can go knock on their door. That checks out.
Pros of midwife delivery: cheaper and comfortable.
Major con: what if an unforeseen complication shows up?
Family Planning
We dey plan family now oh. Even men that used to be hard to convince are the ones dragging you there now. You won’t give birth to one, then 6 months later, another one again — shey school fees never look you finish?
Plan your family, close shop, and still enjoy sex freely abeg.
Economical Spending Tips
- Hand-me-downs: If you see quality hand-me-downs because you can’t afford new ones, collect oh! Some grade 1 second-hand clothes look so good, you wouldn’t know unless someone tells you.
- Shoes? Not yet: If your child hasn’t started to stand or walk, why are you buying shoe? I wanted to buy one, the price made me reason 3 things:
(a) Why buy for my 3-month-old when his socks don’t size him anymore? Somebody that is still growing
(b) This shoe can fall off and I won’t notice.
(c) I can just buy 2 fancy socks. After all, his leg no dey touch floor yet. - Wrappers = multipurpose: They can be repurposed as shawls. But at least one thick shawl is recommended in the newborn stage, especially during the rainy season.
On Diapers (Pampers)
Oyinbo said 8 diapers a day. Oyinbo no dey Nigeria oh! Eight diapers for what?
I heard ways people are using diapers — if not for rashes, people would have gone back to using napkins. Some cut a piece of Ankara and place it at the back edge of the diaper where the baby’s anus is. So when the baby poops (especially small ones), it goes on the Ankara. You remove and wash the Ankara, and the diaper is still usable if it’s not full.
If that’s not innovation, what is again?
On Mothercare Bath Sets
What is mothercare bath of ₦50k plus? That’s the same amount we pay midwives for delivery.
Because of the economy, people now use round bowls — the same ones for fetching water. You can put the dirty cloth you just removed from your child in it to prevent sliding while bathing. And this bath can be reused as the baby grows. You can store baby clothes in it later or use a Ghana Must Go bag or any bag around.
Baby care items? Just arrange them on a table in your room. Who says you must buy full bath set?
Breastfeeding (The MVP of Savings)
If I don’t mention breastfeeding, I’ve failed this post. It’s the most natural, economical, loving, nutrition-packed food for your kid.
Those of us who used formula, we know how much we spent. If you’re doing exclusive, you’re not spending an extra ₦200k+ on combo feeding or ₦300k+ if it’s only formula.
When it’s time to introduce solids, then spending becomes necessary. At that point, it’s your choice what to feed them. Just avoid raw eggs, honey, excessive oil, and cow milk.
If you need milk, get formula from 6 months up. You can start with pap (ogi/akamu), custard, or prep your soups with less salt, pepper, and seasoning so they can eat swallow with you.
If you’re not sure what to feed them, check out this link. If it’s how to feed them, check out this link too.
Being a parent in today’s Nigeria isn’t easy — but we’re doing it with wisdom, innovation, and grace. From midwife births to baby socks over shoes, from repurposed wrappers to feeding hacks, we’re making it work.
Children are expensive, yes, but being broke doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared, smart, or deeply loving. Na we dey here. We go still raise these children well.
