How much do most parents spend on their newborn in its first year? At least $18,000, according to Sue M. Hannah, author of Free Stuff for Baby! The New Parent's Ultimate Guide to Hundreds of Dollars of Baby Freebies and Parenting Resources ($12.95, at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores). Hannah wrote the book after learning she was pregnant with twins. She remembered receiving lots of free baby-product samples when she was expecting her first child, Kayla, and, after some digging, discovered enough resources to fill a book. Some of her finds: disposable diapers from Stork's Choice, a diaper-delivery service; a potty-training kit (shown); even tickets to baby's first circus from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Hannah says all it takes to collect these freebies is to write a letter, make a toll-free call or log on to the Internet.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Consumer Reports Best Baby Products ($16.95, Consumer-Reports.org). This shopping guide gives parents the lowdown on quality goods for babies and preschoolers.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Essence Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group