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It seems like every day brings a new sale — and as someone who covers these shopping events for a living, I can tell you that not all of them are worth your money. However, there are a few that can actually save you money on everyday essentials, big-ticket necessities and treat-yourself splurges. Case in point: Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday, which have become synonymous with jaw-dropping discounts. (Oh, and did I mention that Target Circle Week is approaching?)

While having two chances to score big savings is great for parents, the timing of these sales can make it tricky to take full advantage of the deals. Prime Big Deal Days will be held on October 8 and 9, while Black Friday kicks off November 29 (though the deals will likely start rolling in well before then). With over a month between them, it can be tough to decide what to add to your cart during October’s Prime Day and what to wait for in November.

I may not have a crystal ball to predict the exact sales during either event, but I’ve been covering Prime Big Deal Days, Black Friday and plenty of other shopping events for almost a decade. Based on this expertise, and my personal shopping experience as a toddler mom, here are the pregnancy and baby deals you can expect during Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday, so you can make smarter shopping decisions for both events.

Prime Big Deal Days

When is Prime Big Deal Days 2024?

Also known as October Prime Day, this year’s Prime Big Deal Days will be held Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9. 

What to Buy During Prime Big Deal Days 2024

Amazon is notorious for keeping its deals under wraps until the sale begins. (That said, there are some great early October Prime Day deals you can shop now.) After years of covering sales, I’ve noticed that the deals tend to repeat themselves year after year. Based on that, here’s what you should prioritize during Prime Big Deal Days this year:

  • Clothes: Whether you’re building a maternity wardrobe or transitioning your baby to winter wear, Amazon typically offers great clothing deals during October Prime Day. In past years, parents have saved up to 50% on maternity leggings, sweaters and dresses and baby clothes from brands like Honest Baby, Carter’s and Burt’s Bees Baby have been discounted by up to 40%.
  • Diapers and wipes: My top tip for October Prime Day is to stock up on diapers, wipes and cream. You can expect to save up to 30% on diapering essentials from Pampers, Huggies, Honest Company and other popular brands. To take full advantage of the diaper deals, I suggest buying at least one box of the size your baby is in now, plus one box of the next two sizes.
  • Nursing and feeding supplies: From breastmilk storage bags to pumps, you’ll likely see sales on everything you need to breastfeed, bottle-feed or combo-feed your baby. Look out for 20% off brands like Medela and Lansinoh, as well as rare discounts on brands like Willow and Elvie.
  • Toys: Last year, I used October Prime Day to buy my daughter’s Christmas and birthday gifts, and I’m hoping to do the same in 2024. Some of the best toy deals came from Melissa & Doug (up to 40% off), LEGO (30% off) and Magna-Tiles (20% off). You might also spot deeply discounted play kitchens and tool benches, which are always worth the investment.
  • Holiday decor and more: If you’ve procrastinated on Halloween shopping or are trying to get ahead of the winter holidays, October Prime Day is the perfect sale to help you prepare. You’ll find festive clothing and decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving and more. My favorite past deal? 20% off Burt’s Bees matching family pajamas, which are buttery soft and come in a variety of festive fall and winter patterns.

How to Get the Best Deals During Prime Big Deals Days 2024

In order to maximize your savings during Prime Big Deal Days, I highly recommend you:

Black Friday

When is Black Friday 2024?

Although Black Friday technically starts on November 29 (with Cyber Monday happening December 2), you can expect the Black Friday deals to start rolling out at the beginning of November. Keep in mind, they’ll probably get better closer to Black Friday weekend.  

What to Buy During Black Friday 2024

It’s far too early to know exactly what will be on sale during Black Friday, but certain products are best to buy during that holiday weekend.

  • Video monitors: If you’re looking to invest in a smart baby monitor, especially from brands like Nanit or Owlet, it might be worth waiting until November. In the past, these brands have offered up to 30% off, which is a big deal considering their usual price tag.
  • Car seats: While you’ll likely see car seat sales during Prime Big Deal Days, the discounts will probably be much deeper come November—up to 50% off in some cases. This includes car seats from premium brands like Nuna and Evenflo.
  • Strollers: Similarly, stroller deals are better during Black Friday. Not only are the discounts typically bigger, but you’re also more likely to find rarely-on-sale brands like UPPAbaby and their travel systems, without being limited to certain colors.
  • Nursery furniture: A crib is an essential purchase for babies (and a glider or changing table can be a nice bonus). In the past, retailers like Wayfair and even Pottery Barn Kids have slashed crib prices by up to 30% on Black Friday.
  • Beauty essentials: With so many retailers and brands participating in Black Friday, you're sure to find deals on your favorite skincare, makeup and hair products. Tip: Don’t overlook the sampler boxes, especially if you’re thinking about switching up your pregnancy beauty routine.
  • Tech gear: Whether you need new headphones to drown out Blippi or a tablet to keep your child entertained on an upcoming trip, you could save up to 30% on tech gear from various retailers.

Should I Shop Prime Big Deal Days or Black Friday 2024?

You’re sure to find great deals during both Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday, but to save the most, you need to be smart about your shopping choices. Based on my experience covering both sales, here’s when to shop:

Shop Prime Big Deal Days if you are:

  • Stocking up on essentials: You’ll find deals not only on diapering and feeding gear but also on cleaning supplies. And when you have kids, you can never have too many paper towels, sprays or detergents.
  • Preparing for the holidays: Amazon has consistently offered great deals on Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving decor and just about everything you need for the winter holidays. This includes discounts on toys and matching family pajamas.

Shop Black Friday if you are:

  • Expecting a baby: The best deals on big-ticket baby items—think travel systems, nursery furniture and video monitors—tend to come during Black Friday. So, unless you’re due next month, you’re better off waiting to save on those pricier essentials.
  • Looking for more options: Since Black Friday includes all retailers, you’re not limited to what’s available on Amazon. This gives you a better chance of saving on the exact item you want, and you can even do some price comparisons to find the best deal.