Amazon's annual Prime Day is fast approaching with the event set to kick off on October 7, 2025. If you're expecting a new addition to your family, deciding whether to stock up now or wait for the discounts of Black Friday can be a tough call. As a seasoned shopping editor and a mother of two, I've developed some useful strategies for timing your purchases to coincide with the best sales.
Many questions arise when considering the best time to shop- should you wait until Black Friday for the best deals, or are Prime Day discounts better? Both Prime Day in October and Black Friday offer savings on everyday essentials, big ticket items, and everything in between. The answer really depends on what you're in the market to buy and where you prefer to shop.
Prime Day, occurring after summer, often sees deep discounts on warm-weather items. Sunscreen, outdoor toys, swimsuits, and other summer gear can be found at a fraction of the price. The changing seasons also prompt clothing retailers to mark down summer stock as they transition to fall collections. With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other holidays coming, festive goods join the ranks of discounted items, along with everyday essentials like diapers, wipes, and baby bottles, often marked down by up to 50%.
If you're preparing for the holiday season, or just need to replenish house basics, Prime Day deals could save you a good amount of cash. But, if you're eyeing more expensive purchases, it might be worth waiting for Black Friday. Cyber Weekend often sees the biggest reductions in big-ticket baby items like convertible car seats, strollers, and nursery furniture. Items such as beauty products and tech gadgets also frequently see larger markdowns during this period.
One of the major advantages of Black Friday is its range. Unlike Prime Day, it’s not exclusive to Amazon, enabling shoppers to compare prices across retailers and secure the best deal. Essentially, Prime Day is best for your everyday needs, while Black Friday might be the time to splurge on premium items.
Prime Day tends to have better deals for everyday essentials like diapers, toys, and clothing. Conversely, Black Friday usually has the best deals on larger, pricier items like premium baby brands and nursery furniture. Here are some deals you might want to keep an eye out for ahead of Amazon's two-day sale:
Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Cream is marked at 66% off, saving $18. A Pharmedoc Pregnancy Body Pillow at 50% off will save you $17. The Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads are down from $32 to $16-47% off. Save $15 with a 43% discount on the Comfy Cubs Pack of 10 Muslin Burp Cloths. The Frida Baby Grooming Kit is now $15, originally $25. And a pair of Crocs Kids' Classic Tie Dye Clogs for $27, reduced from $45.
On the other hand, Black Friday usually offers sizable discounts on premium car seats. Brands like Nuna and Joie can sometimes be found marked down by as much as 50%. Nursery furniture from retailers like Wayfair, West Elm, Crate & Kids, and more could be up to 60% off. Strollers from top brands such as UPPAbaby and Mockingbird may also be available at better prices during Black Friday sales.
In essence, if your shopping list is heavy on essential items like diapers, wipes, clothing, and seasonal décor, Prime Day could offer worthwhile deals. However, for more expensive, bigger purchases like premium baby gear, nursery furniture and such, Black Friday might offer the best opportunity for savings. Identifying what your essential purchases are and timing them with these sales can result in substantial savings.