Fair warning: In some cases, you'll need to pay for the cost of shipping, create a gift registry or sign up for a rewards program or newsletter (but you can always unsubscribe if your inbox gets too overwhelmed). We looked for great deals from retailers and baby product brands, of course. (And if you want more suggestions for the baby gear for you, based on your unique preferences, check out What to Expect's Registry Builder, which will also recommend great baby registries tailored to your needs.) How we chose the best free baby samples That way, you can try a few options (without needing to buy each one in bulk right off the bat) and build your ultimate list of baby product must-haves. But luckily, many retailers and baby brands offer free samples of bottles, blankets, formula, clothing and so much more. There's no doubt about it - prepping for baby's arrival can be expensive.