Going anywhere with kids can be difficult, which is why services such as Amazon are popular with parents. There’s nothing better than ordering something you need and having it delivered to your door while still in your pajamas.
While I used Amazon sporadically over the years, it wasn’t until I had my first child seven years ago that I signed up for Amazon Prime. One draw was the savings offered by the Amazon Family program (formerly Amazon Mom).
Since there’s some conflicting information about Amazon Family out there, let’s go over what the program is and how it can help you save money. The information below should help you answer the question, “Is Amazon Family worth it for me?”.
What is Amazon Family and how does it relate to Prime?
There may be some confusion about Amazon Family since it was previously called Amazon Mom. This was the name of the program when I signed up for it with my first child in 2013.
Amazon changed the name in 2015 to better align with the audience it was serving.
While Amazon Family is free, you will need to be an Amazon Prime member to access it. You can also get it when you sign up for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, which is how I got started.
If you’re a new parent, discounts on diapers, formula, baby food and other baby essentials can be a significant benefit. It was one of the selling points for me since it meant fewer trips to the store with a small baby.
This program can also benefit anyone who may be caring for small children regularly. This can include grandparents, nannies, guardians and so on.
How much Does Amazon Family cost?
Amazon Family is a free benefit for Amazon Prime members. This means you will need to have a Prime membership to enjoy the benefits of the program.
You can get a free 30-day trial membership and after it expires, the cost is $119 per year or $12.99 per month.
Once you sign up for Prime, you will be able to enroll in Amazon Family and get access to all the discounts, offers and coupons the program offers.
What are the benefits?
Amazon Family comes with several perks that can help you save money on taking care for a child. It offers discounts of up to 20 percent on diapers, baby food and other baby essentials. You will also get exclusive family-oriented discounts, offers, coupons and age-based recommendations.
Parents having a new baby can do a baby registry through Amazon Family and enjoy a 15 percent registry completion discount. You will also get a registry welcome box filled with goodies and discounts.
As a Prime member, you will also have access to member benefits:
- Free two-day shipping with no purchase minimum
- Prime Instant Video content
- Prime Music
- Unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos
- Access to Prime Pantry
- Kindle First books
- Prime Reading
Who is Amazon Family good for?
While Amazon Family can benefit anyone who takes care of a child, especially those who have younger children. Many of the discounts and coupons are on diapers, baby food and baby essentials, which can save you a bundle in the early years.
When you sign up for the program, you create a profile for each child. This way you can get relevant recommendations and coupons based on your child’s age and stage in life.
One thing I love about Amazon Family is that I can order baby essentials and have them shipped to my door. This means I don’t have to take both of my kids to the store to stock up on diapers or other kid essentials.
When I signed up for the program, I was on maternity leave with my first child. The thought of going to the store with a baby to get diapers and wipes sent me running to my phone – and to Amazon Family.
Amazon became my go-to place to order anything and everything for my kids since it was convenient and I could find most things I needed. Now that my kids are older, I shop around more, but when my kids were little, Amazon Family and my Prime membership were very helpful.
Is Amazon Family worth the cost of Amazon Prime?
There are a few things to consider when evaluating getting an Amazon Prime membership so you can access the Amazon Family benefit. First, start off with a free 30-day trial to help you decide if what you get is worth the cost.
To unlock the 20 percent off diapers discount, you will need to use the Subscribe & Save option. You will need to sign up for five or more subscriptions to be delivered automatically every month to your home. This can include diapers, wipes, baby food, formula and household products, pantry staples and more.
You can adjust the quantity and schedule between every month and up to every six months. You can also cancel your subscriptions at any time. Many coupons are offered on the first subscription order, so to get the discount again, you will need to cancel and subscribe again after each order is delivered.
Amazon has a Subscribe & Save online store to help you find items eligible for the discount. The Amazon Family page shows Subscribe & Save products eligible for the Family program discount to make it easy to find and subscribe.
The bottom line on if Amazon family is worth the cost of Amazon Prime: it depends. If you use many of the products that fall under the Amazon Family program discounts, the savings can be material. The other perks of a Prime membership such as access to Prime Video and Prime Photos can also make it worth it for you.
Have you used Amazon Family? Did you find it worth the cost of an Amazon Prime membership? Share your experience in the comments.
–By Veneta Lusk
