Too many receiving blankets? Make a couple dozen of them into great prefold diapers. Even with a high-needs baby, I was able to make at least one of these diapers per day.
Here's how:
1. Cut one receiving blanket down to about 20" x 36" to 40". This should give you a second strip about 7"-10" wide.
2. Fold this narrow strip in half or thirds to about 20" long.
3. Place this down the center of the large piece, as shown:
[ :: [] :: ]
4. Fold in the sides of the larger piece about 2/3 of the way across.
5. Overlap them on top of the folded strip down the center, leaving the diaper about 15" across: [::[]::] = [[]]
Sewing:
1. Zigzag stitch across the top and bottom raw edges of the folded diaper, making sure to catch in all layers.
2. Stitch down the center pad about 1/2" in from the edge of the center pad.
NOTE: All measurements depend on original size of the blanket. Don't be afraid to experiment!
Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!
Shopping Suggestions:
• Simple Joys by Carter's Flannel Receiving Blankets
• Luvable Friends Flannel Receiving Blankets
• Gerber 100% Cotton Receiving Blankets
• Spasilk 100% Cotton Receiving Blankets
• Swaddling Hospital Receiving Blankets
• Kidalog Prefold Flannelette Cloth Diaper
• 4 Little Bits Boutique Prefold Diapers
Do you have any old, shrunk and matted wool sweaters?
Then you can make two excellent diaper covers per sweater. The more matted the sweater - the more waterproof the covers!
To Make: Cut equal-sided triangles from old, shrunk and matted 100% wool sweaters, and zigzag-stitch edges to prevent unraveling (optional).
You can usually get two small "baby bum sweaters" from one adult sweater, or one large
baby bum sweater.
Sizing as follows:
Premie.....cut three sides of triangle by 10 inches (26cm)
Newborn....cut three sides of triangle by 12 inches (31cm)
Medium.....cut three sides of triangle by 16 inches (41cm)
Toddler....cut three sides of triangle by 20 inches (51cm)
Super......cut three sides of triangle by 24 inches (61cm)
Picture one: Cut along cutting lines (red dashes in picture) for one baby bum sweater. Set aside the wrist-bands for use as leg bands on your
baby bum sweater.
Picture two: This is what your pattern should look like - using the sweater's waistband as the
baby bum sweaterwaistband.
Picture three: Fold up the material towards the waist band. Bring waist-band sides together at front.
Picture four: Sew along lines, about halfway along sides to form leg-holes. Be careful not to sew the leg-holes completely shut. You can adjust the leg hole openings, larger or smaller, to fit your baby's legs.
Picture five: Your
bum sweatershould look something like this. Now take the wrist-bands you set aside earlier, and sew around the leg openings.You can thread a crochet tie through the waistband.
To use: Multi-layered or double diapers work best with these covers. Pull-on over diaper and tie in front.
TIP: Check out your local Goodwill, second-hand stores or other thrift stores for second-hand wool sweaters to use - very cheap!
Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip and instructional pics!
Shopping Suggestions:• Princess of Patterns - Baby Soakers Vintage Knitting Pattern - Baby Soakers Vintage Knitting Pattern
• Pea Patch Diaper Soaker Knitting Pattern - This pattern is for a knitted wool cloth diaper cover much like your grandma or great-grandma may have used!
• Unisex Diaper Cover Pattern - This adorable knit diaper cover is perfect for baby to wear anytime, or for pictures.
• PATTERN PDF - Little man diaper cover and bow tie set -- 2 sizes From CrochetMyLove
I used Dr. Jack Newman's recipe for the homemade version of All Purpose Nipple Ointment, which one of the labor and delivery nurses gave to me after she saw all the blisters.
Dr. Jack Newman's recipe for All Purpose Nipple Ointment
1. Mupirocin ointment 2%: 15 grams
2. Betamethasone ointment 0.1%: 15 grams
3. To which is added miconazole powder to a concentration of 2% miconazole
Total: about 30 grams combined. Apply sparingly after each feeding. Do not wash or wipe off.
NO SUBSTITUTIONS
Take equal parts Polysporin, Lotrimin, and Cortisone.
Mix in small batches and use after anywhere from 4 to all feedings in a day, remix every 3 to 4 days.
The Polysporin has to be the brand name but the others can be generic.
It was a lifesaver and no need to find a compounding pharmacist to mix it.
Thanks to Emily for this Frugal Baby Tip!
Shopping Suggestions:
• Polysporin Ointment
• Lotrimin AF Antifungal Cream
• Cortizone Anti-Itch Creme
Well, after Sarah leaked out of a disposable diaper Friday night, I knew I could no longer put off making her a pull-on fleece diaper cover (I was going to wait till my mom arrives Tuesday).
So I bought some sewing elastic and snap tape (metal snaps), and yesterday afternoon started sewing.
It went quickly, and last night Sarah wore it.
I did make it a bit large and had to pin it closed, as it was too loose with just the snaps, but it still worked!
Yes, she had a HUGE diaper bum, but this morning, despite a thoroughly sopping diaper, the cover was DRY!! Which means so were our sheets!
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| Mother-Ease Bedwetter Training Pants |
Then I put elastic at the waist and legs, snap tape at the sides, and that was it.
The cover will likely fit her till she is at least 70 lbs, and hopefully, by then she will be dry at night anyway.
For a diaper, I used a flannel receiving blanket, folded in half, with two terry hand towels folded in fourths inside it. Pinned it on.
Poor kid slept with SIX diaper pins last night! But the whole thing worked!
We've had to wash our sheets four times in the past week, and we were really getting tired of that.
Thanks to Amy for this Frugal Baby Tip!
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| Personalized merino wool diaper cover soaker |
I haven't found a whole lot of crochet patterns but have found a few, and I thought I would share them with you.
A good place to go is Ravelry.com - a free site for knitters and crocheters.
I just found this site last week and I'm completely in love with it! The wool soaker group on Yahoo also has a few good patterns.
Here are a few others I found...
Quick to Crochet Baby Boy Soakers-- Once you make your first couple of crocheted diaper covers, you'll be hooked on them and so will your little boy!
Click for pattern: Quick to Crochet Baby Boy Soakers
Curling Baby Set-- Julia says,
I wanted something absorbent so I chose the front and back post stitch to give it extra padding. The moms who have tried them have been really excited about how well the diaper covers work.
Click for pattern: Curling Baby Set
Simple Diaper Cover-- Jennifer says,
I love these diaper covers! They make great gifts for new moms.
Click for pattern: Simple Diaper Cover
Little Fire Crochet Soaker Pants
-- The first one is super easy!
This pattern is written in four sizes
Click for pattern: Little Fire Crochet Soaker Pants
Tickle Turdle Wool Wraps- Allows you to select the closure method you prefer. A Snappi works great! So do diaper pins!
Click for pattern: Tickle Turdle Wool Wrap
Rolled Edge Wool Soakers-- Crochet it, put it on your baby and adore how cute it looks!
Click for pattern: Rolled Edge Wool Soakers Pattern
(archived on the Wayback Machine)
Easiest Crochet Wool Soaker Pattern-- This soaker pattern is the simplest of the simples to crochet. It is very economical, as it will fit most babies from start to finish because it is so S-T-R-E-T-C-H-Y. Even the most novice of crocheters can work it up in no time.
Click for pattern: Easiest Crochet Wool Soaker Pattern
Learn to Crochet Wool Diaper Covers-- Although these pants can be knitted, Stephanie found it faster to crochet them ... and all I need to make a pair is a size
Jcrochet hook and four ounces of wool.
Click for pattern: Learn to Crochet Wool Diaper Covers
More Crochet Diaper Cover Patterns:
• Princess Diaper Cover
• Mickey and Minnie Inspired Crochet Diaper Covers
• Bubbly Diaper Cover
• Adirondack Babie Crocheted Soaker
Shopping Suggestions:
• Celine lin 100% Wool Thick Hand Knitting Yarn
• Patons Classic Wool Yarn
• Susan Bates Luxite Plastic Crochet Hook Set
• Boye Aluminum Crochet Hook Set
 |
| Rub a Dub Draw in the Tub Bath Crayons |
Here's how to make soap crayons for bath-time fun and easy quick clean-up!
I am wondering if we could use cookie cutters or somehow get them into better shapes than just the ice cube tray, but I haven't tried it myself yet.
Ingredients:
🖍️ 1 3/4 cups Ivory Snow (powder or soap flakes)
🖍️ 50 drops food coloring
🖍️ 1/4 cup water
Directions:
🖍️ Mix water and soap flakes together.
🖍️ Add food coloring.
🖍️ Put mixture into an bottle stick ice cube tray.
🖍️ Allow to harden.
🖍️ Break or cut into pieces.
🖍️ Fun to write with on the tub when bathing as well as your face and hands!
Aching breasts? Need some relief?
Cut out four 6 inch circles of a soft 100% cotton (prewashed) fabric, such as cotton knit, flannelette or double layers of gauze.
You can use recycled T-shirts, worn-out cloth diapers, etc.
Cut with pinking shears, if you have them, for a nice edge.
 |
| Drawing by Catherine McDiarmid-Watt |
Put two layers of fabric on top of each other, right sides out.
Sew a 1-inch circle in the middle of your circles.
Sew about 1/4 - 1/2 inch from the edge, with a zig-zag or serger, a double row of straight stitch, or even hand-stitching - 3/4 of the way around each circle.
Now fill with rice, flax or whole oats, just enough without being bulky. The pad should still be able to lay flat.
Next, add just a bit of your favorite spice or scent, or even dried flower petals - not too much.
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| Bamboobies Boob Ease Soothing Therapy Pillows |
Close up remaining 1/4 of the circle. Repeat, using the second two layers.
Now make a second set of breast pads, because you are going to love these!
To use these pads: Simply heat or chill, then slip inside your bra.
Cooling comfort soothes sore new mama nipples and breasts.
Store a set of breast pads in the freezer for cool comfort - especially helpful for use shortly before feeding to slightly numb sore nipples - it will relieve that initial latching-on pain.
Or wear them to bring out flat and inverted nipples - which makes it easier for baby to get a good latch.
Gentle warmth opens clogged ducts and helps to increase milk production.
Warm up a set of breast pads in the microwave - start with 20 seconds and check to see if they are warm enough.
(Don't make them too hot, or you can burn your delicate breast tissue.)
These are very comforting when used on sore nipples after a feeding, or to place over a plugged duct.
Shopping Suggestions:• Soothies Gel Pads
• Breastfeeding Relief - Cold/Hot Gel Pack
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Tube Booby
• Philips AVENT Thermal Gel Pads
• Bamboob-ease Soothing Therapy Pillows
• Breast-Warmers Therapy-Breast Pads
 |
| Somebody unrolled all the toilet paper!, by Rob, Joyce, Alex and Nova |
Make your own toilet roll cover/protector by recycling a plastic 2 liter soda pop bottle.
HOW TO MAKE:Cut off the bottle top and bottom of the soda pop bottle, to form your toilet roll cover/protector.
Measure your wall mount toilet paper roll holder to see what size you need - mine was 4 3/4 inches (12 cm) across.
TIP: you can use the leftover bottom to make fancy flower shaped ice cubes for punch - and the leftover top for a funnel for sand play!
Cut a slot in this toilet roll cover/protector, to allow you to pull the toilet paper through, about 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) high and 4 inches (10 cm) across.If you are using double roll toilet paper, simply cut across completely - from one side to the other.
If you wish, cover all raw edges with plastic tape to match your decor - I only had black tape on hand, but you can use any color to match your decor.
If using double roll toilet paper, use a piece of plastic tape to tape across the open sides, attaching both sides, leaving an opening of about 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) or larger, for the toilet paper to hang out.
Remove your toilet roll and spindle from the wall mount, slide both inside your new toilet roll protector, and reattach the roll to the wall mount.
This should at least slow your toddler or pets down!
Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!
Tutorial Photo credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved
Shopping Suggestions:• Paws-Free Toilet Paper Cover - Stops children and pets from unraveling toilet paper.
• Mom Invented TP Saver - Perfect for kids and pets
• Toilet-Seat-Belt Lock - Avoid bathroom messes by stopping waste by children and pets
• EZ-Load Toilet Paper Holder - Spring hinges on both sides makes loading toilet paper a snap
 |
| Photo Credit: St. Lunaire Refugee Home by Otis Historical Archives National Museum |
I used olive oil as a friend suggested.
She says mayonnaise also works.
You don't have to leave it on overnight, although I did - just to be safe.
A few hours will do the trick.
Comb out dead buggies with a lice comb, then wash hair and pick out remaining nits.
This treatment should be done on days 1, 2, 5, 9, 17, 19, and 21 - to coincide with the life cycle of the lice.
Value added is it's not so hard on your drains when you wash it out.
Thanks to Katie for this Frugal Baby Tip!
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