My Frugal Baby Tips

Image: Fresh Baby So Easy Baby Food and Breast Milk Trays | Reduce waste: defrost only what you need

Fresh Baby Baby Food/Breast Milk Trays

We were so broke after my daughter was born, so I read a book from the library called the Tightwad Gazette, and got a lot of earth-friendly, cheap ideas on running your house.

I think that's when I first considered actually washing the cloth diapers my kid was wearing (someone gave us 3 months of diaper service for a baby gift), making baby food (fewer fillers and preservatives and cheaper!!!).

It turns out a lot of the frugal things to do are very good for the environment.

Image: 12 Pack 7 oz Owl Reusable Baby Food Squeeze Storage Pouches | Homemade Organic Baby, Toddlers Food | Easy to Fill and Clean Friendly | Leak Proof Double Zipper Refillable Pouch Plus a Flower Funnel | by Kirecoo

Reusable Baby Food Squeeze Pouches

And another book, the Mommy Made one I mentioned, even had good ideas for making and freezing the meats, and great tips on picky eaters and order of introducing foods.

Altho' it sounds like most of our kids did fine, eating wise.

I spent a couple hours a week making foods, pureeing them, and freezing them in ice cube trays.

When I fed her, I just popped an ice cube or two of squash into a bowl and heated it.

Of course, she kinda transitioned into eating table food by about 11 months and I still sometimes find a cube or two of beans or chicken in the freezer when I'm hunting for something else! LOL!

I also saved a few baby food jars, and so when I'd go out, I found the food would melt to just about room temp by the time I needed it.

It worked well for my weekly MOMS group lunch at the park.

Thanks to Ness for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray

During the day when I know she's teething, she enjoys eating homemade popsicles and other soothing foods.

Frozen banana chunks work well, too.

Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder

I use a Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder to hold the banana chucks safely.

And less sugar and more nutrients than popsicles.

But this time of year, maybe you'd better do it right before a good warm bath!

It's very gooey by the time they finish gumming them, anyway.

Thanks to Tami and Ness for these Frugal Baby Tips!

Image: Potty training for baby, by The Wu's Photo Land on Flickr

I altered some too big hi-rise briefs (size 8, which I bought when I was pregnant) to make my daughter's cloth training pants.

I cut the underwear at the side seams and the rear side of the crotch panel, discarding the butt portion.

Then I sewed an outer layer of flannel around three layers of terry cloth, about 2 inches wide by 8 inches long, the size of a maxi pad.

Image: 4 Pack Potty Training Pants for Baby and Toddler Boys, Pure Cotton, Adorable and Comfortable

Cotton Training Pants

I sewed this panel into crotch of the underwear, then sewed the open end of the crotch panel (where the butt part had been attached) over and sewed the sides of the underwear to the sides of the center (crotch) panel.

The original elastic of the waistband and leg bands of the underwear function the same in the scaled-down version, except because the crotch panel becomes a part of the waist, there are a couple inches in the front where there's no elastic - this doesn't make any difference whatsoever.

And my daughter loves having underwear that looks just like her mom's!

(I also saved the extra fabric from the butt area to make her coordinating underwear for her Betsy Wetsy doll!)

Thanks to Monica Thomas for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Recycled wool wrap, by Ashley Barrett on Flickr

You could test your baby's used wool covers for waterproofness, by dribbling some water on them.

If the water beads up, they are still good.

If the water spreads out or soaks in, you need to re-lanolize them.

To do this, you need to get some Lanolin, (you don't have to pay the $$ for Lansinoh).

Anhydrous Lanolin Pharmaceutical Grade

Dissolve a small amount in a cup of hot water, then fill a sink full of warm water.

Pour the water and dissolved Lanolin into it, then put the covers in.

Squeeze the covers to get the Lanolin to penetrate.

Then squeeze the water out, and lay flat to dry.

You might also want to put a bit of baby shampoo in the water, to clean them.

I am not a lanolizing expert, so I am not sure if the shampoo would have any effect on the lanolin being effective... anyone else knows?

Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash

If you did this, you would want to rinse them in some clear water first.

Another option: I use Eucalan, which is a special wool wash which already has lanolin in it.

You can add additional Lanolin, which I recommend for the first wash since they are gently used.

Then every so often, maybe every month or two.

Thanks to Scarlet for this frugal baby tip!

Image: Emma follows in family tradition, by Paul Roberts on Flickr

Have you got a funny baby who loves to turn off your computer, right in the middle of your work or writing?

If the front of your computer is flat, you can protect it with a sheet of plexiglass and some sticky-back Velcro® dots!

Just get a small piece of plexi-glass or even a plastic bread board - say about 5" by 7" (or to fit your computer) - and six Velcro® dots.

Place one side of the Velcro® dots at each corner of the plexi-glass or bread board, and one in the centre of each longer end.

Next, place the other side of the Velcro® dots on the coordinating spot across the front of your computer, covering up the ON button. Line up the two sides of Velcro® and install your:

Frugal Baby Computer Protector TM!

Image: Norpro Icon Cut N Slice Flexible Cutting Boards | Flex it, bend it or funnel it

If the front of your computer is not flat, don't despair! Get a flexible cutting board from the Dollar store, or keep an eye out for some clear rigid packaging, that you can wrap across the front of your computer, and fasten with Velcro® dots along each side.

This time you will need the rigid plastic to be about 8.5" by 11" (or to fit your computer).

Place three Velcro® dots along each side of the shorter end of the plastic.

Then place the coordinating dots along each side of your computer front, to match the ones on your piece of plastic.

Then just line up and fasten one side, wrap around and fasten on the other side. There you go!

NOTE: This will not stop a determined troublemaker, but is very effective for most babies and toddlers who don't really understand the frustration turning off mommy's or daddy's computer can cause!

Image: Parent Units PC Guard Tower Protector | PC guard tower protector covers computer front panels | protecting power buttons, DVD/CD draws, and disc drives

Shopping Suggestions:
• Parent Units PC Guard Tower Protector

• Norpro Icon Cut N Slice Flexible Cutting Boards

• Velcro Brand Sticky Back Coins 5/8 inch 15/Pkg-Clear

• Safety 1st Power Strip Cover

• Mommy's Helper Power Strip Safety Cover

Image: Kids love this, by Philippe Teuwen, on Flickr

Cover your hands with bubble solution.

Then place your hands together as if to form a cup, leaving a small opening at the bottom.

Hold your mouth about one foot above your hands, and BLOW!

Homemade Bubbles
• 1/2 (500 ml) cup dish-washing liquid/soap
• 4-1/2 (4.5 liter) cup water
4 tablespoons (60 ml) glycerin

Measure out the water, detergent, and glycerin into a container with a cover and stir gently.

Note: The longer you let the mixture set, the larger the bubbles are and the longer they seem to last.

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

More Bubble Ideas:

Giant Bubble Maker

The Most Fantastic Bubble Wand

Have you ever made giant bubbles? How fun!

Here is a DIY giant bubble wand tutorial

Giant Bubbles Recipe

• 6 cups water
• 1 cup Karo® Light Corn Syrup
• 2 cups (16 ounces) clear dish-washing liquid/soap

Ultra Bouncing Bubbles

Bouncing Bubbles

Can you make bubbles bounce?

I wonder if I made this if my dogs would appreciate it as much as kids might?

• 1 cup distilled drinking water
•1 Tablespoon dish soap
•1 Teaspoon of glycerin
•1 straw (this is just what I chose to blow the bubbles with, I'm assuming you can use a typical bubble wand)
•1 clean glove (or sock) - (this is to keep the bubble from popping)

Mix all ingredients together and let sit for 24 hours.

Recipe thanks to PlayAtHomeMomLLC.com

Image: Snake Bubbles, by acoupleofcraftaddicts

Snake Bubbles

How fun would it be to make snake bubbles!?

This craft is so easy and I bet you already have all the supplies in your house.

All you need is a plastic water or juice bottle.

Cut off the bottom, cover the raw edges with duct tape, dip in bubble solution and BLOW!

Have a contest to see who will make the longest snake!

Idea and photo credit: A Couple of Craft Addicts
All rights reserved

Image: Palmolive Ultra Soft Touch Dish Liquid | Leaves even your toughest dishes, pots, and pans sparkling clean

Shopping Suggestions:
• Palmolive Ultra Soft Touch Dish Liquid

• Heritage Store Vegetable Glycerin

• Ecover Grapefruit and Green Tea Dishwashing Liquid

• Karo Light Corn Syrup

We sleep all together in a family bed.

I have always just folded up a flannel receiving blanket in fourths and put it under baby.....

When they got older and were potty training... I put the rubberized crib sheet under their portion of the sheet and cover that with the folded up blankie.

Makes the leaks less devastating to the night.

Plus... remember I have had waaaaaaaaaay more leaks with disposable diapers than with cloth diapers...

In fact, that is when I started using this blanket thing was when I was using disposable diapers.

Thanks to Elke for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: King of the Kitchen, by Gabriella Corrado, on Flickr

When my boys were little, we didn't have any door handles on our lower kitchen cabinets.

I just hooked a bungee cord from the door at one end, across the front of all the cabinet doors, to the door at the other end.

My son couldn't get in!

Thanks to Betsy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

NOTE: Some children might still be able to undo these cords, and they could snap back - so it is always best to monitor your child, do not leave them alone in the kitchen.

Image: Keeper 06051 10 inch Bungee Cord - Pack of 4 - Maximum tensioning with minimum force

Shopping Suggestions:
• Keeper 10" Bungee Cord

• Highland Fat Strap Bungee Cord Assortment

• Kiscords Safety Cabinet Locks

• Mommy's Helper Safe-Lok Cabinet Door and Drawer Lock

• Magnetic Cabinet Locks

• Dual Action Multi Use Latches

Image: Cute Baby in Blanket, by Punit Sharma on Pixabay

Here are some quick and easy baby gift ideas:

If you can crochet, you can either buy flannel, burp cloths or ready-made receiving blankets, and finish the edge with crochet.

You can make a double layered receiving blanket just by sewing two together along the serged edge.

You can trim a receiving blanket with lace, ribbon, etc. for a beautiful finish!

More Receiving Blanket Ideas!

• How to Sew a Receiving Blanket

• Receiving Blanket with Matching Burp Cloth

• Reversible Flannel Receiving Blankets with Decorative Stitching

• Crocheted-Edge Blanket Tutorial

• 5 Crochet Edges You Should Know

And more baby gifts to make:

• Homemade Baby Gifts to Make

• Tutorial: DIY Lovey Tag Blanket

• Sew an Easy Beginner’s Baby Quilt

• 25 Fabulous Free Baby Sewing Patterns