My Frugal Baby Tips

Image: Jacob playing with his baby wipes by AmberStrocel, on Flickr

Use old and stained diaper liners and/or diapers as bum-wipes.

Store damp cut-up pieces in an old commercial wipe box or a Tupperware® container (leave lid slightly ajar to avoid mustiness).

You can use either plain water, mild baby soap and water (very dilute, not my top choice) or witch hazel to dampen your wipes.

This saves you having to stop by the sink on the way changing change table.

You can also keep plain water wet wipes handy, then just use a spray bottle with mild soapy water and rinse with the plain water wipes.

Then we toss the used wipes in the diaper pail and wash with the cloth diapers.

Thanks to Julia for this Frugal Baby tip!

Image: Tupperware Sub Sandwich Hoagy Rectangular Sandwich Keeper

Shopping Suggestions:
• Tupperware Rectangular Sandwich Keeper

• Hemp/Organic Cotton Diaper Inserts

• Kushies Washable Liners

• Ah Goo Baby The Wipes Case

• ChangePal 3-in-1 Wipe Case

Image: Diaper Change, Kevin Phillips by on Flickr

Tea Tree Oil cured my Abby's recurrent yeast infections, plus her skin just has a more healthful, and translucent quality to it with the addition of the lavender.

Tea Tree oil comes from a tree (Melaleuca) in Australia.

Tea Tree Oil

You can purchase both tea tree oil and lavender at your local health food store.

However I bought my tea tree oil and lavender from Amazon.

It was half the price of my health food store, the tea tree oil was Thursdays Plantation brand.

Both are antibacterial and antifungal.

Wonderful things to have on your baby's bottom.

Thanks to Julie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: The Jo Fold - How to Fold a Flat Diaper, by Green Mountain Diapers

Photo credit: The Jo Fold - How to Fold a Flat Diaper, by Green Mountain Diapers

I know it probably isn't new to anyone but me, but I am completely amused with it!

I had all of her cloth diapers in the dryer, so I took one of her flannelette receiving blankets and fashioned it into a diaper.

I think it is the cutest thing, she fought because she wanted it to wrap one of her dolls in, oh well

The butt covering is more important than a doll being wrapped up in 80-degree weather...

Made a very pretty diaper too!

Thanks to Dawna for this Frugal Baby Tip!

The Jo Fold - How to Fold a Flat Diaper from Green Mountain Diapers on Vimeo.

Boudreaux's Rash Kicking Kit

My grandmother gave me a great tip - to kill yeasty diaper rash.

Burn 1/2 cup flour in a clean frying pan.

White Lily All-Purpose Flour

(Yes, it smells bad)

Store in airtight container.

Put a little on the baby with each change.

I know it sounds strange... but it really works great!

And, since it's probably something you already have in your cupboard, it is almost free!

Thanks to Ruth Liew for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: The case for child safety locks, by Smiley, on Flickr

Need to lock up the fridge, oven, cupboard, etc. to keep out the kids (or pets!)?

Anywhere you can place this lock on a door and around a corner edge, it will work!

Cut two pieces - 2" x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm) - of self-stick loop Velcro®.

Cut one piece - 6" x 2" (5 cm x 15 cm) of hook Velcro®. Cut this piece longer if needed to wrap around corner of fridge or cabinet.

Attach one short piece of loop Velcro® at each end of the long hook Velcro®. ⇒

Image: Attach one short piece of loop Velcro (r) at each end of the long hook Velcro(r)

Drawing credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved

Place high, out of your child's reach, on the fridge, microwave, freezer, cabinet, etc. - wrapping it around the edge of the door and onto the body of the fridge, microwave, freezer, cabinet, etc.

Clean the area with an alcohol wipe first, for a strong adhesive effect. Peel off protective papers, and stick loop Velcro® pieces into place - one on the door, one on the side - about 6" apart (or further if you cut a longer Velcro® strap). Let dry overnight for best results.

To use: Just unfasten hook Velcro®, and open the door. Then refasten when the door is shut.

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Adoric Baby Proofing Cabinet Locks for Child Safety | Child Proof Cabinet Cupboard Lock Latches | 3M Strong Adhesive Tape

Shopping Suggestions:
• Cabinet/Cupboard Child Locks

• VELCRO® Brand Industrial Strength

• Genuine First Aid Alcohol Prep Pads

• BabyKeeps Child Safety Locks

• Child Safety Cabinet latches

• Child Safety Locks

Image: Young street vendor with baby carried in a rebozo in the main square of the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, by Alejandro Linares Garcia on Wikipedia

Rebozo is a Mexican word for the shawl which is a woman's constant companion - day and night.

This shawl was commonly used to carry babies on mother's back. The fabric is simply tied in a knot, at the front, and placed around the mother's body.

An amazing tool, a Rebozo provides your baby with a safe and secure place while participating in life with mom and dad. So simple, yet so elegant!

Image: Woven wrap mexican rebozo hip back carrier for infants and toodlers | Baby Trapoz | Hand made with ancient pedal loom technique in Tlaxcala, Mexico

Mexican Rebozo Carrier
Hand made with ancient pedal loom technique
in Tlaxcala, Mexico

Now you can make your own!

First, pick out a suitable fabric. Look for a gorgeous print you love, in resilient and breathable cotton, silk or wool. It should be strong enough to hold your baby's weight, yet still, allow air circulation for when your baby is all bundled up. If you aren't sure, place it over your mouth and try to breath through the fabric!

Image: Fold your fabric over lengthwise, then measure and mark your fabric into thirds along the length

You will need 2 7/8 yards (100") or 2.54 meters (254 cm) of fabric at least 29" (73.7 cm) wide. Fold your fabric over lengthwise, then measure and mark your fabric into thirds along the length. You should have three equal sections of about 33.3" (84.6 cm) long each.

Image: Next measure out the width at 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) in the middle third, and mark straight across the open side, parallel to the fold

Next measure out the width at 14.5" (36.8 cm) in the middle third, and mark straight across the open side, parallel to the fold, with a pencil or piece of chalk.

On the other two thirds, measure 12" (30.4 cm) from the fold, and draw a tapered line from the middle third to the outer measurement at each end. You can do a straight line or a slightly curved line.

Pin the fabric together so it doesn't move about, and cut along your marked line. This leaves you with a 1/2" (12.7 cm) border for hemming. Fold in the raw edge 1/4" (6.4 cm), then again another 1/4" (6.4 cm) and stitch.

Image: For an quick Rebozo trim, open up your fabric and simply add 10 inches for the fringe, at each end

For an quick Rebozo trim, open up your fabric and simply add 10" (25.4 cm) of ready-made fringe at each end.

For a Real Authentic Rebozo Look:

You will need 3 1/3 yards (1,207 inches) or 3.04 metres (304 cm) of fabric. Before marking your Rebozo in thirds, mark off 10 inches (25.4 cm) for the fringe, at each end. Now follow the instructions above, within these two lines.

Open up your fabric and sew two rows of stitching 1/4" (6.5 cm) apart, across the width at the 10" (25.4 cm) mark to reinforce it.

Pull out the weft threads, which are the ones which form the cross-wise grain of the fabric, up to the 10" (25.4 cm) mark.

Secure these newly released warp threads artistically, by tying, macrame, beading, etc.

Mexican Rebozos are highly valued for the artistry going into this fringe. The expense and prestige of the Rebozo increases with the time put into the fringe. The best Rebozos have hearts, stars, ducks, donkeys and other geometric patterns knotted into the fringe.

Some have been embroidered with rural scenes flowers and animals, stories, religious experiences, to name a few. For those adventurous souls, you can even dye your own fabric, using natural dyes of green walnuts, indigo, iron, molasses, and cochineal.

It is said the beauty of a Mexican woman is to be judged by her braids and her Rebozo.

For Best Results:
1. Buy extra fabric to compensate for shrinkage and the fact most fabric isn't cut straight. Cut it down to measure yourself.
2. Straighten the grain before sewing by pulling on diagonally opposite corners of the fabric.
3. Pre-shrink your fabric before cutting.

Acknowledgements: Parts of our article were taken from (1)How to Sew Your Own Rebozo Sling © 1995, and (2)History of the Rebozo, used with permission. The Rebozo Way Project is an educational project that teaches about traditional babywearing, in-arms and attachment parenting, and traditional ways of birthing and family and community relationships. You can learn more by visiting NurturingAcrossCultures

Image: Woven wrap mexican rebozo hip back carrier for infants and toddlers | Baby Trapoz | Hand made with ancient pedal loom technique in Tlaxcala, Mexico

Shopping Suggestions:
• Mexican Rebozo Carrier (Gray) - Hand made with ancient pedal loom technique in Tlaxcala, Mexico

• Mexican Rebozo Carrier (Purple) - Hand made with ancient pedal loom technique in Tlaxcala, Mexico

• Mexican Rebozo Carrier (Pink) - Hand made with ancient pedal loom technique in Tlaxcala, Mexico

• Mexican Rebozo Shawl

• What Can You Do With a Rebozo?

• The Easy Guide to Rebozo for Pregnancy and Birth

Image: Large Baby, by Marina Thompson on Flickr

With all the talk about which diaper cream to use, I was wondering if anyone has tried to make their own?

I did with my first (wasn't cloth diapering though) and loved it.

Below is the recipe I used from a book called, Natural Beauty at Home.

Image: Earthwise White Beeswax Pellets | 100% pure, refined, and naturally bleached beeswax granules from GreenHealth

100% Beeswax Pellets

Ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp. grated beeswax
• 2 Tbsp. Lanolin
• 1/2 cup almond oil (could use just about any type of skin oil here)
• 2 Tbsp. distilled water
• 2 Tbsp. witch hazel
• 1 pinch borax powder (emulsifier)

Directions:
Combine beeswax and oil in hot water bath (double boiler like set up) and heat until beeswax is melted.

Then add in lanolin, heating until melted. Remove from heat.

In a separate container add distilled water, witch hazel, and borax.

Mix to dissolve borax and heat until just boiling.

The microwave works great for this part.

Slowly pour the water/hazel/borax solution into the heated wax/oil while stirring briskly with a wire whisk until a thick cream starts to form.

Pour quickly into a wide mouth container.

NOTE: this is a VERY thick cream, not pourable at all.
When my son was an infant I didn't add any scents.
As he got older I would add one of the following essential oils: lavender, chamomile, tea tree.
I'll be making a batch of this soon in preparation for the second child.

Thanks to Hope Martin for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Personal Creations | Baby Shower Diaper Cake

When your baby outgrows the need for diapers, and you still have disposables left or cloth still in decent condition, what do you do with them?

1. Make a heating pad
-- Soothe your aching neck. Or, for that matter, your aching back or shoulder. Use a disposable diaper's high level of absorbency to your advantage by creating a soft, pliant heating pad. Moisten a disposable diaper and place it in the microwave on medium-high setting for about 2 minutes. Make sure it's not too hot for comfort, then apply to your achy part.

2. Keep a plant watered longer
-- Before potting a plant, place a clean disposable diaper in the bottom of the flowerpot -- absorbent side up. It will absorb water which would otherwise drain out the bottom and will keep the plant from drying out too fast. You'll also cut back on how often you have to water the plant.

3. Pad a package
-- You want to mail your friend that lovely piece of china you know she will love. But you don't have any protective wrapping on hand. If you have disposable diapers, wrap the item in the diapers or insert them as padding before sealing the box. Diapers cost more than regular protective packaging wrap, but at least you will have gotten the package out today, and you can be assured your gift will arrive in one piece.

4. Protect an Injury
-- I once used a cloth prefold diaper to wrap up and protect a gaping wound till we got to the hospital.

5. More Uses
-- Flat and prefold diapers can be used as sunscreens, burp cloths, thin blankets, nursing cover-up, pot holders, Swiffer pads, dust rags, reuseable paper towels, window cleaners, face washies for after meals, traveling diaper changing pads, reusable travel washies, bibs, to wash the car, and so much more!

Wilton Diaper Cake Kit

And of course, there is always the diaper shower cake or diaper wreaths - there are patterns for both cloth and disposable diapers.

6. Cloth Diapering Fun and Printables
-- Diaper Quiz, Diaper Slime, Cloth Diaper Printables, Cloth Diaper Memes, Fluffy Bum on Board Clear Sticker, Diaper Friendly party, Funny Things Cloth-Diapering Moms Do, Baby's First Diaper Change, Cloth Diaper Cake Tutorial, Types of Diaper Loads, Diaper Quotes, Cloth Diaper Rap Song, Printable Cloth Diapering Cards, Cloth Diaper Charity Directory, Real Diaper Association Coloring Book, Celebrities Use Cloth Diapers, Unusual Uses for Disposable Diapers, Things You Should NEVER Ever Do to Cloth Diapers, and Make Diaper Changes Fun!

Make Other things into Diapers

👶 Make receiving blankets into new diapers
Too many receiving blankets? Make a couple dozen of them into great prefold diapers.

👶 More Free Diapers Sewing Projects

👶 Free Cloth Diaper Patterns
Free cloth diaper pattern links for everything you need to cloth diaper your child.

More cloth diaper ideas:

👶 The MANY Different Uses for a Prefold Cloth Diaper

👶 Quick Tip – Non-Cloth Diaper Uses for Flats and Prefolds

👶 Nine More Uses for Used Cloth Diapers

More disposable diaper ideas:

👶 16 Fun and Practical Uses for Clean Diapers

👶 9 Things Disposable Diapers Are Good for Besides Poop

👶 11 Unusual Uses for Diapers

👶 Other uses for Disposable Diapers?

And here's one more use for diapers...

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Cloth Diaper Sprayer

Leann said: A diaper sprayer is best for this kind of poop on diapers and baby clothing - or even your own clothing!

I use my shower head which easily reaches the toilet, and I find it works best when set for hot water.

It literally breaks up the poop and drains into the toilet.

I don't know if a hot setting is an option on a diaper sprayer connected to the toilet - probably not.

Molly said: We ended up getting a sprayer.

I didn't want to spend the money on the expensive diaper sprayers, so we got a power sprayer from Home Depot for only $17.

Cloth Diaper Sprayer

It attaches to the shower (our shower is next to the toilet) and works great! We can use it to wash the dogs, clean the tub, etc.

I think it's much more versatile than the diaper sprayers and cheaper, too!

TUTORIALS:
• How to Make A Diaper Sprayer | on Youtube

• DIY - How To Make Your Own Diaper Sprayer

• How to build a diaper sprayer

Thanks to Leann and Molly for this Frugal Baby Tip!