My Frugal Baby Tips

Image: Smiling at a fresh delivery of diaper wipes, by Jessica Merz on Flickr

I prefer to use Puffs facial tissues for my baby's bottom rather than the homemade baby wipes to save money.

I have a squirt bottle filled with 2-3 tablespoons baby wash, 2-3 tablespoons baby oil and water.

I squirt his bottom, then wipe with the dry tissues.

Facial tissues are softer and much less expensive than paper towels - and I don't have to bother with cutting the paper towels in half (which can get quite bothersome).

Thanks to J. Buffett for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong Facial Tissues | Two times stronger when wet vs the leading value tissue

Shopping Suggestions:

• Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong Facial Tissues

• Tolco Flip Top Cylinder Bottle

• Johnson Head-To-Toe Baby Wash

• Johnson's Baby Oil

• Dr. Smith's On-the-Go Diaper Rash Spray

Image: Crazy baby on a plane, by Madgerly on Flickr

I've flown twice with my daughter, Mackenzie - we flew to and from Massachusetts at 2.5 months, then to and from at 7 months. I was alone with her the first time, and my husband was with us the second time. We'll be going again in July-August, which would be 14 months.

If you can afford it, get the extra seat - holding a 2.5-month-old was easy. Holding a 7-month-old was harder. We're getting a seat this time - we'll be flying there alone, then back with my husband.

Primo LapBaby

Check as much as you can. If you get a seat for the kiddo, he/she gets two bags as well. But be sure to save at least one bag worth for things you're bringing back with you - even if you get no gifts, things never pack as well!

Roll the diapers to make them fit better in the diaper bag - and pack a day's worth (8-10 if possible) plus an extra shirt for you and an extra outfit for the kiddo. I don't know if it's the air pressure or what, but we have had our worst blow-outs on planes!

If you bring a stroller, gate-check it - it will get you to the gate, then you can ditch it. That way it can help you carry a diaper bag, baby, and sling through the airport.

Flight Vest Travel Harness

Listen to my one word of advice - I don't care how addicted you are to your computer - do not try to carry baby, laptop bag, and diaper bag alone! It really isn't worth it - it gets bulky and heavy and cumbersome. But if you have a helper traveling with you, by all means, bring the laptop!

Finally, if you have a high-energy child, board *last* - if you pre-board that's just a longer period of time for them to get upset!

Happy traveling!

Rachel - who successfully cloth diapered through two airplane trips!

Thanks to Rachel for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Gustav in gDiaper, by Majorbonnet on Flickr

Here's a fast and simple way to make all your flat, prefold and shaped diapers into easy Velcro®-closing diapers!

Just cut one piece each of both hook and loop Velcro®.

Sizing: Small - cut 12" (31cm) long; Medium - cut 18" (46cm) long; Large - cut 24" (61cm) long; XLarge - cut 30" (76cm) long.

Trim off all the corners, into curves.

Place the Velcro® pieces back to back (with the hook and loop sides facing out, away from each other.)

Image: DIY Velcro(r) Diaper Fastener, by Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

Photo credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

Sew together, around all four edges.

That's it! One fastener is all you need! If you wish, you could make one or two more, in case one gets soiled or lost.

Is that too much work??

Then you could just buy the One Wrap Velcro straps - no sewing involved!

Care: Wash by hand in the sink and hang to dry for longer wear.

To Use: Simply place the diaper on your baby as you normally would.

But, instead of using pins or clips, simply wrap this Velcro® diaper fastener around the diaper at your baby's waist, with the hook side facing the diaper, overlapping the Velcro® at baby's front (or back, if your baby can undo the strap!) to fasten.

The Velcro® hook part helps to hold the diaper in place.

Make sure the hooks are completely covered by the diaper, or they may irritate your baby's skin.

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: MPI Fastening Tape | One Wrap Velcro Hook + Loop Fastening Tape | Double sided, one side hook, the other side loop. Just wrap around and it fastens on to itself

Shopping Suggestions:

• MPI One Wrap Velcro Hook/Loop Fastening Tape - Blue

• MPI One Wrap Velcro Hook/Loop Fastening Tape - White

• MPI One Wrap Velcro Hook/Loop Fastening Tape - Red

• MPI One Wrap Velcro Hook/Loop Fastening Tape - Green

Image: Make your own diaper sprayer, by Nicole V. Bennett on NicoleVBennett.com

Dana asked: I found directions online on how to make your own Bumkins Cloth Diaper Sprayer.

Here's the link: DIY Diaper Sprayer Tutorial

Anyone try this? Was it difficult?

Jen replied: I have something like that connected to our utility sink in the basement. I didn't even know they had this listed online.

I just went to the hardware store and told them what I was looking for, and the wonderful man set me up with all the parts I needed.

One nice thing about having it attached to the faucet is you can adjust the pressure. With the toilet, you can't.

You will also need plumbers tape if it isn't listed on the things to buy.

Oh, I love mine and no leaks.

Thanks to Dana and Jen for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: I see your baby mittens and raise you a sock! by Remy Sharp, on Flickr

Forget about those tiny mittens for winter babies.

Use your baby's older brother's or sister's woolly socks - clean, of course!

The socks will pull up high enough so baby can't get them off easily, and snow, etc. can't get in either.

Thanks to Arlene for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Sock Monkey Mittens

Opt for mittens, not gloves. Itty-bitty fingers are also super susceptible when the temperature drops, so always make sure your baby or young child's hands are covered — preferably with mittens, which keep those dainty digits in close company so they can work together to stay warmer.

Read more: How to Protect Babies and Toddlers From Extreme Cold

Image: Wee Dreamers | Baby Socks Wool Organic Toddler | Newborn Baby Gifts

Shopping Suggestions:

• Organic Wool Toddler Socks

• Warm Wool Socks

• Easy-On Sherpa Lined Fleece Mittens

• Sock Monkey Mittens

Image: yes, that's a baby... by Dea Bee, on Flickr

This one is for the bigger kids - at least over 5 years old!

Take two wooden sticks (rulers, paint sticks, Popsicle sticks, etc), center one on top of the other, at right angles.

(If using a ruler with a metal edge, make sure to remove the metal edge first.)

Strap together with a thick elastic.

PRESTO! You have an instant cross-boomerang.

Image: How to make a boomerang | Resources and references for everyone who loves to build anything

Hold upright, and throw with a quick flick of your wrist.

To catch, hold your hands flat and slap them together to trap the boomerang between them as it flies by.

Thanks to Paul for this Frugal Baby Tip!

TIP: For a cross-boomerang your little ones can play with, simply cut an X-shape out of cardboard. Cut two and glue together to make it sturdier!

WARNINGS!
• Do not throw your boomerang in high winds.
• Do not throw your boomerang at a person or animal.
• Do not throw your boomerang in a small room or confined space.

Image: Kustom Shop 12 inch Birch Paint Mixing Paddles | Pack Of 25

Shopping Suggestions:

• Kustom Shop Paint Mixing Paddles

• BAZIC Wooden Ruler

• Office Impressions Rubber Bands

• Multicraft Imports Colored Craft Sticks

• Room A Rang Indoor Boomerang

• Boomerangs: How to Make and Throw Them

Image: Somebody unrolled all the toilet paper!, by Rob, Joyce, Alex and Nova, on Flickr

Image: Make your own toilet roll protector by recycling a plastic 2 litre pop bottle

Would you like to prevent your toddler or pets from unrolling the entire roll of toilet paper, and stuffing it into the toilet, or trailing it through the house?

Make your own toilet roll cover/protector by recycling a plastic 2-liter soda pop bottle.

Image: Cut off the bottle top and bottom of the soda pop bottle, to form your toilet roll cover/protector

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!

Image: Cut a slot in this toilet roll cover/protector, to allow you to pull the toilet paper through, about 1/4 inch

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.

Image: 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

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

Image: EZ-Load Toilet Paper Holder | Spring hinges on both sides makes loading toilet paper a snap

Shopping Suggestions:
• EZ-Load Toilet Paper Holder - Spring hinges on both sides makes loading toilet paper a snap.

• Paws-Free Toilet Paper Cover - Stops children and pets from unraveling toilet paper.

• Mom Invented TP Saver - Perfect for kids and pets

Image: Deep thinking, because it's King! Spooky - by Lech Karol Pawłaszek, on Flickr

When our Diaper Duck broke for the second time, we decided not to pay the shipping to get another replacement.

Out of necessity, we discovered a frugal and effective fix - regular salad tongs work great for swishing and dunking diapers, and for holding the diaper and flushing at the same time.

The tongs have a metal piece that slides from the hinge end to the holder end, to keep the ends closed - when holding the diaper with the tongs, we slide this metal piece down, so the diaper stays clamped in the tongs.

You can swish and dunk without having to touch the toilet water at all.

Diaper Duck

Another great idea:
The Diaper Sprayer

Sometimes we swish and flush the big stuff, then just leave the diaper held in the tongs soaking in the toilet bowl until somebody needs to use the toilet.

Rolling the diaper around the tongs like rolling spaghetti on a fork, squeezes out enough water for the diaper to be whisked into a nearby diaper pail.

Thanks to Monica Thomas for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: ice on the windshield, by Anni and Bryan's (anniandbryan) from PhotoBucket

I guess this isn't really a baby tip, but when you have the kids already strapped into their car seats in the middle of winter, and the windshield is frosted over, anything to gets you moving quicker is a good idea!

What I did was fill a small spray bottle I bought at the Dollar Store with windshield washer fluid, good to 45 degrees below zero.

We start the car, have the heat settings on defrost, high and hot, and I spray the windshield quickly before strapping in the kids.

Once I am done, the ice scraper does a quick job of any remaining ice.

Another idea: Cover your windshield with an old bedsheet when snow or ice is in the forecast.

Hold the sheet in place, by closing it in the door on each side.

In the morning, just peel the sheet off the windshield.

Thanks to Cathy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Ice on the windshield, by Anni and Bryan