My Frugal Baby Tips

Image: stashaios by girlonthewire, on Flickr

Who me....Sew?? Yes, learn to sew! You can do it!

Photo credit: girlonthewire, on Flickr
Some rights reserved

Many women have learned to sew while making their own diapers. They just took it step by step and asked questions if they didn't understand something. There are many new and wonderful patterns out there on the worldwide web.

Also many fabric co-ops for high quality fabrics that are half the price of retail. Many women join diaper sewing groups with others online that can help give advice when they need it, or show pictures of beautiful diapers they have made which helps boost confidence.

Image: Bumkins outers by dibbus1987, on Flickr

I got a tip when I was starting to use only high quality fabrics and notions, and that has proved to be very wise advice indeed. Yes, you can make your first trial diapers out of old receiving blankets, but if you are going to put a lot of time and energy into making things, it's great to have them look beautiful, be absorbent, and last and last!

I just made my first Bumkins look a like last night and it only took about a half an hour!! I put an adorable robot fabric on the outside, a waterproof PUL fabric inside, lined it with microfleece from Malden Mills and made a soaker out of Hemp jersey that is soo absorbent! It didn't leak at night, fits great and looks awesome. It was sooo easy, and you can do it too. Check out websites for fabric and patterns online and ask around before you buy to make sure you will like the fit, as they are all different.

Image: Bumkins animal prints inners by dibbus1987, on Flickr

With the cost of ready made all-in-one diapers from $15 and up (and don't forget shipping) it can be costly for parents to get quality diapers that daddy likes too, and are easy for outings, when you have a baby sitter, or granny watching baby.

Photo credit: dibbus1987, on Flickr
Some rights reserved

But with sewing your own diapers, even with the cost of shipping high quality material and Aplix (better than Velcro™) You can make super cool diapers for about $3 a piece!!! I am developing a pattern for an all-in-one with instructions that is similar to the Bumkins, but has a little better fit!

I found that Amazon.com has good prices on fabric and you can get all your stuff at once to save on shipping, then you can try out diaper making and if you like it buy more stuff from fabric co-ops.

Good Luck on your diaper sewing.

Thanks to Sarah Markie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Amazon sells diaper fabrics: Diaper Flannel, Hemp, Organic, Cotton Fleece, Waterproof PUL (Polyurethane Laminate)

Image: Diaper patterns: One size, all-in-one, One size fits most, diaper covers, and more

Shopping Suggestions:
• Diaper fabrics: Diaper Flannel, Hemp, Organic, Cotton Fleece, Waterproof PUL (Polyurethane Laminate), and more.
• Diaper patterns: One Size Diaper Pattern, Babyville Boutique Cloth Diapers Made Easy Book, Kwik Sew Diapers and Covers Pattern, How To Make All-In-One, One-Size-Fits-Most Cloth Diapers, Fishsticks Designs Cloth Diaper Pattern, and more.
• Aplix and Sew on Hook and Loop Velcro®

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Di-D-Klips - No worry about sticking parent or baby, with these metal clips used instead of diaper pins. 1 pair (2 clips)

I loved using these Di-D-Klips for my son, when he was a baby, wearing in Curity stretch gauze diapers - way back in 1977.

But unfortunately Di-D-Klips were discontinued many, many years ago, and they are really hard to find now.

N'Ice Caps TM unisex-child N'Ice Caps Mitten Clips - Put a stop to little ones loosing their gloves with these colorful mitten clips

I found that using either mitten clips or adding some waterproof covered elastic to suspender clips makes a great diaper clip - and it is safer too! No choking hazard!

I just stretched out a piece of nylon fabric over a stretched out length of elastic, and sewed a suspender clip to each end - just like the mitten clips.

Plus you could make your own tie wrap - without any sewing required!

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

HOW TO USE:
1. Bring back of cloth diaper to overlap front of diaper.
2. Clip must be pushed firmly onto diaper.

NOTE: Curity stretch gauze diapers haven't been manufactured for many, many years, but are now considered collectables! If you are seeking Curity diaper products, you can most likely find them on online auction websites. As an example, I bought my children 3 dozen Curity diapers for $11.00/dozen back in 1974 - used them on 4 babies, and then sold these very same diapers for $5.00 each on Ebay in the late 90's! Making a profit of $144 selling used diapers!

So expect to pay a pretty penny for these well-loved diapers!

Dritz Mitten/Suspender Clips 2/Pkg-Nickel - For making suspenders and mittens clip to garments - 2/pkg

Shopping Suggestions:
• Toddlers Elastic Mitten Clips - US | Canada | UK

• Dritz Mitten/Suspender Clips
• Stretchrite Cotton 3/8-inch Swimwear Elastic
• Discount Fabric 100% Nylon Swatch
• Snappi Cloth Diaper Fasteners

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Image: A closeup of an aloe plant. Stock Photo credit: Sean Okihiro (okimann), on FreeImages

I would like to share one of my ideas for preventing diaper rash and chaffing.

I use Aloe Vera either the fresh plant or the extract bought at the pharmacy or health food store.

It saves money and is a great barrier cream.

It also works great on teething rash around the mouth, as it is not harmful to swallow.

I'm sure it works great on the cuts and scrapes for everyone else in the house gets.

Thanks to Jennifer for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Stock Photo credit: Sean Okihiro (okimann), on FreeImages
Some rights reserved

Image: Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel 6 oz. - 100% pure aloe vera; fragrance-free; no color added

mage: Fruit Of The Earth 100 % Aloe Vera Gel - Forms a Protective Barrier which Helps Retain Moisture and Promotes Healing

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Make your baby a really cute-looking romper from an older child's T-shirt or tank top.

Just make sure the hem of the shirt hangs a few inches lower than the baby's diaper crotch.

Stitch 2"-3" of Velcro® loop (or 2"-3" of snap tape "head") on the inside of the hem, centre-front, and 2"-3" of Velcro® hook (or 2"-3" of snap tape "holes") on the outside of the hem, center-back.

If you find the neck opening a bit too big, just overlap the fabric at the back of the neck, and add a dot of Velcro® or one snap to hold it closed.

The extra bonus is that there is room in this romper to fit over a cloth diaper, AND the legs cover the diaper nicely.

Then you just slip your new baby romper onto your baby, and fasten at the crotch - how adorable!!

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Emily (Spamily), on Flickr
Some rights reserved

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Image: Cuddle Baby Carrier, by BorntoLove.com, 1980

Turn your old jeans into a sturdy denim baby carrier! You'll need TWO pair of adult jeans, with no worn spots on the backside. Remove the back of the jeans from the fronts, leaving the thick side seams attached to the discarded fronts.

Cut off waist-band, belt loops and leg hems. Make a T-shaped cut up the centre from each crotch, as follows: On one jean-back - "T" is through the centre of the back pockets.

On the other jean-back - "T" is midway between the crotch and bottom of back pockets. Fold the legs in on themselves to form 4" wide straps. Double-stitch along the length of both sides of these straps. Place one jean-back on top of the other, to form an "H" shape - lining up one jean-back along the top of the other's pockets. Double-stitch the two jean-backs together.

Tie the shorter straps around your waist. For a front carrier, have a friend help place baby's stomach against your stomach, baby's legs on either side of the carrier seat. For a back carrier, baby's stomach is against your back. Bring carrier and longer straps up over baby, with one strap over each of your shoulders.

For a front carrier, you could cross the straps at your back. While you hold securely onto the longer straps to support baby, have your friend mark or pin where these longer straps meet the seat part, making sure this is a comfortable position for baby and you.

Remove baby and carrier, double-stitch longer straps to marked spots, on the inside of the seat part. Finish by folding and hemming any remaining cut edges. Make sure all stitching seams are strong and sturdy for safety.

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: BorntoLove.com
All rights reserved

Image: Baby K'tan Baby Carrier: unique double loop design means no wrapping, no hardware; Easy to put on and use

Shopping Suggestions:
• US: Baby K'tan Baby Carrier
• CANADA: Baby K'tan Baby Carrier
• UK: Baby K'tan Baby Carrier

• US: Baby Kangaroo Breathable Baby Sling
• CANADA: Baby Kangaroo Breathable Baby Sling
• UK: Rider Infant Comfort Baby Carrier

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Entertain baby in the kitchen by filling the bottom drawer in the kitchen with safe plastic aluminum/steel, or wooden kitchen items.

Such as... bowls and containers with lids, tools like whisks, spatulas, wooden spoons, pot lids and other safe kitchen things.

Baby will love to open and close this "special drawer", taking the things out and putting them back in.

It may even give you some time to get your kitchen work done!

Thanks to Caroline for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Amber Lynn Lane (amberlynnlane), on Flickr
Some rights reserved

Image: Totally Bamboo 5-Piece Utensil Set - includes a Turner, Slotted Spatula, Spoon, Slotted Spoon and a Single Hole Mixing Spoon

Image: Chef Buddy 6-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set on Ring - Slotted spoon, pasta fork, ladle, strainer spoon, pasta fork, ladle, strainer spoon

Shopping Suggestions:
• Totally Bamboo 5-Piece Utensil Set
• Chef Buddy Kitchen Utensil Set on Ring
• Vollrath Company Mixing Bowl, 0.75 QT
• Tupperware Little Wonders Snack Cup Lunch Set

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Image: Lunchtime by Joshua Zamrycki (joshzam), on Flickr

Need a bib and left yours at home? Or the one you brought is covered in food, and you need another one?

You'll just need to make and keep this in your purse or diaper bag!

Take two 'suspender' clips and about 10 inches (25cm) of fabric elastic to make a bib for your baby, instantly, wherever you are.

Photo credit: joshzam, on Flickr
Some rights reserved

Image: Take two suspender clips and about 10 inches (25cm) of fabric elastic to make a bib for your baby, instantly, wherever you are.

How to Make: Just fold each end of the elastic around the loop of one of the 'suspender' clips and stitch.

Now you can use this handy gadget to clip a washcloth (or two, for heavy droolers!) cloth diaper, or hand-towel around baby's neck

Image: store it in your purse or diaper bag for on-the-go, and use it with the restaurant's cloth or paper napkins.

Or store it in your purse or diaper bag for 'on-the-go', and use it with the restaurant's cloth or paper napkins.

Other Uses: With a shorter piece of elastic and two more clips, you can make 'mitten clips' (attach one end to mitten, other end to sleeve).

Or even 'shoe clips' for those little ones that like to kick off their shoes! (Fasten one end at back of shoe, the other end to pant leg.)

Or fasten to snow pant cuff, wrapping under sock foot, to opposite side of snow pant cuff - to keep snow pants from riding up!

Thanks to Linda for these Frugal Baby Tips!

Image: Dritz Mitten/Suspender Clips 2/Pkg-Gilt - For making suspenders and mittens clip to garments - 2/pkg

Image: Dritz 9517W Knit Elastic, White, 3/4-Inch

Shopping Suggestions:
• Dritz Mitten/Suspender Clips
• Dritz 9517W Knit Elastic
• CTM Little Kittens Mitten / Gloves Clips for Little Hands
• Baby Buddy Bib Clip

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Rub some waxed paper over the metal runners of your baby's high-chair tray a few times, and the tray will slide on and off much easier.

Rub the metal runners on your baby's crib with wax paper as well, and you will be able to raise and lower the crib sides noiselessly.

Rub zippers on baby's clothing with wax paper for easier zipping.

Thanks to Charlene for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: dolanh, on Flickr
Some rights reserved

Image: Waxtex Wax Paper Roll - Wrap sandwiches, desserts, popcorn balls and caramels

Image: Simms Max Wax - Water-resistant lubricant. Great on snaps and zippers on awnings, straps

Shopping Suggestions:
• Waxtex Wax Paper Roll
• Shurhold Snap-Stick Tube
• McNett Zip Tech Semi-Solid Zipper Lubricant
• Star brite Snap and Zipper Lubricant with PTEF

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa

Image: I have tons of cool sand toys :) by Manue@PrettyKiku, on Flickr

Recycle your 1 litre and 4 litre (quart and gallon) plastic bottles - into sand toys!

Clean them out well, and using a craft knife - cut your 4 litre (gallon) bottle all around about 15 cm (6") from the bottom.

Poke a couple of holes on opposite sides near the top - attach a short rope handle and you have your sand pail.

Photo credit: Manue@PrettyKiku, on Flickr
Some rights reserved

The remaining piece becomes your funnel.

You can cut another 4 litre (gallon) bottle about 5 cm (2") high and poke the bottom full of holes for a sieve.

Image: Cut the bottom off your 1 litre (quart) bottle. Then cut a long U-shaped scoop, sloping your cut up along the sides.

Cut the bottom off your 1 litre (quart) bottle. Then cut a long U-shaped scoop, sloping your cut up along the sides.

If your bottle comes with a handle, make sure the handle ends up on the top side of the scoop. This becomes your shovel.

The best part of these toys is - if they get left behind at the beach, you can always make another set!

Photo credit: Found on Pinterest, by picklebums.com
All rights reserved

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Tajima LC-360 Precision Craft Slide Lock Snap-Blade Knife with Grip-Rite Insulator (GRI) Grip - design for optimal comfort and sure-grip performance

Image: Chefs Quality Distilled White Vinegar - 1 jug, 1 gallon

Shopping Suggestions:
• Tajima Precision Craft Slide Lock Snap-Blade Knife
• Chef's Quality Distilled White Vinegar - 1 gallon jug
• Aztec Tool Sand Toy Set
• Aztec Bucket Sand Toy Set

Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!

More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: The latest free stuff, free books, shopping deals, discount coupons, and other ways to save money!

More blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
• Jamberry Nails - High-end nail art without the fuss of polish, or expensive salon visits!
• Oshawa Journal - A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa