My Frugal Baby Tips

Photo credit: Uh Oh!, by Katrina B

I know this is going to sound absurd - but it really works!

Homemade Diaper Cream

Mix Crisco shortening with corn starch (or even better: Johnson's Baby Powder Pure Cornstarch) to make a paste and apply liberally to baby's bottom.

Image: Crisco All Vegetable Shortening-16 OZ

Crisco shortening

Johnson's Baby
Powder Pure Cornstarch

The shortening provides a barrier to wetness and the cornstarch absorbs any leftover wetness.

Since there are no artificial fragrances or preservatives it is hypo-allergenic as well.

I know it works for my little princess and for the amount of money you would spend on a manufactured diaper cream you can make a whole tub of this!

Thanks to Mrs. Holdridge for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Potty, by Blake Facey

I invented a cheap disposable training pant for travel.

I bought my son some cotton Thomas the Train underpants and put inside an extra large overnight feminine hygiene maxi pad.

Image: Thomas the Train Toddler Boys' Briefs | Made of 100% combed cotton

My son loves them because he is wearing big boy underpants.

Of course, I don't think they would work for beginning potty training, but they are a good transition to underpants.

For a little girl you could buy some Disney Princess panties!

Thanks to Victoria DalPozzo for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo Credit: My baby's first diaper change, by Carin Araujo

QUESTION: My almost 8-month-old daughter is getting pure he** to put a diaper on. Suggestions??

Tereson said: I lay my son on the ground and lightly put one leg across his belly so that his hands are at the top. I change the diaper and let him go.

Rachel said: First thing - I don't always put on a cover. If we will be home around the house, it isn't worth the battle for me. We have special toys for outings - grocery store bag of toys, etc. or a cookie (AKA rice cake to the normal people) that will distract her. Also, you might consider a couple AIOs for outings.

Karen said: She will get better about diapering in a few weeks or months... But until then, you could probably get an all-in-one diaper on her, even in public. You can even get AIOs on reasonably easily while she is standing, holding onto something because there is nothing to slip around.

Image; Snuggwugg Infant Toddler Wiggle Free Diaper Changing | Interactive Tummy Time Pillow | Great for Travel and Baby Support

Snuggwugg Diaper Change Pillow

Tonya said: My son does this to me! Often, the only thing that works is to lay him down on the floor, put my ankles over his arms and change him as fast as I can! I try to save my Velcro diapers or AIO for outings.

Shannon said: I can sympathize!!! Right now I am able to distract Gavin with a prefold tossed on his face. With my older children, I have also done the holding of arms by my ankles.

Joyce said: I have also tried singing with some success even though I can't carry a tune!

Ann said: Have you tried tape? A 5-inch length of Scotch or masking tape kept my son very occupied. Also, try giving the babe an extra diaper for a game of peek-a-boo.

Rachel said: The final advice is to have a kazoo. Mackenzie used to blow hers at every diaper change. And we'd sing a song (Little Rabbit Foo Foo, Old Macdonald, 5 Green Speckled Frogs) during the change. I have to say, though, that the best distraction was when our bird landed on my head!

Thanks to all for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Little Girl May Basket, by SewWithJan from Flickr

Photo credit: Little Girl May Basket, by SewWithJan

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!

Image: Simple Joys by Carter's Baby 7-Pack Flannel Receiving Blankets | ideal for swaddling, burping, or cuddling

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

Image: The tables are turned, by McBeth, on Flickr

Photo credit: The Tables Are Turned, by McBeth

I have a great recipe for wipe solution.

I cut my own reusable baby wipes out of fleece fabric.

No sewing needed!

This recipe makes a good mommy wipe solution as well.

Image: Burt's Bees Baby Bee Apricot Nourishing Baby Oil | Apricot oil is infused with grape seed, olive and avocado oils | creates a rich, natural treat for precious skin | added vitamin E and lanolin to help keep baby's skin fresh, soft and smooth

Burt's Bees Apricot Baby Oil

Diaper Wipes Ingredients:

• 2 TBSP Baby Bee's Apricot Oil
• 2 TBSP Baby Wash
• 1 tsp vinegar (to cut the yeasties) per 8 oz of distilled water

Thanks to Melanie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Dad's First Diaper Change, by Christi on Flickr

Photo credit: Dad's First Diaper Change, by Christin

We use Huggies disposable wipes because they can be washed with the diapers enumerable times.

I lost count and when one finally gets threadbare (20 washings?), I use it as the pooper scooper.

When I have finally rinsed the poopy diaper, I rinse off the poopy wipe in the rinse bucket and say farewell.

Image: Huggies Simply Clean Fragrance Free Baby Wipes Refill, 600 Count

Huggies Fragrance Free Baby Wipes

It is so ironic something intended to be used one time can be washed 20 or more times.

Other brands don't go as long 2-3 maybe 5 washes and they are very linty but not the Huggies wipes.

Image: Prince Lionheart Warmies Reusable Cloth Wipes | Using reusable wipes for your baby keeps tons of trash out of landfills annually | making Warmies the environmentally conscious decision

Prince Lionheart Cloth Wipes

To think I spent hours making little cloth wipes out of an old flannel sheet 12 months ago, and have yet to use them for a baby's bottom.

We use them as napkins at mealtime instead.

-- Stay-at-home dad, Mike Micklich

Thanks to Mike Micklich for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Disana 100% Boiled Merino Wool Diaper/Cover Made in Germany

Disana Merino Wool Diaper

Delirose asked: Is there a free pattern for making a recycled wool wrap?

I would love to make a few of these for the new baby and would prefer a ready-made pattern/directions instead of having to figure it out all on my own.

Any links to suggest?

Amberlina: Try the The Sewing Dork pattern. She tells you how to do different steps so you can take what you need from it, and it is really easy to understand.

Wheezy: There's a free Upcycled Wool Wrap. It will work well with recycled wool sweaters.

Mamatomax: Here ya go: How To Sew a Wool Wrap

More Patterns:

♥ Sew a Wool Diaper Cover

♥ Wool Diaper Wrap

♥ My Favorite Everyday Wool Diaper Cover

Thanks to DeliRose for this Frugal Baby Tip!

IKEA Mula Stack and Nest Cups

Baby Stacking Toys
Save any empty plastic lids like shaving foam and hair spray lids.

Wash well, and give to a baby who can sit up well.

Baby can practice stacking up, nesting inside each other, and banging together to make noise.

Baby Play Mats
Using a small blanket as your base, sew on brightly colored fabric pieces in different textures and sizes to create a play mat.

Attach short ribbon loops to the corners, and you could attach a teething toy or rattle or two for extra fun.

Image: Taggies Sherbet Lamb Lovey Toy | Adorned with interactive and soothing tags babies love to explore

Taggies Lamb Lovey Toy

Baby Sock Balls
Simply roll a clean pair of socks into itself so baby can practice gripping and throwing.

Stuff with crinkly paper to make a great sound!

Baby Lid Chains
Start saving plastic lids from milk bottle tops, soft drink bottles, etc.

Look for different colored lids.

Punch a small hole into the top of each with a nail, thread onto a length of cord, or ribbon to create a chain of lids with a rattle.

Thanks to Sharon for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Strings
-- Make sure any strings or ribbons are not long enough to get wrapped around baby and cut off baby's circulation. Also make sure they are firmly attached to the toy.

Supervision of babies with toys
-- Did we mention babies put everything in their mouths? It's important to remember any homemade toy can potentially cause choking – no matter how well you've made it. If anyone can pull it apart, your baby can! Keep an eye on baby at all times.

More: 17 Homemade Sensory Development Toys For Babies

Jose messing around with some ice cream, by EDu Dougall

When my eldest son was a baby, the weather got scorchingly hot, and my son decided he would go between refusing to nurse, to wanting to nurse every 30-45 minutes.

Out of desperation I had pumped off milk, and thrown it into the freezer.

The rest of us were all eating ice and slushies, and ice cream (and such frozen treats), my son was looking longingly at these frozen treats.

So I pulled some of the frozen breast milk out of the freezer, put it through my ice shaver, and Viola!

A frozen treat for my son.

He ate it up quite happily, practically living on it for the rest of the hot spell.

When I mentioned this to my pediatrician, he thought I was quite bright for trying it.

Thanks to Shelley for this Frugal Baby Tip!