My Frugal Baby Tips

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

I altered hi-rise briefs that were too big (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.

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 that 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 look 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!

Photo credit: potty training for baby, by The Wu's Photo Land on Flickr
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Image: Crazy baby on a plane, by madgerly on Flickr

Everyone else has given several good ideas, but I have a few to add.

I've flown twice with 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.

Flyebaby Airplane Baby Comfort System

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 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 diaper bag, baby, and sling through the airport.

Baby Travel Safety Vest

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 2 airplane trips!

Thanks to Rachel for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Crazy baby on a plane, by madgerly on Flickr
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Image: Bonison Reusable Eco-friendly Water Resistant Foldable Polyester Grocery Shopping Bag Over 20 Lbs Load Capacity Portable Tote with Handles and Inside Storage Pocket

One day I noticed that the paper gift bags were costing more than the cloth shopping bags that grocery stores are now offering!

Since then I have made the gift bag part of the gift.

I either fill up the cloth bag with my gift and add tissue paper, or buy some cellophane bags (3/$1 at the dollar store) to put the gift in first, then place it in the cloth shopping bag.

There are all kinds of cloth shopping bags available now, some even seasonal!

Since many stores have decided to start charging 5 cents each for their plastic bags, I think people will appreciate my reusable gift bags more and more.

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Baby's first diaper change. Photo Credit: Carin Araujo on FreeImages.com

Here's a great cloth diaper suggestion to fit your tiny newborn, or skinny baby!

Consider getting smaller wraps, and using night liners (or diaper doublers) inside to ensure a good fit around your baby's legs to prevent leakage.

Then you can buy larger diapers that will give your baby longer wear, skipping the size small.

Re-use the night liners again inside your diapers to double diaper when your baby wettings get heavier!

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo Credit: Baby's first diaper change, by Carin on FreeImages.com
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Image: All Together Diaper - Cloth Diaper Doublers - 2 interior layers of thirsty terry cloth and two outer layers of soft flannel

Image: Bummis Super Whisper Wrap Diaper Cover - Made from polyester with a PUL layer; Includes hook and loop closures

Diaper Doubler Suggestions:
• All Together Diaper - Cloth Diaper Doublers
• Kushies 10 Pack Washable Diaper Liners
• Dappi Diaper Doublers

Small Wraps Suggestions:
• Bummis Super Whisper Wrap Diaper Cover
• Thirsties Duo Wrap Snap
• Prorap Classic Diaper Covers

Image: Unhappy Baby, by Steve Clayton on freeimages.com

Coat your baby's bottom with a solid vegetable shortening - or coconut oil; it's a lot cheaper than brand name diaper creams and usually works just as well.

If baby's bottom is particularly sore, spread the shortening/coconut oil (or diaper cream) on the diaper instead of directly on baby's bottom.

Then fasten the diaper as usual, and the shortening (or diaper cream) will be applied painlessly.

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!
Thanks to Cyndi for the coconut oil tip!

Photo credit: Unhappy Baby, by Steve Clayton on freeimages.com
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Image: So windy! by thenamelessbear, on Flickr

There was a time in my childhood when we didn't have any toys - we moved so often.

We rarely took anything with us when we moved.

So I had to make up games and toys with what I had on hand.

If you are ever stuck anywhere with a child and need to entertain them, and there is space to run - here is an incredibly frugal and easy idea!

First Photo credit: So windy!, by thenamelessbear, on Flickr
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Take one plastic grocery bag with handles.

Tie a long length of string to one handle, and tell your child to hold onto the string, and RUN!!

TIP: if you don't have any string, just hang onto the bag handles. It won't fly as high, but little ones don't mind.

If you are out kite-flying with an older child, make one of these "kites" for your little ones.

Even a little one can handle this "kite"!

Thanks to Paul for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Second Photo credit: Liz Henry, on Flickr
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Image: Wellington Cordage #14299 300 feet Parcel Post Twine - made from natural soft fiber which handles easily and holds knots securely - made from natural soft fiber which handles easily and holds knots securely

Image: KO PACKAGING 100ct Black Plastic T-shirt Shopping Bags (6x4x15-13mic)

Shopping Suggestions:
• Wellington Cordage Parcel Post Twine
• Black Plastic Shopping Bags
• Kids' Paper Airplane Book
• Instant Paper Toys: To Pop, Spin, Whirl, and Fly

Image: Smiling at a fresh delivery of diaper wipes

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!

Photo credit: Smiling at a fresh delivery of diaper wipes, by jessicafm, on Flickr
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Image: Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong Facial Tissues, 6 Pack of 124-Count Family Boxes (Packaging May Vary) 2x stronger when wet vs the leading value tissue

Image: Tolco Flip Top Cylinder Bottle 4 oz. - Flip top spout, ideal for travel

Shopping Suggestions:
• Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong Facial Tissues
• Tolco Flip Top Cylinder Bottle
• Johnson Head-To-Toe Baby Wash
• Johnson's Baby Oil

Image: Jacob and his diaper pail by AmberStrocel, on Flickr

I find that deodorant disks don't work well at all after about a week...

I have two pails - a dry diaper pail for cloth diapers -- I don't put them in a solution - I soak them overnight in Bio Kleen Oxygen Bleach in the washer.

Then another pail for miscellaneous baby stuff - disposable diapers that I use occasionally, the odd disposable wipe when I run out of my homemade ones - but, I digress...

I can't remember who told me about it - but it really works -- I put in a Bounce dryer sheet - I cut them in half and put one in each pail.

They just end up being washed if they are in cloth pail - I suppose if I was a fanatic I could use it as poop catcher in diaper... or thrown out if in trash pail.

This was one tip that I found truly worked!!

Thanks to Lisa for this great Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Jacob and his diaper pail, by AmberStrocel, on Flickr
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Image: Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets, Outdoor Fresh Scent, 120-Count Box (Pack of 2) - Time-released fresh scent

Image: Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail - Deodorizer compartment with locking tabs

Shopping Suggestions:
• Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail
• Imse Vimse Citrus Circles Diaper Pail Deodorizing Disks
• Bio Kleen Oxygen Bleach
• Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets

Image: sweet dreams hunny bunny: Terlena dalam Susuan Mamin

I am a mom to 5 children, aged 5-19 and have used cloth diapers with all of them.

I also breast fed them all, and as a result needed good nursing pads.

With my last 2 babies, I found I had several cloth diapers that had seen much better days but I didn't want to use them for rags yet, plus I needed breast-pads.

Photo credit: sweet dreams hunny bunny, by ibu menyusui, on Flickr
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I cut out several nursing pads using a large glass to trace them in the middle of the prefold part of the diaper.

Image: Photo Credit: Nursing Pads by Ashley Barrett(monkeybunns), on Flickr

They ended up being about 5" circles. I didn't need to put several layers together since they were thick enough.

I simply zig-zagged around the edges, and voila! Great free nursing pads!

I still have them, and my little girls can use them for dolly pillows.

Thanks to Bev Qualheim for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Nursing Pads, by Ashley Barrett(monkeybunns), on Flickr
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