Diapering_: Bad Diaper Rash
Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

QUESTION: My BF little one seems to have diarrhea and a rash. She has
had 5 loose bowel movements so far today, and with the last one, she
had an awful redness all over her diaper area! I feel so awful for
her! She has eaten nothing out of the ordinary today... She is
recovering from an ear infection and yeast infection, but I've been
treating her for the yeast infection with acidophilus and Lotrimin,
but this redness is -all- over.

ANSWER: "Mom " says no juice of any kind. Breastmilk only till the
diarrhea clears. Maybe a little water, but no solid food. A lukewarm
bath after every bowel movement, no soap. Add baking soda or oatmeal
to the water.

Do not use wipes until the rash heals, just pour water over her
bottom. Or wipe v-e-r-y gently. Put a thick layer of unpetroleum
jelly (or regular jelly, if that's all you have) all over her bottom
at every diaper change. This will prevent urine and poop from
touching her skin.

If you are using a diaper cream on the rash, put the unpetroleum
jelly on over top of this. If baby is too sore to let you so this,
wipe it directly on the diaper. When baby sits the jelly will cover
her bottom as soon as she sits. If you don't have diaper cream, you
can use breastmilk on her bottom. It helps heal very nicely.

Of course, change frequently. Hope she is better soon!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Sewing_: Felting wool
Thanks to Steph for this Frugal Baby Tip!

1. The fiber content must be 100% "animal", with no man-made (acrylic,
etc.) or cellulose (cotton or rayon) fiber.

2. You must felt first, then cut into pieces. If you cut first, the
washing machine will probably fray the pieces into little bits!
However, once a piece of knitting is felted firmly, it doesn't ravel.

3. Easiest felting (much easier than by hand with a washboard!) is in
top-loading washing machine, HOT wash, COLD rinse, with water level
as low as you can get away with. Throw in a towel or two for friction
against the knitted items (makes it felt faster). May need to go
through a couple of times - keep an eye on it during wash cycle. A
friend of mine who has a neat front-loading washer can't get her
stuff to knit; it's too gentle on the fabric!

4. If possible, use soap (Ivory flakes, or shave off a bar of Ivory,
etc.), rather than laundry detergent. I've heard that washing soda (I
know Arm & Hammer makes one) also works - can't confirm.

5. Be very *careful* with different colors. A red sweater put in the
washer with a white sweater may turn the white sweater PINK. (Although
that could be a "look" you're going for!) But, some combinations can
get
quite muddy looking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diapering_: Wet Diaper Bag
Thanks to Rachel for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I use "stuff" bags from the camping section at Wal-Mart. They're $4.00,
they hold up to hot washes (but I line dry them), they don't leak, and
if they rip, they are easy to sew or replace. I've had great luck with
mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Washing_: Cutting Soap
Thanks to Myra for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Okay, my bar of "natural clear glycerin" soap from www.soapsaloon.com
arrived today. It's about the size of a SPAM. Anyway, it was very
easy to cut. I cut off a slice about 1/4-1/3 (from memory) inch thick
with an old kitchen knife I won't use for anything else. I chopped it
as best I could.

Divided that amount in half (half amounted to about 1-1 1/2 ounce).
Used it for a cold wash and used the other half for a hot wash. Used
vinegar and a clear rinse. My diapers came out wonderfully clean and
fresh-smelling and white. I looked at each diaper, and even though
some had tremendous amounts of bowel movement on them and I -knew-
some of them had old stains from a wash cycle with detergent a couple
of days ago, but all the dipes looked clean and white! Now maybe it
was just the light I was looking at them in (artificial), but they
all looked so clean!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom Clothing_: More Menstrual pads
Thanks to Myra for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I personally like internal protection, and long before I used cloth
diapers, I found The Keeper. It is a natural rubber cup. It holds one
ounce. You change it about as often as a tampon. It costs $35 at
http://www.keeper.com/ (the actual Keeper people who give you a 3
month trial period). It lasts 10+ years.

Like any other rubber product, don't use mineral oil or petroleum
jelly on this! if you have a yeast infection and are using yeast
medicine, don't use this while treating yourself! Like our other
happy rubber products (Umm, I didn't mean it that way!), this makes
wonderful embarassing rubber noises when you insert it and take it
out!

It can get messy, but I find that using 1 or 2 or 10 wipes when I'm
inserting and removing it helps. I feel a lot fresher and cleaner
using it than I ever did with tampons. I have also not used any
backup protection, no pantiliners, nothing! I love it!

There are many WAHMs who make pads, and I have heard many good
reactions to Valerie W's pads (You can find her at
http://www.madebymoms.com/ at Bottom Line at Necessities if that is
the right company.). I know Darla of Darla Diapers and Stuff makes
them. If they are anything like her diapers, they should be great
because her diaper looks wonderfully professionally made.

I can't believe they are made by simple human hands (and a machine)!
I think I am personally going to use Aunt Flo's made by Sandy of
Sandy's Attic. I am probably going to use the $4.50 pads (She has
many types for your budget and needs.). I like the fact that she uses
recycled materials. I like the way the $4.50 AF looks.

You can also use sea sponges (Catherine of Born to Love sells
these.). I don't know much about these except that you do have to
replace them after a few months.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom Clothing_: Menstrual pads
Thanks to Michele for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I started using diaper liners as pads, I just fold them in place. I
figured why spend money on something I already have and what if I don't
like using them? But, I do. Much more comfy than disposables and no
sticky tape to pinch! I have also been using Sea Sponges for a couple
of months and like them too, I haven't quite got the hang of them yet,
but I hope to figure it out within the next month or so.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Washing_: Vinegar
Thanks to Cynthia for this Frugal Baby Tip!

White vinegar is fine for washing/rinsing diapers - it will soften,
restore PH levels, remove residues, etc.

Red cider vinegar will kill yeast - so I understand this is helpful if
you baby has a yeast related rash, other than that, I don't believe
it's normally used for laundry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Washing_: Sunning Stains
Thanks to Angela for this Frugal Baby Tip!

QUESTION: Someone tell me about how effective the sun is at getting
stains out. Someone mentioned that they were hanging their stained
diapers out and the stain would be gone. Is that true? (I hope so.)

It is very effective (as many will tell you)! I have some diapers
that have
terrible stains that just seem to be here forever. But everytime I
wash
them I set them out in the sun and the stains are getting less and
less
everytime I set them out... So if it dosen't come out the first time
don't
despair, it'll get better everytime you let the sun do its magic.

Another thing that has worked for really bad, dark stains is a weak
solution of lemon juice, soak them, then put them out in the sun to
dry, then I usually
rewash what ever I use this treatment on... Basically I get the same
results
as plain sun, KWIM?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diapering_: Camping with Cloth
Thanks to Susie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

We just returned from a 4-day camping trip. Although I'm not sure you
could really call it camping, since we were in a motor home, complete
with bathroom, refrigerator and stove.

Kaylee used 32 dipes. I took with 40 dipes, and a huge garbage bag to
put them in. When I changed her, I put the dirty dipes in a scented
plastic garbage bag. Then every night I took that bag, and put it in
a larger regular plastic garbage bag.

I used a cut up t-shirt for diper liners. So the few poopie ones she
had I just took the liner and put it in a scented bag all by itself.
I did have a huge garbage bag of dirty dipes in the trunk on the way
home, but the scented bags did the trick-no smell.

Then I just put them in the washer right away, along with a cup of
vinegar, and let them soak for a few hours before washing as usual.

We're going again this weekend......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Washing_: Liquid Soap
Thanks to Jennifer for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Make your liquid soap:
Shave 1/2 bar of castile soap or glycerin soap to 2 gallon of distilled
water. Store in a Air tight also best to keep away from light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Sewing_: Pineapple?
Thanks to Laura for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Another good soap is the "glycerine" soap. This does not leave any
and I do mean any smell whatsoever on the clothes, it goes a long
way, but it's a bit expensive.

If you get the basic soap noodles, and add either some orange oil or
some peppermint oil, this will go a very long way to getting rid of
stains, and the orange smells divine. I don't get along with candy-
smelling diapers, which is why I personally prefer not to bother with
the peppermint, but I've heard some very good things about it.

I know somebody who always puts a thick slice of pineapple in with
the hot diaper wash too. She swears it gets rid of stains like you
wouldn't believe. dunno, never tried it, you see, the pineapple gets
eaten before it gets a chance to go in the washer!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Sewing_: Flannel Liners
Thanks to Cindi for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I have collected extremely soft flannel from various receiving
blankets, crib sheets, & women's nightgowns I found at yard
sales/resale shops. So Sunday afternoon I relaxed a bit and cut 4
dozen liners from the collected flannel. I traced a pattern from my
shaped diapers, and this worked well. The total cost was $4!! They
are so sooooooft and pretty!

I do not have a serger yet and only zig-zagged once around the edge
using a wide stitch so the edges do not curl. This worked up quickly
but am contemplating a 2nd zig-zag.......... hmmmmmmmm........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baby Wipes: Washcloths for Wipes
Thanks to Christine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I got a pack of 24 blue washcloths at Wal-Mart for $4.99 last year, and
I've been using them as wipes ever since. I used to use a solution, but
then I got lazy. Now I just keep the stack of clean dry washcloths near
the dipes, and grab one and wet it with plain water when it's diaper
change time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baby Wipes: My wipie recipe
Thanks to Jessie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Get a roll of good quality paper towels. Cheapies will fall apart. I
use Bounty white, the big roll.

Cut it in half with a bread knife or something serrated (hacksaw?).
Get a Rubbermaid #6 round container.

In the container, mix 2 cups hot water, 1 tablespoon baby bath, and
one tablespoon baby oil OR lotion. (Add a drop or two of melaleuca
(tea tree) oil and/or lavender oil if you want for a nice scent and
the antibacterial properties of the Melaleuca.)

Drop the half roll of paper towels into the solution cut side down.
Put on the lid and turn it upside down so it gets saturated (if you
used really hot water, steam buildup might pop the lid and make a
small wet mess for you).

When it's wet, pull out the cardboard tube, pull the wipes out from
the center and voila! You've got nice smelling, great working wipeys.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baby Wipes: Wipes Recipes
Thanks to Julie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

It's basically the recipe from the BabyLane, modified a bit. I put it
in a squirter bottle that they give you in postpartum (an epi-care
bottle, I think it's called?) This holds 8 oz, so my recipe is
designed to fit in that :

1 cup distilled water
couple squirts baby oil (2 tsp, I think)
2 drops Tea Tree oil
3-5 drops lavender oil
1/4 tsp peppermint Dr Bronners

I used to use lavender Dr. Bronners and keep it in a heater. While we
were on vacation I didn't have the heater, and used some peppermint.
Abby got the funniest look on her face, a happy look mind you. I
think she likes
the "refreshing" feel of the cool peppermint. I have also used Aloe
in it, but don't really notice a difference in her skin when I do use
it, so why put
out the expense?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baby Wipes: Homemade Wipes
Thanks to Julie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Oh yeah, I use home-made washable wipes, some flannel, some
flannel/terry.

Upstairs I just keep a stack of cheap washcloths from Sams (9.99/48)
I like them just as much as the fancier ones I made.

I do make a solution with lavender/tea tree oil/castille
soap/distilled water, but my daughter has extremly sensitive skin,
and plain water is to rough on her little bum.

The tea tree and lavender have made a huge difference in clearing up
a recurrent yeast infection too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Sewing_: I made a diaper!
Thanks to Paula for this Frugal Baby Tip!

OK, first I NEVER sew. My mom got me a sewing machine years ago and
the only one who uses it ever is our nanny. I haven't sewn since home-
ec about 23 years ago. No kidding.

Well, I took 2 old flannel receiving blankets and I traced a Plushie
diaper than we have cases of old diaper service diapers because my
husband buys the ones that are too ratty for the diaper service to
use anymore for his work.

So I cut the shape out of two layers of flannel and one diaper and I
layed them all together and stiched a regular stitch around it,
trimmed it then stiched a utility stich around the edge. It is so
cute!!

I used a print flannel on one side and a solid on the other. I am
going to put it on her as soon as she wakes up and see how it works.
I think I might ask my nanny if she could help me put elastic along
the legs.
Paula (so excited, should I wake Koral up?)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Washing_: Making Soap
Thanks to Cathy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Here is the recipe that I posted a while ago:

You take 1 bar of Ivory soap and dissolve it in a stock pot of hot
water boiling on the stove until dissolved. (I usually take a mallet
and pound the bar flat in a Ziploc. It takes MUCH less time to boil
it down).

After it is dissolved you pour it in a 3-5 gallon container and add
very hot water to bring it an inch from the top. You then pour 1 cup
(1 1/2 cups for a 5 gallon container) of Arm & Hammer Washing soda
(looks like the baking soda box, but it is in the detergent isle and
the same size as a detergent box) and stir until dissolved.

If you need it right away you can use it. Once it cools, it has the
feel and
appearance of Jello. You use 1 1/2 cups for diapers, and 1 cup for
clothing.

Since we're on the subject, my best regimen for stain free diapers
is: machine rinse in cold water and then add my concoction detergent
and send through a hot/cold wash cycle. I have stain-free diapers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Sewing_: Terry Towelling
Thanks to Shelly for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I make some of my diapers too! Maybe one thing you could try is
using towel terry instead of woven terry... IMO it is more absorbant!
For nightime diapers that need to be really absorbant, I take a piece
of towel terry twice as large as the soaking pad area and about as
long.

I turn it inside out and stitch around the edges then attach it to
the front of the diaper by cutting the front fabric a little longer
and folding the diaper fabric over the narrow end of the terry pad
and stitch it down. I have a baby boy so I take this attached pad and
fold it in half over his wee wee giving an extra four layers of terry
where he needs it the most!

I also line my diapers with two layers of towel terry. I hope this
helps and I hope I wasn't being to confusing but it is hard to
describe using words!

BTW, since the partially attached terry liner isn't 'inside' the
diaper, it dries really quickly! I love them! I also add elastic
around the legs and at the back waistband to help contain everything.
I didn't use the BBD pattern, I just made my own pattern (It has been
slowly evolving!) starting out with a disposeable diaper that I
traced on newspaper then adjusted it to my liking.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diapering_: Diapering on the Cheap
Thanks to Myra for this Frugal Baby Tip!

If you wanted to do this really cheaply, then you could get some
Gerber DSQs that you'd find at Babies R Us, unfortunately, these are
only 4x6x4 (I believe) and not 4x8x4 which might be better suited for
a toddler, but then again, some ladies have been having great sales,
so you might find some toddler prefolds at a good price.

Then you can get Dappi pull-on pants (I bought some to tide me over,
and I'm pretty surprised to find that I like them!). At $3.99 a pair,
they are a great price. I wash them by hand, then air-fluff in the
dryer and they are ready to go.

Of course, you'd have to use pins to secure your diaper. Or you could
buy some Angels which are only I believe $4 a wrap (These are at Born
To Love.) which don't require pins.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diapering_: Diaper Folding
Thanks to Angela for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Here's the grand list of links on diaper folding:
http://www.borntolove.com/folding.html

The way I do it is basically:
http://www.dy-dee.com/html/in_diaper_covers.html with a couple
variations.

In step 2, I usually tuck one side *inside* the other, since this
holds the fold better when I'm baby wrestling :)

At step 3 is usually where I tuck the diaper under the baby and pin
it on, but if your not pinning the rest of the insturctions would
work fine.

Another variation I don't see often is for those annoying poop blow
outs (at the back)... when we had them I would fold about 1/2"
towards the inside at the back...this helped greatly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Washing_: Olive Oil
Thanks to Hannah for this Frugal Baby Tip!

With all the discussion on Castille Soap recently, someone mentioned
that it is basically Olive Oil and something else (can't remember).

Well, this got me thinking. As far as I know Castille Soap is not
available over here. So I though, what if I just add a small amount
of oil with my normal wash. So I tried it.

I didn't have any olive oil in the cupboard so I used Pure Sunflower
Oil. 3oz put in at the start of the wash in a Downy ball with my
usual washing powder plus a tablet of Calgon as we have very hard
water.

The result? Amazingly soft nappies!!! Not one trace of greasyness. No
odour apart from the fragrance of the washing powder, just *very*
soft fluffy nappies.

So I am very pleased with myself - at last I have the perfect washing
solution. I suppose the oil must condition the fibres. I just hope it
won't affect absorbancy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miscellaneous_: Potty Training
Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

My boys all trained in their own time, without much of my help.
Bladder control came first, bowel control within the week. They were
all trained from cloth diapers, and never had an accident - day or
night - once they were trained. They all trained within a few days of
their decision to do so, and closed the bathroom door on my help once
they were trained.

My part of the job was letting them observe toilet use, teaching them
to put on and take off their own clothing, to be independent and
capable. I wasn't totally comfortable with how long they took - but
pleased that it worked so well once they were ready!

Jason trained at 27 mths. I got the book - Toilet Training in Less
Than a Day - when he was 18 mths - and worked really hard at it, but
Jason wasn't ready yet.

Michael was 33 months. I tried much harder to be patient with him,
but when I wanted to put the boys into a summer program together -
there was a hitch. They would not take any children in diapers. So I
sat Michael down and explained that if he wanted to go to the program
with his brother, he would have to start using the potty. This was
early May, I believe, and the program began in July. I wanted to give
him lots of time. He was trained 3 days later!

Josh refused to even discuss the idea of potty training. He would
change the subject if it was brought up - and leave the room if we
persisted. Yes, he liked wet diapers. Yes, he liked poopy diapers.
No, he would NOT let me change him. No, he did NOT want to be a big
boy!

Finally - at 4y 5mths. he decided he was ready! Suddenly we were
running to the toilet (no potty for him!) while I was in the middle
of laying out a catalogue, running myself - against a deadline!

In just a few days - just like his brothers - Josh closed the
bathroom door and he was trained.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Washing_: Disinfecting diapers
Thanks to Katherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Grapefruit Seed Extract: What is It?
http://www.nutriteam.com/gsewhat.html

Scroll down to "Hospitals use GSE" and you'll find this:
"Grapefruit Seed Extract is becoming the disinfectant and sanitizing
agent of choice for many hospitals and clinics throughout the United
States. In the laundry, GSE ensures that the linen is fungi and
bacteria free. As little as 10 - 15 drops of GSE added to the final
rinse does the trick."

In case anyone's concerned about disinfection on a regular basis, or
during a bout of rotovirus...other illness, etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diapering_: Terry/Flannel
Thanks to Cynthia for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Paula says: Don't laugh but I just got a Terry/Flannel diaper and I
don't know which side goes in and which goes out. I put the flannel
next to her skin but my husband says the terry is more absorbent and
it should go on the inside.

It's not silly to ask at all. The theory is that the flannel goes
next to the skin as it absorbs faster than terry, therefore your
baby's skin will be drier as the wetness will go right through the
flannel to the very absorbant terry.

However, the idea that Laura shared with us months ago about the
terry "grabbing" onto poop better is an excellent suggestion for
babies with loose stools, like newborns. I guess it's one of those
things as it depends on what's more important, soft flannel which is
drier against the skin, or containing monster poop blow-outs...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miscellaneous_: Baby Travelling
Thanks to Rachel for this Frugal Baby Tip!

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.

Check as much as you can. If you get a seat for the kiddo, he/she
gets 2 bags as well. But be sure to save at least 1 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.

Listen to my 1 word of advice - I don't care how addicted you are to
your computer - do not try to carry baby, laptop bag, & diaper bag
alone! It really isn't worth it - it gets bulky and heavy and
cumbersome. but if you have a helper travelling 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 travelling!

Rachel - who successfully cloth diapered through 2 airplane trips!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miscellaneous_: More Travelling with Baby
Thanks to Myra for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I should write a book because we have flown over 10 times (I guess
that would be 20 actual plane trips.) with Emily, and she is 20
months old. I actually think we've done more than 10... but not more
than 20.

Anyway, the sling is a wonderful thing to use to pack your babe about
when you've got your arms full of bags and tickets. I would
definitely leave the stroller at home unless you have a huge Forever
(We call our big bags Forever bags because you can stuff and stuff
and still have room to put more in.) bag that will hold the car seat,
diapers, dirty clothes, and the stroller.

Since I mentioned the Forever bag, if you are planning on having your
babe be a lap child, get a big car seat bag to hold your car seat and
it will probably have room in it for diapers, wipes, dirty clothes,
dirty diapers, toys that are too big for your suitcase.

I usually pack my things and my dd's things in one suitcase, then I
carry a diaper bag (now I use a backpack) of a couple of diapers,
wipes, snacks, toys, books, then the sling, of course. I usually try
to wear some nursing-friendly clothes because she has to nurse on the
plane and usually falls asleep (Heaven!). Bring lots of water
(bottled) because who knows how long you'll be stranded where and
kids get thirsty, you know! ;)

I wish I had some tips on cloth diapering on the go, but if the
flight is short, then take a ziploc bag (big) with you and some type
of bag to store dirty dipes in when you are at your destination and
wash them there, not sure how to bring dirty diapers home.. can't
imagine how a trash bag would keep all odors out, you know?

I wish I had bought more toys, but with all the flights we go on,
that would be lots and lots of money!

Be sure to bring your baby shampoo and wash/soap. Be sure to bring a
plastic cup (if you use one to pour water on your babe) to pour water
on him in his bath because hotel ones are so small!

If your babe listens to music before nighty-night, bring a tape
player or CD player with speakers for him to listen to (We did when
my daughter slept away from us, now we bring her to bed, nurse and
drift off to sleep... well, usually anyway. I can dream, right?!).

That's all I can think of for now!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miscellaneous_: Travelling with Baby
Thanks to Kasandra for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I can honestly say that flying solo with a toddler is one of my
specialties. With the diapers, I would suggest sticking with cloth if
it is a short flight AND you have the means to wash them while on
your trip. However, if this is a very long flight, you may want to
use Tushies Gel Free disposables (or if washing them while away is
difficult).

Also, when I flew with my son at that age (he is 22 months now) I
left the stroller (big pain as a carry on) and just carried him and
his car seat (he had his own seat on the plane) and a backpack style
diaper bag. I checked everything else. If you have a sling then I
would HIGHLY recommend going that route since back carriers are
usually more bulky.

Also, a backpack style diaper bag is also very useful on flying
trips. Oh yes, and one more thing I found very effective in keeping
Sean well behaved was this: I went to Toys R Us prior and bought him
about $20-$30 worth of small toys (that travel well) and kept them
stashed away until the flight (when he saw them he was thrilled and
forgot that he was stuck in a car seat for three hours).

I also brought him some special snacks that he usually doesn't get at
home for the flight. This is a crucial point because kids act up
really bad when they are bored (mine does anyway). It works because I
usually get comments from other passengers on how well behaved he is
(and believe me when I say that he is a very spirited child... to put
it in the kindest terms possible [I love him the way he is, of
course]). Good luck!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diapering_: Wet Diaper Check
Thanks to Rachel for this Frugal Baby Tip!

If you are breastfeeding in the early days it is important to check
wet diaper numbers. That can be tricky with disposables. If you place
a liner of flannel in between baby and diaper, it would be easier to
check for # of wet dipes.

Just get some cheap flannel (Wal Mart always has it for a couple of
dollars a yard) and cut out some liners to stick in the disposables.
You don't even need to sew them, just use one with each diaper change
and toss them out with the diapers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diaper Sewing_: Thrift Store Wool Soaker
Thanks to Sue Ellen for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I just wanted to share with you gals what I made for my daughter for
her birthday. I bought the Snap Happy Diaper Cover pattern ages ago
and made a couple of covers out of it. I didn't like it because the
cotton bias tape binding wicked something awful. The pattern got
tucked away until I tried my first wool Nikky and thus came
the "idea."

I went to the thrift store and picked up a really cute 100% wool
skirt in a nice neutral plaid for a couple of dollars. I used the
pattern and cut two layers of the wool skirt. Instead of putting a
binding, I just zigzagged around the whole thing sandwiching the
elastic inside. I added snaps on one cover and Velcro on the other
and she had two really cute covers for an unbelievable price!!
Walmart had super wide Velcro and we used that for the Velcro cover.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure you could make the Alexis snap
style or pull on style pants from the skirt as well. I would either
take apart an old pair or trace around one for a pattern.

Happy sewing ... I know that I'm going back to the thrift store
REALLY soon!!

Happily addicted to wool!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRUGAL BABY TIPS
Taking care of baby (and mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a
whole lot of money! Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing,
safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual
needs, traveling with kids and more! If you have Frugal Baby Tips to
share, we want to hear them!
http://frugalbabytips.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~