Cutting Corners For New Moms?

[Melissa569]

Just looking for low-cost options to give my second cousin, who will have her first child soon. I tossed out a few ideas, but any others are welcome! I’ll pass them on to her. And I guess it wouldn't hurt to put this out for other women.

Details: I just got back from a baby shower. My second cousin on my mom’s side has maybe 6 more weeks to go before her FIRST baby arrives! I talked to her while we were standing outside, eating cake. She and her newlywed husband aren’t doing so good financially. She’s worried about the cost of diapers, baby food, clothes, formula, etc. Of course, those of us who came to the shower took care of the crib, the stroller, plenty of “first” clothes, pacifiers, bottles and lots of other supplies. But still, some of the supplies will eventually run out.

I’ve never had a baby, but I offered her a few suggestions I’ve heard of, that I think can save her a ton of money:

1-- Cloth diapers. A lot of “modern” mommies freak out at first, but really, its how people were raised for thousands of years. Plus, with washing machines, its no big deal now; just scrape the “bulk” of #2 messes in the toilet, and keep soiled diapers in a special bag for washing. One size fits all, they can be adjusted for any size baby, and kept for future babies. You can get plastic liners for them too. No problem in public, just bring spares, and keep the soiled ones in a water proof pouch till you get home. Just toss the diaper in the machine and they come out clean and ready for the next use. You can even make them pretty easy, with a machine (I do a lot of sewing, because I design 18th century gowns, I‘d be willing to contribute)!

2-- Cloth bra pads for “milk leaks”. Same deal as cloth diapers, just wash them and re-use.

3-- The “Dollar Store” is your best friend! They sell bottles, clothes, rash ointment, pacifiers, baby powder (you can also use corn starch), baby soap and oil, toys, sippy cups, baby spoons, bibs, baby dishes, blankets, baby food, you name it!

4-- Make your own baby food. I have a “magic bullet blender”, and I use it all the time. It can puree fairly easily, and its small, so its easy to use at a moment’s notice. Think I’ll give her one.

5-- Breast feed to save on formula as long/much as you can.

Anybody else tried these things? Any tips on managing them? Or just other tips I didn’t think of? So far, I think those tips could probably save her thousand’s over the first 2 years of the child’s life. But hey, every little bit helps. In fact, its giving ME ideas now, if I ever have a baby, lol.

[mightynancy]

All of those are great ideas.

I also recommend thrift shopping and resale stores. Babies grow so fast that you can find a lot of nearly-new baby and toddler clothing in thrift shops. Same for mom, who may be out of maternity wear but not quite back to pre-pregnancy clothing...she can find inexpensive things to fill the gaps.

Take the time to check recalls when you get 2nd hand toys, but they are also a bargain (not that a newborn needs any).

You can take outgrown things to a resale shop to earn credit for new-to-you items.

[Wingnut]

If you really don't want to go the cloth diaper route, Target's "Up" brand of diapers is the best you can get. It's a little of half the price of brand name diapers. The diapers have cute polka dots on them instead of obnoxious cartoon characters. They don't leak, and they're softer than most disposable diapers. My Target was out of them in my daughter's size for a few weeks, so I got a package of Huggies to tide us over. They're stiff and dry (like skin-drying), and they leak like crazy.

Another suggestion is to buy clothing -- shoes especially second-hand or borrow when you can. They grow out of shoes so quickly, and even at places like Target they still cost $10 new.

[hordak]

WIC. (If she really needs it). We only used it for the first year for our children (even though they qualify until 5) because soy formula was like $15 a can. But was always disappointed picking up the checks waiting in line behind the guy with new air force ones and 10 lbs of "bling" around his neck:mad:

They cover formula for the first year, and i think it varies by state, but generally cover jar food by the time they are ready now. We never had to pay for food the first year. After that they cover stuff like bread milk, peanut butter, beans etc. until the child is 5, if she qualifies.

Going to have to disagree with wingnut on the diaper thing. I found you get what you pay for when it comes to diapers and the saving aren't really there when when you take into account the extra amount of changes and washes from generic diapers. Pampers FTW.

Plus there is a lot of baby stuff you don't need they we grew up without, like car seats

but seriously i have so much extra junk my kids never used, my daughter bouncy seat and swing got used probably 2 -3 times max before we donated them to good will and a lot of stuff she will not need for a while, cups,spoons, dishes etc. and can buy slowly

[Tarnished]

I second the thrift store idea, as well as things like Craig's list. You can find people willing to resale baby items that are almost new. Each time my siblings or me have had a baby on the way my grandmother has gone garage sale shopping, she is able to pick up a huge number of cute baby clothes that she sends as a present. But it works well for new moms as well. And often you can find clothes that have only been worn once, if that.

I have found swings, strollers, and many other high priced items for cheap at thrift stores, again remember to check recalls.

[Elgama]

All babies actually need, is to be warm, clean and fed and a car seat. I was on a very, very tight budget when my first arrived. You don't actually need a crib or a stroller, I carried mine in a cheap sling and she slept in bed next to us. There is a lot on your list because of my intial circumstances I know is unncecssary

Baby led weaning and a lot on your list for the dollar store can go, and you don't need a blender, mine have all eaten off our plates from the start, I weaned them with mashed potato, mashed banana and avacado, mashed carrot etc By 6.5 months all were eating finger food off our plate. And by 10-11 months they could drink out of glasses (I gave them to play with in the bath from tiny).

You can use cooking oil on bottoms:), powder isn't necessary, just clean and make sure they are properly dry afterwards. Babies don't need soap or shampoo, water is fine until they become really filthy toddlers.

CLOTH NAPPIES: Fleece liners are the best option unless your baby has an allergy they keep baby nice and dry, you can use cloth wipes, no need for nappy sacks just get a wetbag.

I know I got slated for this but you can get by with 3 changes of clothes for baby and child. One on, one in the wash and one to dry. I used to just whip it off and handwash quickly, it could go in the dryer. Babies don't mind going to sleep wrapped in a blanket in an emergency etc.

Do you have freecycle/freegle?

Edited August 17, 2010 by Elgama

[Hemidakota]

Just looking for low-cost options to give my second cousin, who will have her first child soon. I tossed out a few ideas, but any others are welcome! I’ll pass them on to her. And I guess it wouldn't hurt to put this out for other women.

Details: I just got back from a baby shower. My second cousin on my mom’s side has maybe 6 more weeks to go before her FIRST baby arrives! I talked to her while we were standing outside, eating cake. She and her newlywed husband aren’t doing so good financially. She’s worried about the cost of diapers, baby food, clothes, formula, etc. Of course, those of us who came to the shower took care of the crib, the stroller, plenty of “first” clothes, pacifiers, bottles and lots of other supplies. But still, some of the supplies will eventually run out.

I’ve never had a baby, but I offered her a few suggestions I’ve heard of, that I think can save her a ton of money:

1-- Cloth diapers. A lot of “modern” mommies freak out at first, but really, its how people were raised for thousands of years. Plus, with washing machines, its no big deal now; just scrape the “bulk” of #2 messes in the toilet, and keep soiled diapers in a special bag for washing. One size fits all, they can be adjusted for any size baby, and kept for future babies. You can get plastic liners for them too. No problem in public, just bring spares, and keep the soiled ones in a water proof pouch till you get home. Just toss the diaper in the machine and they come out clean and ready for the next use. You can even make them pretty easy, with a machine (I do a lot of sewing, because I design 18th century gowns, I‘d be willing to contribute)!

2-- Cloth bra pads for “milk leaks”. Same deal as cloth diapers, just wash them and re-use.

3-- The “Dollar Store” is your best friend! They sell bottles, clothes, rash ointment, pacifiers, baby powder (you can also use corn starch), baby soap and oil, toys, sippy cups, baby spoons, bibs, baby dishes, blankets, baby food, you name it!

4-- Make your own baby food. I have a “magic bullet blender”, and I use it all the time. It can puree fairly easily, and its small, so its easy to use at a moment’s notice. Think I’ll give her one.

5-- Breast feed to save on formula as long/much as you can.

Anybody else tried these things? Any tips on managing them? Or just other tips I didn’t think of? So far, I think those tips could probably save her thousand’s over the first 2 years of the child’s life. But hey, every little bit helps. In fact, its giving ME ideas now, if I ever have a baby, lol.

I totally agree with Nancy with recalls and the usage of the Dollar Tree or 99 cent store. These products are mostly made in third world nations where some do cut corner has we already have seen lately in the news. Just be careful...

[Gwen]

we've always bought diapers, formula (for the couple that would take it), wipes, etc from sam's. the cost of the membership was well worth it on the savings of other things.

i would suggest non name brand diapers over cloth. the amt of work alone is worth the money. lol may have to get smaller packages and play with the different brands that work with the baby (some of my kids got rashes with some brands and not others).

breast feed, formula is very expensive. go online to all the baby companies (gerber, huggies, pampers, etc) almost all of them have a free sign up for info etc. they will send you coupons for things and the formula companies will often send formula samples.

baby body wash/shampoo is the only thing i ever bought for an infant for toiletries. never used the lotion, powder, etc. in fact i read something about baby powder being bad for little girls. those things i say should be done on an individual basis. not all babies need all that stuff. you don't need the specialty laundry soap unless your baby has skin issues.

all i can think of off the top of my head. lol

[Wingnut]

Going to have to disagree with wingnut on the diaper thing. I found you get what you pay for when it comes to diapers and the saving aren't really there when when you take into account the extra amount of changes and washes from generic diapers. Pampers FTW.

That's your experience. Everyone I know who has tried this off-brand refuses to go back to a brand name, except for the baby's first month or so. Also, I have to change my daughter's diaper less frequently with this off-brand, and she doesn't have to have a bath every time she poops, unlike with some name brands that leak like crazy.

[Elgama]

i would suggest non name brand diapers over cloth. the amt of work alone is worth the money. lol may have to get smaller packages and play with the different brands that work with the baby (some of my kids got rashes with some brands and not others).

There is not much I disagree with Gwen on:) but I actually found once I had the hang of them cloth was actually less work, especially with breastfed baby poo, contains it better. The amount of saved at change time because of this more than accounted for the time to stick em in the washing machine. I decided with my third to use disposable coming out of hospital as we were also moving house. Yick that lasted all of 3 days.

[hordak]

That's your experience. Everyone I know who has tried this off-brand refuses to go back to a brand name, except for the baby's first month or so. Also, I have to change my daughter's diaper less frequently with this off-brand, and she doesn't have to have a bath every time she poops, unlike with some name brands that leak like crazy.

I'm sure it depends on the brand of knockoff too. Pampers> huggies > meijers, but target might > then huggies. Plus you got the different cuts within brands. E.G. Baby dry trumps cruisers.even for cruisers (based on my babies build)

I guess the best advice would be to try everything and see what works for you. And if it's cheap but works, go with it.

[Iggy]

1-- Cloth diapers. A lot of “modern” mommies freak out at first, but really, its how people were raised for thousands of years. Plus, with washing machines, its no big deal now; just scrape the “bulk” of #2 messes in the toilet, and keep soiled diapers in a special bag for washing.

Speaking from experience- put soiled diapers into a container half filled with water- boraxo/borateam mix. My aunt never did this and after one month her diapers were grey, heavy and no amount of dryer sheets/ fabric softener would take out the sour smell. Took me three washings to get them white, light and stink free.

Stale urine = ammoinia. Ammonia and feces poorly laundered out of 100% cotton makes them grey, heavy, and still stinky. If you can't stand to handle soaked diapers with your bare hands, put on kitchen rubber gloves. Wring out diapers and put into plastic basket, take to washer. Wash in HOT water with detergent and bleach. Go easy on the detergent, use about 1/2 of what the detergent manufacturer recommends. Remember the soap company wants you to buy LOTS of their product. Also only use 1/2 cup bleach added to about a cup of water. Add to washer after it has started to agitate. Rinse diapers twice. Left over soap and bleach is rough on tender skin.

Dump the soiled water down the toliet, NOT the bathtub, NOT the kitchen sink, and definately NOT in the washing machine.

When I was laundering diapers, during the summer and on dry, brisk windy winter days, I preferred to hang them out. Yes they were a bit stiff, but if you take them and rub them into themselves they soften up quite nicely. Fold and put away.

[Elgama]

Speaking from experience- put soiled diapers into a container half filled with water- boraxo/borateam mix. My aunt never did this and after one month her diapers were grey, heavy and no amount of dryer sheets/ fabric softener would take out the sour smell. Took me three washings to get them white, light and stink free.

.

Hanging them on the line does the same thing, finish them off in the dryer for 10 minutes, then you just need a few drops of lavender oil on a damp nappy in the bottom of the bucket. The fabric softener could have been the problem it affects the absorbancy and seals in smell,

[Guest Alana]

I've probably not spent more than $150 on kids clothes and I have a 6 year old boy, a 3 year old girl, a baby on the way (who has everything she needs already.) Flea markets and garage sales. When I'd go to a garage sale that had clothes that would fit my kids soon and they were asking a quarter a piece I'd make a deal with them for all the clothes. I bought my sons entire 4t wardrobe for about $20 all at one sale. If I ever have twins I'll still have enough clothes:P

I buy store brand baby shampoo (the giant bottle) it's about $3 and lasts about 6 months. One tube of desitin lasts a long time. I still have the same finger nail clippers from our first baby, they still work fine. Really, having a baby hasn't cost us much at all except for the fact that I wasn't working outside of the home. Wic is actually a great idea if you need it. Even if she's breastfeeding, she can get milk and veggies and juice (though the juice might have changed recently)

Babies are much more simple than most people think. They will like cheap pacifiers and bottles just as much as the expensive ones if that's what they're used to, they don't care if other babies have used the same blanket as long as it's clean. Home made baby food is really super simple and no big deal.

[mightynancy]

I guess the kicker for cloth vs. disposables is whether she has laundry machines in her home or close by. If you had to actually lug them to the car to wash at a laundromat, that would be a drag.

We used disposables, and name brand/off brand depended on my kids' stage of growth and which ones fit. My son wore Kirkland diapers from Costco until they stopped fitting well and chapped his legs...he just didn't fit their mold anymore.

[talisyn]

I agree about WIC, it is one of the best programs out there. Not only do they supplement formula and other baby food (not to mention nursing mom food) but they also have lactation specialists who can help if you need a little advice. It's there, you pay taxes to support it, might as well make use of it if you qualify