Frugal Baby

Cloth Diapering 101

When my husband I were pregnant with our first baby I knew right from the start that we were going to use cloth diapers (much to my husband's surprise).  I did a TON of research and it really seemed (to me anyway) that they were the way to go.  I already knew that they great for the environment, but I found out they are also healthier for the baby wearing them as well as saving you a butt load of money (sorry, I had too).   Here is a great link to a website that answers a few frequently asked questions and dispels a lot of myths.  http://jilliansdrawers.com/newtocloth

Once we started using the diapers, my husband was 100% on board and preaching about them to our friends and family.  Once we were pregnant with baby #2 we already had our stash of diapers so we were good to go.

Here is a video that I made when I was pregnant with Addy (our #2) that gives the basic rundown on using cloth diapers.  There are a lot of options out there and the video only covers one but you'll get the idea.

 

 

Baby Wipe Solution

And yet another easy way to save money using items you already have in your home!  This is a wipe solution that I've been using for the last four years.  Believe me when I say the little butts in our house appreciate it! 

I've also made my own wipes by cutting up an old flannel sheet into squares.  I got pretty impatient by the end of my stack of squares that I didn't even sew up the edges.  They frayed a bit but they aren't falling apart and I'm still using them.

2 cups distilled water
1 tbs baby wash
1 tbs oil

You can adjust the ingredients based on your needs.  Because we use a concentrated wash, I use a bit less in our recipe.  You can use almost any oil out there but I am in love with olive oil and Burt's Bees apricot oil.

Booty Butter

Booty Butter is pretty easy to make and it's super effective! It's a nice alternative to products that have petroleum jelly and zinc ingredients. It's a great at preventing diaper rash and soothing sore nipples on nursing mamas. We also use it on areas of the skin that are prone to eczema.

1 teaspoon of lanolin
1/2 ounce of calendula oil
1 ounce of extra virgin olive oil
1/4 ounce of beeswax

Combine all ingredients together in either a Pyrex measuring cup or pan and place in a hot water bath. Once the wax is melted, remove the cup/pan from the hot water bath and stir. Pour the mixture into a jar and allow it to cool before capping.

Yields approximately 2 ounces.