Shower Gift Idea - Frugal Baby Binder?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-03-2009, 12:10 AM

Hey all!

My SIL is having her first baby in September. Since we won't be there for the birth, I planned on giving her some gifts when we go up to Edmonton for Easter weekend. One of the gifts is going to be a binder full of lots of frugal baby ideas. I'm already giving her a ton of Dakota's baby clothes, so the binder will be full of everything from coupon suggestions (for diapers, wipes, etc) to the best place to buy everything the baby will possibly need.

If you have some killer frugal baby ideas, let me hear it! I'm putting the binder together next week and it'll be done by Thursday night, so I figured that a week will be pretty sufficient in time to hear all of your lovely ideas.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-04-2009, 12:30 PM

I had posted this in the baby shower part, but that hasn't been answered...

so here I am!

I'm making a binder for SIL/BIL and their new arrival in September. The binder is being made this weekend and throughout the week next week (before we head to Edmonton on Friday morning). I'm in search of every single frugal baby tip I can find. These are things that are really going to help them out, considering SIL has been on medical leave for a while and BIL works for DHL (a delivery service - kind of like UPS). It's everything from coupon ordering websites (for supplies) to laundry tips (counting the hypoallergenic ones) and ways to cut down on just about everything else.

I really really could use your help and on Friday morning, I'll be taking a picture of the binder and posting it here with all sorts of praises for everyone who contributed.

We're also buying Rubbermaid containers this weekend - one for the baby toys and the other for baby clothes that we have leftover from Dakota being born.

**peanut** · 04-05-2009, 11:58 AM

Cloth diaper sizes and how to make them out of flannel and fold them.

Directions for making your own baby wipes...or the suggestion to cut up an old towel, serge edges and use it for baby wipes!

The fact that borax and water make a good soak for dirty diapers and wipes.

Making their own baby food in the blender.

Breastfeeding is cheap and healthy. Plus she can express and freeze milk for later use.

**Siebrie** · 04-06-2009, 08:26 AM

You don't need fancy baby furniture: we use a nappy changing pillow on top of a chest of drawers for a commode, and we put an old cotton diaper on top to make sure dd is not lying on the cold plastic.

When I started feeding dd babyfood I used a normal ceramic bowl and an egg spoon. There's no need for a fancy baby plastic bowl and plate until she starts feeding herself. And then, does it have to be fancy or will the common product do?

I think my point is: do not buy things too far in advance, because you may not need them/may be given them/can borrow them, and do not spend money on 'fancy'.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-06-2009, 12:35 PM

BIL and SIL are pretty simple people and with two dogs, I'm sure that anything they get for the baby will be kept well out of reach of the dogs (these are the same dogs that ate Christmas candy once when SIL was here visiting and threw up all over the place).

Thanks so much so far for all of the replies!

**justpeachy92** · 04-06-2009, 12:49 PM

Recipes for homemade baby food. I loved the super baby food book when my kids were babies. It also had recipes for homemade housecleaners, things like playdo, and chemical free ways to treat the house and yard for various pests.
This website looks interesting for some babyfood recipes.

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

**justpeachy92** · 04-06-2009, 12:53 PM

this is the website for the book I mentioned above.

http://www.superbabyfood.com/book-outline.html

**MoonMommy** · 04-06-2009, 01:34 PM

don't buy baby sized towels and wash cloths. I got them as gifts and they outgrew them so quick.

Don't buy the baby any shoes until he/she is walking.

You could include a "how to" for crocheting or knitting a baby blanket.

Don't buy the whole fancy crib set for the baby's room. If you really want to get a crib skirt and bumber, you can often find them fairly cheap either used or at a discount store. I never used the comforter/quilt that came with the set I got as a gift for my son. When I had my Dd, I didn't even buy one. I went and got seperate items. Much cheaper.

I never bought those infant mits. We always just put a pair of socks over their hands to keep them from scratching themselves or to keep their hands warm. Rarely did the socks fall off.

If you find some great used baby clothes, you can always dye them if they are white to hide any stains. We have tie dyed onsies before. It was kind of fun actually.

**marjorie** · 04-06-2009, 07:49 PM

In lieu of fancy shower favors, at the shower for my neice they bought a bunch of onsies in graduated sizes with fabric - ok markers. People made their own "brand" names. Ex. Made in Brooklyn with famous Brooklyn landmarks under it. Ex: When I'm older I will dwarf you (nephew is 7').
I'd mention lots of websites like Freecycle and find out about other programs likely to have goodies for them.

**lilk** · 04-06-2009, 08:58 PM

I think it's you have a great idea, I'm sure your SIL/BIL will love your gift.
How about making a cook book with easy to prepare meals to make after the baby is home. I have a crock pot cook book called Fix It And Forget It, and I love it.
Tell them to sign up for free stuff from huggies, pampers, similac. I signed up about a week ago. I'm hoping to receive some free diapers and maybe some coupons.
I don't know if your SIL or BIL sew but there are a lot of free patterns on the internet for baby blankets, changing pads, cloth diapers, baby slings, and such. Just do a search sewing for baby, and you'll find tons of stuff. In fact, I just sewed up some nursing pads for myself today. I am expecting Sept. 22. When is your SIL expecting?
Don't forget to tell them to visit the Frugal Village!!!
As for coupons, there is couponmom.com and moneysavingmom.com
Make sure they to tell them to let friends and family know what they need, someone might have things they don't need anymore.
I hope this helps, and good luck getting everything together.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-07-2009, 04:07 PM

I think she's due around then too! She would love to have the baby right between DS5 and mine's bdays (DS5 is Sept 11 and mine is Sept 17).

All of these ideas are soooo fantastic. I'm eternally grateful to everyone that's contributed.

Keep them comin!

**geckoace** · 04-15-2009, 10:26 AM

im reading this too late! what did you end up including in your binder?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-16-2009, 05:09 PM

I ended up not having enough time to do it, but I am planning on sending it to her in the mail as we get closer to her due date.

It's so hectic around here and in the summer, I'll have a lot more time to compile a list of things for her.

**momof2joys** · 04-22-2009, 01:05 AM

I would give her a list of friends or other family members that have baby equipment that she can borrow, my best friend, sister, and I have shared a great deal of toys, bouncy seat, swings, and clothes between all of us. Let me tell you that those items have been paid for more than enough times!

I would talk to others about things they DIDN'T need...we didn't end up ever using the changing table that we bought at a garage sale, the couch, floor and bed work fine. I also didn't use my bassinet very long (my kids started sleeping through the night at about 2 months and were a little on the chubby side, so they didn't fit in the bassinet long..LOL!!)

I would put a list of good carseats and strollers, and other baby equipment, in case they haven't gotten some stuff!!

Always remember that the store brand is just as good as the name brand!!

**mom2bobsarah** · 04-22-2009, 03:01 PM

Tell her about places you think offer the best deals. For instance, my two oldest were breast-fed and occasionally supplemented with formula (for 15 months and 11 months), so I did not use much with them. But, for some reason my youngest just did not want to nurse and of course every formula I tried he would spit up on, except Enfamil Gentleease, which is just about the most expensive formula out there. Well, not long ago, Target started their generic version of this, they are the only ones that carry it and it is just about half the price of the Enfamil brand. So I share this tidbit about the generic formulas to all Moms I meet. Even if one is planning to BF she should always have formula on hand as a back-up, anything can happen and it is truly an inconvenience trying to run to the store if you do not have to. I would share the suggestion of putting "stinky" diapers in a grocery bag and throwing in the garbage can, rather than having a diaper pail. ALso, I have an over the door shoe holder on my baby's door. This is such a help, I put things that I need to have handy like a thermometor and vaseline in one, desitin in one, Q-tips, lotions, etc. you get the idea. Hope my rambling has helped.