How to frugally prepare for our new baby?

**ScrapMama** · 11-20-2004, 09:53 PM

I am due with Baby #4 in May of 2005. I need to start getting ready with dh's help for our newest arrival. Do you ladies have any frugal advice?

~I plan to breatsfeed, so no formula needed.
~I want to do cloth diapers, but have no clue where to start, I need to start researching this.
~I will be purchasing our bassinet and some of the clothes from the consignment store, since the baby is due in May, I don't see myself needing a lot of warm clothes, we live in the Central Valley of Ca, so it's warm here by then.
~Don't need any baby toys, saved everything from my other 3 kiddos.
~I'm all stocked up on blankets, saved a lot from ds, and bought a few off of Ebay, when I find out the sex in 2 weeks, I'll make sure to pick up one or two that are more for whatever sex they are.
~Dh is going to be helping me start OAMC, so we are prepared when the baby gets here and won't find any excuses to go out and get fast food or takeout.
~I have been stocking up on TP, paper products, personal sanitation items, so that we are at least stocked up with a 6 month supply.
~I started buying Summer items off of Ebay for my other 3 children, so that I'm ready to go and won't have to do any shopping when the baby gets here.
~I will be making my own announcements
~I will buy bday gifts for my 2 kiddos who have bdays in Feb and April.

That's all I have right now, anything else?

**guest2** · 11-20-2004, 10:11 PM

It sounds like you have a great handle on things already! I used cloth diapers with our kids and learned quickly to always "doubled diaper" using 2 cloth diapers instead of just 1 to help soak things up well.

At night I would triple diaper because my boys were all heavy wetters. I can't remember how many diapers come in a package, but I know that we had 60 cloth diapers here. I did have 3 kids in diapers at the same time though. I just did a washload a day of them. I also used them for burp cloths.

Something else you might want to consider is getting some coloring or maze books for your other kids or a game they can all play together while the baby naps. Jaysn had his "special" coloring books that he could only color in when the twins napped longer than he did (he is 2 months older than they are). I also taped lots of episodes of Sesame Street, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and Barney for him to watch if I had been up all night with the twins. That way he could watch a show for 1/2 a hour while Mommy napped on the couch next to him.

**kimmee** · 11-20-2004, 10:39 PM

You've probably already thought of these things but I will put in my two cents - If you are breastfeeding do you plan to pump and have you prepared for how you will store the milk so Daddy can do some of the feedings ?? Sometimes you might be sick or busy and then someone else could help - also I did cloth diapers as well - back then they came twelve to the pack - Target had really nice soft ones - But I always kept disposables in the diaper bag and for baby to wear if we left the house because of the convenience of throwing a dirty one away - I did carry a plastic bag at first to put the used ones in but they are ripping through them every half hour to hour and they get pretty smelly. I always liked to throw mine straight into soak solution when I changed them anyway. I am assuming you kept your crib - but if not , KMart has a great deal with their layaway - if the price goes down while its on layaway you can get it at the new price - kind of like planning ahead for a ssale on something you will need!  From what it sounds like you are pretty much already a frugal Master!! Can't wait to here what the baby is! 

**mylittle4** · 11-20-2004, 11:13 PM

The world of cloth diapers has changed soooo much. Check out these links.
http://www.storksavers.com/
http://www.poshpunkins.com/ccp5/cgi-...?pg=cat&ref=CB
http://www.tushietoppers.com/
http://www.diaperdance.com/
http://www.kittybids.com/
I could go on for forever. I prefered an all in one diaper and so did dh. They are diaper and cover all in one and you just wash instead of throw away. These are more pricey than the old stand by but can still be economical especially with the multi size dipes. Have fun!

**ScrapMama** · 11-21-2004, 12:27 AM

Yes, we do still have our crib, so that's good. I plan on buying a pkg of the large pampers from Costco, but only for when we go out. I will check out those links, Angelee, thank you! I do plan to pump as well, so dh can give me a hand at night. So, I've been looking at an online resell place for breast pumps.

**ScrapMama** · 11-21-2004, 12:29 AM

Oh, and I've been buying the majority of my maternity clothes on ebay and bought a few pair of capri to get me through the warm weather when it hits in the Spring. It starts warming up hear about the end of March/early April, so I'll need lighter clothes. I lost 65 pounds before I became pregnant and got rid of all my bigger clothes. I am going to work on losing that weight again as soon as the baby is born, but I know I will need comfie clothes for during that time too.

**kimmee** · 11-21-2004, 12:37 AM

Do you sew?? The patterns and maternity accessories in the fabric stores are getting pretty cool now - lot more versatile to wear before and after delivery and such. And since you have the garment district right there (well in LA) you could scoop up great designer fabrics for next to nothing - I bought neoprene there for 99¢ a yard!!

**ScrapMama** · 11-21-2004, 02:24 AM

Sadly, I don't know how to sew, but I have a friend that does, I'm going to see if I can barter with her to have her make a few items for me.

**AmyBoz** · 11-21-2004, 09:47 AM

No suggestions...just a congratulations!!!

**PrairieRose** · 11-21-2004, 01:57 PM

I actually learned to sew while pregnant. My mom (an expert seamstress) took me shopping for material for clothes and baby accessories and then sorta "left me to my own devices" to make it up. It was a great lesson. You might wanna look for some simple things should you decide to give it a try. Sewing comes in handy when you have little ones. Anyway, it sounds like you have a great start on getting ready for the new addition. Congrats!

**kimmee** · 11-21-2004, 02:03 PM

Actually there are a lot of beginner patterns in nightgowns, robes, lounge wear and maternity . But sewing is something you either like to do or not cuz it takes alot of practice and it can be frustrating. How awesome to have a friend who might enjoy it. When I was a teenager I made all of my future SIL's maternity clothes and that was back in the 80's when everything was frilly and goofy looking. Now at least things are smooth and more tailored looking.

**forestdale** · 11-21-2004, 02:41 PM

What a gorgeous family you have already, congratulations on your new baby.

Do you make your own laundry liquid? If not, maybe now is the time to start. It's easy to do and you'll save big dollars. Here are two links, the first one also has a recipe for homemade baby wipes and instructions on how to fold a diaper.
http://pages.ivillage.com/ellenc_2000/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/449622/

I have modified the above recipes so that they don't require boiling or heating. PM me if you want the recipe.

You might want to use diaper liners. These can be expensive but if you can find a cloth liner, similar to a dish cloth, buy a pack of 12 or 20 and simply rewash them with the diapers.

Good luck!

**ScrapMama** · 11-21-2004, 11:35 PM

How many cloth diapers do I need to have to start out with?

**kimmee** · 11-22-2004, 12:30 AM

Well - you are going to be tired when you first get home (as I am sure you remember) and a new born typically rips through one an hour (sometimes two) this means 24 the first day !! You will be in charge of washing - when I started I bought enough for three days with some slop ( I got 100 to start). The hospital also sent us home with a big pack of disposables which was really nice. I didn't use the liners - they were pretty expensive, and I tried the all in ones - granted this was eight years ago and more - they didn't wash well - the insides shrunk and the outsides got mishapen. I went with the regular old plastic outer pants. For the bed I used the waterproof pads under the diapey bottom so I didn't have to change the whole bed everytime - but I ended up washing a dozen of those at a time too. It's way more economical and environmentally friendly to use cotton diapeys but it is a lot more work... just so you know.