Have you ever gone to a baby store recently? There are so many products available that it’s overwhelming! Many first time parents wonder how many items they really need. Of course, everyone knows that you need diapers, clothes, and, if you aren’t nursing your child, bottles. You’ll also need a crib and a car seat. But beyond that, what do you REALLY need?

I’ve raised quite a few babies: our 6th child is due in August. I’ve learned a lot over my parenting career, mostly from my mistakes. I’ve spent a lot of money I really didn’t have to spend on too many gizmos I thought I needed, and I’ve not spent enough money other items that I actually did need. Right now, I’m creating a must have list as we are beginning to shop for our impending arrival. Read on to see my list!

Health Care Items

Many stores sell health care packages. Everything is nicely contained in a cute container and it looks so appealing. Usually, the price tag is expensive, but it’s worth it. Right? Wrong. You are paying for a bunch of items that you will never use and that cute container. Buy the items separately as you need them, if you need them. Store them in an inexpensive container.

There are two exceptions to this rule: a bulb syringe and nail clippers are an absolute necessity. Look for the syringe that is easy to clean and that has a safety tip. When purchasing the nail clippers, but the kind with the built up handle. They are easier to use.

While you are making purchases, consider buying a cool mist vaporizer. When your little one is congested, a vaporizer is so helpful!

Medicines

When your little one is sick, you’ll want to be prepared. Keep some items on hand now for future use. Some medicines to have include: Gas Drops, infant Tylenol drops, and salt water nose drops.

Comfort Care

The transition from the comfort of the womb to the “real world” can be a real shock for babies. There are a bunch of comfort care products on the market which help to soothe a crying or fussy baby. These are the items I am purchasing for our new baby.

Baby swings are worth every single penny they cost. Most babies love to sit in the swing; for some of my children, a swing was the only thing that helped with their colicky times. When purchasing a swing, look for one that has both a battery and electric option. If you choose to purchase the swing that just runs on batteries, buy re-chargeable batteries and a battery charger. Otherwise, this product can be expensive. I truly haven’t found that the models with the music and sounds work any better than the “regular” model. Don’t worry about that so much! If you can, check to see that the swing has different positions for the seat. For younger infants, it is helpful to have a seat that can recline. Otherwise, a tiny infant will slump over in the seat. Models that have several speeds are also helpful.

A baby sling is so helpful! I have used one for all of my children and I’ve found that it really helps reduce their crying. It is also great for busy moms because you have both hands free to fold laundry or do the dishes. Slings have been used by generations of mothers to calm their crying infants because it works. Many slings are available nowadays in a variety of trendy fabrics. You can even order a few to match different outfits.

Swaddling is an ancient technique used by parents to calm their crying child. When your child is in the nursery at the hospital, you’ll notice that the nurses swaddle the infants in receiving blankets. I never have been able to master the swaddling technique, but I found that I can “cheat” and get the same great results! You can buy swaddling pouches which help swaddle your baby easily and quickly. Simply slide your infant into the pouch and wrap the pouch wings around them. The wings attach to the sides of the pouch with velcro.

Bedding Items

When my children first came home from the hospital, I put them to sleep in a bassinet which I kept near my bed. I found that my children tended to sleep better in a bassinet than in a large crib. When they outgrew the bassinet, I moved them to a crib. If you decide to get a bassinet, make sure to get a model that can rock! This is so helpful to calm a crying infant.

You can never have too many crib and bassinette sheet sets! You’ll need at least four sets of each to be safe. Another product to check out is crib sheet savers. The idea is that you lay your infant’s head on the sheet saver which is on top of the sheet. If your child spits up, you just need to change the sheet saver and not the entire sheet. You can even get different colors to match your nursery color scheme!

Making Memories

It is incredible how quickly children grow and change. I recommend purchasing a quality digital camera which you will use regularly to help you remember all the special times that will happen during your baby’s first year. Above all else, remember to think about storing your photos in a safe place! It is fine to save your photos on your computer, but it’s best to save another copy elsewhere. You could accidentally delete the photo file, or your computer could crash. You don’t want to risk losing those memories.

Important Accessories

While you are shopping, don’t forget “the small stuff”. Pacifiers are an example of a small, but important accessory. I like to purchase silicon pacifiers because they seem to last longer than the latex ones. I also try to purchase orthodontic pacifiers which are better for baby’s teeth than the “regular” kind of pacifier.

A Boppy pillow is an essential purchase. If you are nursing, you can use the Boppy pillow to help you position the baby for feedings. As the baby grows, you can use the Boppy as a support when your baby is learning to sit. Remember to purchase at least two covers for your Boppy pillow just in case baby spits up on it!

I also found that a diaper Genie was a great item to have. The diaper Genie system minimizes the smell that can be so common in a baby’s room. It’s an effective and simple way to dispose of your babies diapers until you are able to empty the diaper pail. Remember to purchase a refill kit for your system. Your baby will go through a LOT of diapers during his or her first few weeks!

You made it to the bottom of my list! That’s not so bad, is it? Remember, preparing for you’re the arrival of your baby doesn’t have to take a huge bite out of your budget! Start early on in your pregnancy and purchase small amounts of items regularly. Before you know it, your pregnancy will be over, and you’ll be bringing home your beautiful bundle of joy.

Author: Michelle Schaefer

Expectant parents walking through a baby furniture store are easily assaulted by the wide variety of nursery items available. Even if your plan was always to keep things simple and inexpensive it can sometimes be difficult to ignore the massive quantities of really cute things available. Just because you’re on a budget, however, does not mean that you can’t pull together a beautiful and clever nursery for your baby.

Here are some tips to follow when you want to save as much money as you can while decorating your baby’s room:

• Secondhand does not always translate to old and dusty. If you have never ventured into a consignment store or perused online auctions then you may not realize that just because something is “used” it doesn’t mean that it has been used all that much. Some items that wind up getting sold used were obtained as gifts and were actually never used, or were used a little but well-maintained.Don’t be scared to buy things secondhand! You can find some really great deals and will probably get a lot more for your money. Check local consignment stores as well as classified ads, online resources, and even garage sales.

• Coupons and sales are great. Some things you shouldn’t – or may not want to – buy secondhand, so for these instances it’s a good idea to wait to make your purchases until there is a sale or clearance. Watch the ads and check online to find out when the best sales are for stores offering nursery decorations. Keep in mind that you don’t have to buy all the decorations for your baby’s room at stores that are specific to baby stuff. Any store that offers decorative items will probably have suitable items for purchase.Join the mailing lists for the stores you like and you’ll start receiving coupons via e-mail or regular mail as well as being notified of sales and clearances.

• Don’t get carried away. Before you make your purchases, take a step back and see if you need to censor yourself a little bit. Remember that your baby could care less whether the wallpaper trim is expensive or cheap, and frankly the baby won’t even care if there is any wallpaper trim at all. Try to think in the terms of what the baby wants: a safe, comfortable place to sleep. All the extras are usually things that the parents add to make something aesthetically pleasing to an adult eye.Keep the decorations simple. By not getting carried away with purchases you’ll inevitably save some money.

• Make your own decor. Even if you aren’t particularly crafty you can still pull off some pretty impressive decorations by following a kit or using your own imagination. Making something on your own almost always costs less than buying it brand new in a store. Take a look at some photos in a catalog to see what kind of decor you want for your baby’s room and then figure out what you can create on your own.Decor for a baby room that you lovingly create yourself is not only more frugal than purchasing it elsewhere, it also makes for a unique room.

Always keep in mind that your baby isn’t born expecting a designer nursery. The nursery should be functional and pleasing to the eye, but not something that you need to take out a second mortgage to finance.

Stocking up for a new baby can get really expensive. There are so many things to buy – furniture, a stroller, clothes, and everything else that a new baby needs – that it can truly drain your wallet just to prepare everything for an impending birth. With so many purchases to make, it’s a great idea to seek out the best deals you can find.

• The best deal for baby gear is free. You’ll probably get offered some hand-me-downs from friends and family, especially if you know people who have toddlers or preschoolers. In fact, when parents decide that they don’t want to have any more babies they can get quite generous with giving away baby items. If you are fortunate enough to have used baby gear offered to you, consider accepting it.Plenty of parents have a desire to give their babies only the very best products, and your first inclination may be to turn down the used baby items offered to you. Keep in mind, however, that by accepting these items you’re freeing up money to put toward other baby necessities.
• Some used items are almost new. Shop at most consignment stores and you’ll quickly realize that the best stores are stocked with items that seem barely used. Why not buy a gorgeous crib at a consignment store for a fraction of the price of a new one, especially if you can’t even really tell that the crib is used to begin with?Garage sales, thrift stores, and classified ads usually feature some great baby products at much lower prices than their brand-new counterparts. Be sure to shop around for the best deals.
• Buy new, but never pay full price. Start buying necessary items early so you have plenty of time to seek out the very best deals. Sign up for mailing lists at baby stores and your mailbox will soon be full of coupons and special offers. Look for clearance sales and other discounted events.If you insist on buying things new, at least make sure you aren’t paying full price for the things you need.
• Ignore labels. Most parents will agree that while extra functions can be quite nice, a crib is a crib, a stroller is a stroller, and a highchair is a highchair. Try to ignore what labels are trendy and instead take time to find the features you like.Buy the trendiest baby gear and you’ll pay the highest price.The more time you have to search for great deals, the better chances you have of finding baby items at a really low price. Remember: Paying full price means you’re paying too much.

My daughter is now eight-years-old. Over the years I have spent thousands of dollars on baby clothes, educational toys, baby furniture, books … all the best that I could afford to buy. I shopped online, I shopped in-store, I shopped I shopped I shopped. But then I discovered Ebay. Now don’t roll your eyes and click off this article like I did for years – read on! There is nothing that you can find in a store that you can’t find on Ebay – sometimes gently used, sometimes very used, often times brand new – but almost always at an unbelievable price. I mean pennies on the dollar – literally. See for yourself if you don’t believe me!

If it’s too good to be true it probably is
Yes and no. As a seasoned Ebay shopper, I have gotten some deals that seemed too good to be true (those are the ones I especially love). But I’ve also learned some lessons, and I’d like to pass them on to you. Here are some tips that I suggest you pay attention to before jumping into the Ebay World.

1. Pay Attention To Feedback
   Every item you see on Ebay is offered by a person, a “seller.” When viewing an item, you will see the seller’s handle, followed by a number in parenthesis. This is the seller’s feedback rating.

   When someone purchases an item from a seller (a buyer) they leave “feedback” about how their transaction went. Each feedback left consists of a rating (positive, negative, or neutral), and a short comment. The number is how many buyers have purchased an item from that seller, so right off the bat, you now how long a seller has been doing business. Someone with 1 feedback rating obviously hasn’t been around as long as someone with a 5,648 rating (and yes, you’ll see that often!)

   But just as important as how many people have left feedback, is the percentage of Positive Feedback … 100% is the best! But of course, you can’t please people all of the time, so even a positive feedback of 95% can be good. You can read the comments left by buyers by clicking on the feedback rating. They will tell you if the product was received, in what condition, how promptly, etc., which will allow you to make a decision on whether or not to trust the Ebay seller.

2. Shipping and Handling
   Almost all items have an associated Shipping and Handling charge. Most sellers assign a reasonable fee to cover their cost of packaging, and of course, the delivery fee. But sometimes they jack that price up in order to make the low cost of their item appear to be a better deal than it is. Most of the time the S&H fee is prominently posted on the item page, so be sure to look for it! If it is not listed, contact the buyer and ask them what shipping fees will be incurred before you make a bid! Be sure to calculate the cost of S&H with the cost of the item to be sure you are indeed getting a great deal.
3. Don’t bid immediately!
   Ok, so you’ve found an item that you want. It’s a great price, and the S&H fee is reasonable. You want to bid on it, now. DON’T! All items listed on Ebay are there for a specified amount of time. You can see how much time you have to purchase the item by looking at how much time is left on the auction (see Time Left: under the current bid cost). If there are four days left until the auction ends, wait. Bidding now is going to cause someone else who is interested in the item to bid too, which in turn raises the price of the item. What you need to do is Watch the item, and come back the day the auction ends (preferably within a few minute of the end time) and bid then. This doesn’t give other buyers as much time to out bid you and make the cost go up!

   How do you “watch the item?” There is a link that says “Watch This Item” for every product offered on Ebay. All you need to do is click it, and that product will be saved in a list for you to come back to later. You must be a registered Ebay Member to take advantage of this, but registering is FREE and easy. So I suggest you register right away, that way when you find a great buy you’re ready for it.

4. View seller’s other items
   Once you find an item that you like at the right price, see what else the seller is offering. Odds are, they have many other items that are closely related to exactly what you’re looking for that didn’t come up in your product search. Check it out! And if you like the buyer and their products, save the buyer as a favorite!
5. Pay attention to the item description
   Some items will be listed with words or phrases that you don’t understand. For instance, “NIB” means new in box. If there is something that is in the description that you don’t understand – ASK THE SELLER! Once you win the auction it is too late to clear up unanswered questions, so rather than be disappointed, be safe.
6. Don’t get stuck in a competitive mindset
   This was the biggest lesson that I needed to learn in the early days of my Ebay-hood. I’d find an item that I’d like, bid on it, then be outbid. So then I’d bid again. It was a viciuos cycle and I ended up paying more for the item than I should have, simply because I wanted to win. You must keep in mind that you are trying to get a deal. If the price is no longer a deal in your mind, wait. The item will be listed again eventually at a price you want to pay.
7. Don’t limit yourself
   You can literally find *anything* on Ebay: Books, furniture, household products, clothes, shoes, collectibles… it is rare that I search for something and don’t find it.
8. Don’t just buy – SELL!
   As your baby grows, you’re going to find yourself with boxes full of clothes, toys, and other items that you no longer need. Use them to finance your new shopping sprees! Become an Ebay Seller and have a garage sale from the comfort of your living room! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is, and how much money you can make doing it! Many of my friends go to weekend garage sales and pick up antiques, collectibles, etc. and then sell them on Ebay for a tremendous profit. If you’re looking for some extra money, this is one easy way to do it!

Ready to check out Ebay now that you know the ins and outs a little bit? Type anything into the search box below and see what kind of deals you can get, or view our Discount Baby Products section for baby product categories to browse through. Happy Saving!

Do you have tips that you’d like to share with our Members? Let Us Know!

]]> http://www.babiesonline.com/articles/money/savewithebay.asp/feed 0 http://www.babiesonline.com/articles/baby/nursery-gear/usedcarseats.asp http://www.babiesonline.com/articles/baby/nursery-gear/usedcarseats.asp#comments Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:53:42 +0000 admin http://208.79.203.56/articles/baby/usedcarseats.asp

This one is such a controversial issue! Should you buy a used car seat for your baby or toddler, and if you do, what should you keep in mind and look for? Read on about the pros and cons so that you can make the best choice for your family.

A car seat is a very expensive part of baby gear that you HAVE to have for your baby. It is against the law to have your infant or toddler not in a car seat and many states have laws that say all kids under 60 or 80 pounds have to be in some type of car or booster seat. The cost can certainly add up because until your child is one year old he has to be facing the rear of the car for safety purposes. This means if you have just an infant car seat, at a year you will have to buy a new car seat that can face forwards.

Because of the cost of baby gear, many people try to cut corners and buy used items. Most experts agree that buying used baby gear is a great way to make the most of your money. However, many suggest that parents should draw the line at buying used car seats for safety reasons.

When in a moving vehicle, the only thing protecting your infant or toddler is the car seat that they are in. When you buy a used car seat there are several things unknown to you about it. Until you research it, you don’t know if that car seat has had any recalls done on it for safety purposes. If you are buying it from a stranger, you also do not know if it has been in a car that was in an accident, possibly making it unstable. Even if the person you are buying it from says it wasn’t in an accident, can you trust a stranger to tell you the truth? You may not know how old the car seat is which can make it hard to judge how safe it will keep your child.

Borrowing a car seat from a relative or close friend may generally be okay because you will know already if it was ever in an accident which can take one worry off your chest. If you do your research and feel confident that the car seat is safe, as well as research any recalls that may have been done on the car seat, then a used car seat from a friend or family member may be a good way to save a bundle.

If you buy a new car seat you know that at the point you buy it there have been no recalls done on it, or else the store would have taken it off the shelf. In the box is a postcard you can send into the manufacturer so that you will be contacted when and if there is a recall on your car seat. You will also know for a fact that the car seat has never been in an accident and is stable for your baby. Buying new however you are more likely to spend more money than you would if you bought used.

When it comes to used car seats it is most important that you do your research. After all, it is the health of your baby that is at stake. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a list of recalls that you can find by clicking here.

This is the newest article of our Mom to Mom series (well, actually it’s the first!)  We asked our members,

What tips would you give a brand new mom?

The responses we saw most often were:

• Trust Your Instincts
• Breastfeed
• Cherish Every Moment
• Join a Parenting Community
• Sleep when your baby sleeps
• Have pre-made meals handy
• Try to rest and relax

And here is how it broke down …

From our Forums

LaurenOlalde: Advice that many gave me but I didn’t believe, “Time goes by so fast.” The first year has come and gone and my once newborn is now a toddler, I cant even begin to explain where the time has gone.

KimPossible:  Write everything down because you will forget a few months/years later.

Editor’s Note – or add them to your Babies Online Milestones Tracker!

BreezyChas: NEVER wake a sleeping baby….and NEVER hold a sleeping baby (well for long) … In my experience with mine….with our first we held her all the time when she was sleeping because she was new and she would never sleep without someone holding her. With my second we didn’t hold her as much when sleeping and she slept a lot better…by my third…he’d sleep all night in his crib because we didn’t hold him while sleeping…

oceangirl: Trust your instincts.

KimPossible: Don’t be afraid to question your child’s pediatrician or to disagree with him, you are the parent and have the final say.  Do your research, ask other parents for advise you might be surprised what you learn.  Join a parenting message board!! The knowledge and info you learn/receive is priceless!!  Do reviews on products before making a purchase. You might find that something you think is cool but have gotten horrible reviews by other parents.

2CuteBoys: Always trust your instincts, IMO you can never spoil a baby enjoy her/him cause time does go by fast,cherish every moment,be open and honest with your kids,be paient with them…

Frances: My advice would be to take other people’s criticism with a grain of salt. Not everyone will agree with the way you parent YOUR baby… if you choose to breastfeed you may get negativity from people that formula feed or vice versa. As long as your baby is fed, clothed, loved, healthy, safe and happy there is no right or wrong way to parent. You have to do what is best and works for your family regardless of what others have to say. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel you are inferior because you don’t do things the way they did.

From our Twitter Friends

• inklesstales Don’t let your mother or mother-in-law make you afraid. YOU’RE the mommy now.  (2)  Breastfeeding HURTS, but it doesn’t last, and then it’s very cool, and FREE, and healthier – & go ahead & do it in public. (3)  Trust your instincts. You may not know medicine, you may not know much, but YOU KNOW UR BABY.

0 more results since you started searching. Refresh to see them.

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  canadiancollect:  Never brag when baby is sleeping well. You’ll jinx it!
  
  
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  rapidreasoning: Advice from someone who just gave birth…treasure every single moment with your new baby!!
  
  Hide Conversation
• BreastfedBabies: Join LLL so you can have breastfeeding friends and join MOMS Club so you can have Mom friends close by!
  
  
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  backwoodbarbie1: Sleep when they sleep.and you can never take to many pictures!!!

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  cindyambrose: If it’s someone close, pre-made meals. if not, maybe vouchers for a pizza place?

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  mommymichelle6:  seek out experienced mom’s to act as mentors. Raising a child REALLY does take a village.

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  kaboogie: There’s ’nuff advice, not enough support. Do what makes sense, leave the rest behind.
  
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  Juicytots:  stock your freezer with quick easy food

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  Soph4Soph: rest as much as you can & see a movie!!

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  CynSieWil: Stock your freezer with three weeks’ worth of dinners–you will NOT have energy to cook or shop
  
  
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  kaboogie: RELAX and use your natural instincts.
  
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  dancingsisters:  Sleep when your baby sleeps. You don’t know when your next chance may be!
  
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  windwardskies:  trust your instincts! All the books/advice in the world can’t compare to what you feel is right.

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  Bncngoffthwlls: The key to good parenting is to always know what your next best distraction will be! U always need 2 know what UR going 2 distract UR kids w/ BEFORE U do something that U know will cause meltdown!

From our Facebook Friends

I was surprised that our Facebook Fans were so quiet on this one, but we did get a few responses …

Renee H

My advice: Take time out for yourself! You don’t have to be “super-mom” like you think. The better you take care of yourself, the better you’ll take care of your little one!

Donna H

Nap when the little one sleeps

Jenni B

Go with your gut instinct. People will off you plenty of advice, but there is something to be said about a mother’s instinct – it’s usually right on.

Lori W

What I would tell a new parent: Read….read….read….oh, and relax and enjoy your child! Even though babies don’t come with “directions”, don’t worry that you’ll do something wrong. Your own “mother’s instinct” will kick in automatically without even thinking about it! Did I say read?…………..

From our Myspace Friends

Heather W

Rayne’s Mommy

Always remember when you feel you are having a bad day….Look at your baby and everything becomes better!

Karen

(Haha…sorry that was some advice I heard when I was prego with my first and I’ve always remembered it.)

Latoya G

Be prepared to sacrifice all the time you have to properly raise your little one, it won’t spoil him but it will make him smarter. & Good communications and loving attention by parents during a child’s early years are sure to reap lasting rewards

Desiree Annette

The best is yet to come!

Don’t compare your baby to others. Every baby is different and will reach each milestone when they are good and ready.

Janelle

Rachel Briggs

Rå¢hêlLêê

*Do what you feel is right No matter who is saying not to.

*Don’t be afraid to lay the baby down, you do not have to hold them for the first year of life.

*Crying is ok. Some cries are needed to strengthen the lungs.( not all cries are though)

*Keep your faith in it all. When times get rough and you feel like there is no rest coming for you. Wait it will.

*Don’t feel guilty because you ask for help so you can rest.(If you can not function due to lack of sleep Who will care for your children?)

*DO listen to advice given some of it may be useful one day.You may not want to believe it but Your Mother & Mother-in-laws do give good advice sometimes.

*Just because you gave birth doesn’t mean you gave up on all the things you wanted to do or wanted to have. DO what you love if it requires no children,get a sitter. Do not feel bad about still doing things for yourself.

*Take Pride in your new life with baby. Be Brave,Strong,Courageous! They are all you have and they need you to protect them at all cost!

* When they are old enough to tell you to shut-up or tell you NO or repeat things they hear DO NOT feel bad about time outs or a tap on the buns to let them know its not ok. DO not be afraid to discipline. It helps guide them to be the people we want them to be and helps them to distinguish from right and wrong!!

*Last but not least *** LOVE *** with your heart n soul and give hugs and kisses and praise every chance you get! Your not promised today nor tomorrow so live life to the fullest and don’t be afraid to say what you mean and mean what you say!Protect and Love at all cost!

Sarah

Rachy

So there you have it!

Moms around the world giving you their most valuable tips.  What golden nuggets do you have to share with other new moms?

By Nancy Dean

If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably heard your grandparents telling you how lucky you are and singing the praises of disposable diapers. Way back then, the only option was cloth diapers, which require a ton of laundry work. See, less than thirty years ago, disposable diapers were considered a luxury. Nowadays, everyone uses cloth diapers and people that use cloth diapers for their babies are considered to be odd. There are several reasons that modern parents might want to use cloth diapers instead of disposables, and, believe it or not, cloth diapers are starting to make a bit of a comeback.

The main reason that a parent may choose to start using cloth diapers instead of the name brand disposables is the cost. Cloth diapers are much cheaper than disposables, even if the parents are paying a diaper service to haul away the used diapers and bring clean ones each week. Disposable diapers can easily cost well over one hundred dollars per month or more, and you’ll be paying this expense every month for around two years. Many parents are starting to forgo the convenience of disposables to save this extra money.

There are also environmental issues to consider. Disposable diapers are made out of plastic and a pad of absorbent cotton. Plastic does not biodegrade well at all, which means that our landfills are filled with diapers that aren’t going away anytime soon. Most people believe that the convenience offered by disposable diapers outweighs this fact. They might not consciously make this choice, but their actions speak for themselves. Environmentalists believe that those who use cloth diapers are taking one small step which goes a long way to protect and preserve the Earth for future generations.

Those whiny parents and grandparents might still have a few bones to pick with today’s parents who decide on using cloth diapers, because the today’s cloth diapers are much different from those that they were using on their own kids and grandkids several decades ago. They are used to awkward folding and having to use safety pins to fasten the diaper to the baby. Modern cloth diapers are pre-cut and shaped to cover the baby’s backside quickly and easily. They also have Velcro fasteners or snaps to make it easier to secure. One other added feature is that many cloth diapers now come with a flushable, biodegradable paper lining hold in solid waste so you can easily flush it down the toilet. So no more stinky diapers sitting around waiting for trash pickup day.

Cloth diapers are currently used by only a very small percentage of parents, but they are still out there and available. Any parent concerned with the cost or environmental impact of disposable diapers should seriously consider going with cloth.

About the Author
Nancy Dean is a freelance author and mother of three. She contributes to several websites and specializes in articles about children and decorating.

Babies are expensive! That is a fact that everyone knows and agrees on. Babies start costing parent’s money from the first time they step in a baby store, until they go off to college, and many times for years after that. There are several things you can do however to save yourself money early on.

Don’t Start Shopping Too Early
The sooner you start to shop for your baby the more you will spend. It is like an addiction. As soon as you buy that first cute outfit, you want to go buy another and another. You buy one toy and then you see another toy that you just have to have. The longer you wait the less money you will spend before the baby is born.

Hit the Sales
When you are shopping for baby, go to the back of the stores and hit the sales racks. You can often find great baby clothes at a huge discount. If you get a coupon, use it to make your savings even bigger. Watch the ads and shop smart.

Buy Big
When hitting sales racks you will often find that the clothes available are for the season you have just passed. This is a great opportunity to buy clothes that will fit your baby the next time summer or winter comes around. You can even buy for several years. The more clothes you buy for your baby now, the less he will need later.

Garage Sales
Garage sales can be a great place to buy cheap used baby clothing and toys. Babies often outgrow things so quickly, especially during the first year that you can find clean and sometimes brand new baby clothes for pennies on the dollar. You can even get used baby gear much cheaper at garage sales. Be sure to always check out recall lists for any toys that you buy your baby before you let your baby use it in order to keep your baby safe. Also, don’t forget to completely clean and sanitize any item you buys used from a garage sale.

Wait For Gifts
Before you start spending your money on expensive baby items and clothing that will add up for your baby consider what gifts you will get. You are likely to get gifts of clothing, gear and diapers from friends and family, especially if you have a baby shower, and all these gifts are items that you will not have to buy. Many times it will be family that buys the big items saving your pocket book from the huge dents that strollers and pack-n-plays can cause.

Choose the Best Toys
When shopping for toys, remember that your baby does not need EVERYTHING made for a baby. Your baby can quickly become over stimulated when offered too many choices. Be choosy when shopping and pick out the best toys that you think your baby will use. No need to buy multiple items in different colors or patterns. If you choose the best and what your child needs then you will save money in the long run.

Spend More, Get More
There are huge price differences in items like car seats and strollers on the market. Like anything else, most of the time the level of quality on an item is shown by the price of the item. This doesn’t mean that the lower priced choices are bad or dangerous, just that in many cases the higher priced items will hold up better and last longer. If it is possible in your budget, try to steer clear from the least expensive big baby items. In many cases it will mean that you have to replace the item less frequently or sometimes not at all, saving you money down the road.

What woman doesn’t like shoe shopping? When a woman has a baby it just gives her an extra reason to go to the mall. When should you buy shoes for your baby, when do they need to wear them, and what should you look for? There are many things to keep in mind when it comes to shopping for your baby’s feet. Here are a few.

Are Shoes Needed
Until your baby has learned how to walk, he doesn’t necessarily NEED shoes. Shoes are great to have to make an outfit complete, or for pictures, but as a daily need it is not a must for most babies or their parents. As your baby learns to walk most pediatricians still suggest not putting shoes on their feet. The muscles on your baby’s feet only gain strength as they are used, and if your baby learns to walk with shoes on, he is not strengthening those muscles. When your baby is learning to walk and you are going to be out of the house putting shoes on his feet to protect them is a good idea, but he should still be allowed to walk around barefooted while at home.

What Should You Look For?
There are many things to remember when it comes to getting the perfect pair of shoes for your baby. Getting a good quality shoe is very important because the development of your baby’s feet is a constant ongoing process. There are certain details to look for when looking for a good quality shoe.

• The shoe should be made of breathable material (like leather) instead of plastic
• Sole should be bendable at the ball of the foot
• Should have cushioned insoles
• Feel for irregularities inside of the shoe
• Flat heels for babies and toddlers ONLY

Shoe Size
The size of shoe you buy is important as well. Just like clothing where one brand might be bigger than a different brand in exactly the same size, one shoe labeled as a three from one company may fit like a size two or a size four. When it comes time to measure your baby’s feet for shoes, measure them in the afternoon, when all of our feet are naturally more swollen than they are in the morning. If your baby’s shoes are a half an inch long on him it is ok because it will give his feet room to expand and move around some as he is learning to walk, run and jump. The width of your baby’s foot is just as important as the length. Some baby’s naturally have wider feet than others so make sure the shoe you pick out works widthwise as well as length wise before sending your baby out in the world in it.

Flat Feet
You may hear from friends or relatives something about your baby having flat feet and concern about how to buy shoes to help the feet develop an arch. The truth is that all babies are born with flat feet and that in most cases an arch will naturally develop as his muscles strengthen. Don’t buy shoes that have an arch built in as an effort to help your baby’s arch form. If you are really concerned about the development of your babies feet ask your pediatrician at your baby’s next well-check.

Blankets, stuffed animals, pacifiers and more are often seen being drug behind toddlers and thrown in diaper bags all over the place. Security items can become an important part of some children’s lives, to a point where they are not happy, can not be settled, or will not go to sleep without their favorite item. This can make it hard on mom and dad however.

Security items bring comfort to babies and toddlers alike. A pacifier or bottle creates a sucking motion that often calms and puts a baby to sleep. This is especially true for babies who have been or are breastfed and found comfort and relaxation while nursing. What makes it hard is trying to take the bottle or pacifier away from a toddler that is attached to it and doesn’t want to let go.

A favorite toy can cause anxiety and tears when left at the park or forgotten at home when you head for an overnight visit to grandmas. Many kids will not go to sleep or calm down if they can not hold onto their first teddy bear, or stuffed animal they lovingly call, “Me Me” when they settle in for the night after hearing their favorite book. Without a distraction when this item is not there, a parent may have a very hard time getting their baby to go down for the night.

Whether you realize it or not, you probably do the same thing. When you get upset or anxious you may go looking for something to bring you some peace. Maybe you get that by reading a book, taking a bath or calling an old friend but when you find it you feel instantly better. This is what your baby is doing with his security item, making himself feel better.

At some point as a parent you will want to teach your child how to function without this object always having to be lugged along. You don’t want your kindergartener going to school with a pacifier in his mouth, or your preschooler not napping because he doesn’t have his blanket “whoopee”. There are many ways you can wean your kids off these items from doing it cold turkey to being gradual about it. Some believe cold turkey is too hard for the child, while other think out of sight out of mind is better than the tease of doing it gradually. As a parent you have to make the decision that is best for your family.