1. Don’t waste time buying a nice outfit for the hospital. After women give birth, they bleed (like a heavy period). I was much more comfortable in the hospital gown and those undergarments they give you to wear. It is so much easier.

2. There is a pretty good chance you may go number #2 while pushing the baby out! This certainly isn’t something to be embarrassed about, it happens naturally when you are bearing down.

3. Don’t plan on sleeping while you are in the hospital. Nurses are in and out at all hours. If you’re nursing the baby, they will bring her/him in to nurse, etc. Don’t be annoyed. Their job is to take care of you and your new little gift, let them.

4. You are charged for all the stuff that is under the baby in the hospital bassinet! I didn’t know this the first time. However, the second time around, I took everything I could, including diapers, blankets, nasal aspirator (AKA “The Boogie Sucker”), the water jug, etc. If I am paying for it, I am taking it!

5. You might be modest before you go into the hospital, but it is a good idea to shed it before you check in. Everyone comes to check your “Belly” every hour or so, no shame left at all! Don’t be embarrassed, they do this everyday. In addition, their job is to take care of you and your little one on the way, so let them!

6. Although things can get pretty uncomfortable, it all melts away once you see your baby. All the pain is worth it when you hear your baby’s first cry and hold them for the first time.

7. Try not to have expectations when you go into the hospital to deliver. Don’t have your mind set on having/not having an epidural, giving birth naturally, having a c-section, etc. Remember, it doesn’t matter how the baby gets here, as long as it’s healthy.

8. I wish I had known to tell friends not to come to the hospital – you are there such a short time and you need all the sleep and help from the nurses you can get!!!! You’ll have the rest of your lives to show off your new addition.

9. Use the nurses for all the knowledge that they have. Nurses do this everyday, all day. Therefore, use them for their knowledge. Ask them to show you how to correctly change the babies diaper, give them a bath and feed them. Even if this is not your first child, get a “refresher” course. If there is something that you forget to ask, call them!

10. If you are nursing, ask to meet with a lactation nurse. These nurses specialize in making both mommy and baby successful in breast-feeding. In addition, you may want to ask for some breast shields to take home with you. If you are not nursing, as the nurses the best way to help you feel comfortable when your milk comes in and drying up.

About the Author
Amy Cummings is currently a stay at home mom who takes care of her two daughters. Amy is a special education teacher by trade. She created the “Knot Me” which helps eliminate knots and bald spots from riding in the car seat or stroller. They are available at http://www.theknotme.com. In addition, Amy sells gourmet soy candles and soaps. Visit her website at http://www.soycandleshome.com.

Some people think that the word sexy and pregnancy do not belong together. I have to disagree. In fact, I have heard many men say that a woman is her sexiest and most beautiful when she is pregnant!

So, how do you go about feeling sexy when your belly is expanding and your body is going through so many changes? So many women tell me they feel unattractive when they are pregnant, but they don’t have to!

The good news is that the days of the maternity tent dress are over! Today’s maternity wear is hip, trendy and yes, even sexy! http://maternitycorner.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=M The designers have brilliantly combined comfort and fashion in clothing that you can start wearing as soon as you discover you are pregnant right on through post-partum and beyond.

Just wearing your husband clothes may be economical – and they may fit fine over your expanding belly — but they will not have a good fit everywhere else! Buying bigger sizes in regular clothes is also never a great idea if you want to feel good about yourself. I’m sorry to say you will just look bigger and feel frumpy.

There are several “basics” that every woman should have when she is pregnant. For your first pieces, try to stick with basics that will go with everything. A couple of good pairs of pants, jeans or skirts are a good place to start (your lifestyle will determine which is best for you). Add a top or two and you are on your way! Then, as you “grow”, add tops in fashionable prints and colors that will mix and match with your basics, giving you fresh new looks, as well an occasional, much needed, psychological boost. If you are really keen, splurge on some “not-so-practical” tops or bottoms to round out your maternity wardrobe. Remember, many of today’s styles can be worn after baby too! If you cannot afford a whole new wardrobe, or even if you can and don’t want to spend the money, you need to get yourself at least a couple of basics and one outfit that makes you feel beautiful and sexy — there is no price for the way an outfit like this will make you feel!

Don’t forget your underwear! If your underwear binds you are not going to feel comfortable. There are so many great styles available now! And if you’re a thong wearer, there’s no reason to stop now. Maternity thongs, as well as the bikinis and briefs, are available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors.

Chances are you will probably require several different bra sizes throughout your pregnancy. No matter which type of bra you choose, fit is important. There should be room for expansion around the rib cage and room for expansion in the cup, but not so much that the bra does not provide adequate support. Have fun with your maternity and nursing bras — there are so many options available!

There are also some great skin care products available now. Pamper yourself with some luxurious creams or body wash! Take some time out for you — you deserve it!

Remember, when you feel good, you look great — even sexy!

About The Author
Anne Cavicchi is a mom and owner of Annie’s Maternity Corner — dedicated to providing a large collection of fashionable maternity and nursing wear to allow you to express your own style comfortably during and after pregnancy. We also carry all the products you will need for after your child is born. Accessories, diapers, sleepwear, breast pumps, playwear, and everything in between! http://www.maternitycorner.com.

Tight clothing before you even have a bump can be very frustrating. If it isn’t your first pregnancy you may notice these changes earlier than other newly pregnant women. Most of the time, the first trimester is too early for maternity clothes, with their big elastic waistbands or big pouches, and yet no ome wants to have to spend money on new clothes every few weeks until the maternity clothes fit you.

If it is warm outside, your range of choices may be a bit wider than when the temperatures are colder. Try light, loose-fitting shorts with elastic waistbands for running around town, your house, or heading to the pool. Loose pull over short sleeve shirts and tank tops are perfect for avoiding your shirt stretching at the buttons over your growing breasts. Sundresses that don’t have a waist at all are a great choice, and something that you might already have in your closet. The idea is to be comfy!

If it is cooler outside and shorts are not an option, or you have to work in an office where you have a dress code, try looking for some black slacks or pants that don’t button, and instead have elastic or a draw string so that as the day goes on, there is room for you to grow and get comfortable. Black slacks can be dressed up or dressed down and can be worn with anything, so your options are unlimited. Stick to the tops in your closet that don’t have buttons if your breast size is rapidly growing, as pullovers and sweaters won’t look so stretched. On weekends or when running around town, try to stick to sweat bottoms as the elastic waist can move with your body.

When you get home for the day, there is nothing wrong with pulling out your comfortable pajama’s or a lounging outfit that has no buttons or zippers and putting it on for the evening. The third trimester, and after your baby is born, is soon enough to be uncomfortable all day, so there is no reason to be uncomfortable during the early days of your pregnancy.

You’ve done a lot of the hard work and potty training is now going well. To get things running smoothly you’ve been staying home and it’s been working. You’ve got a good system happening between the two of you and there have been relatively few accidents in recent days. You’re even starting to feel like this potty training thing is no big deal.

You wonder whether maybe it’s time to head out, to move beyond the safety of home. However, you know that potty training at home is very different to potty training in the big wide world but you aren’t sure how different and what to do to prepare yourself and educate your child on what to expect.

Just because it’s new and perhaps a bit intimidating, you can’t stay home forever. No really, you can’t! Of course, it’s tempting to put them in pull ups so you won’t have to worry about any potential accidents. The only problem is that it isn’t really sending your child the right message about the path ahead.

You know that your child can go for at least an hour in between potty visits so if you time it right you might be able to get there and back within the hour. Well, maybe. But bladders, especially children’s bladders, aren’t always like that. You know what it’s like when you get excited or nervous, you need to go to the bathroom more. Your child is like that too, only they can’t hold on like you can. So you may well find that your child needs to go more when they are out, not less.

So what can you do?
1. Explain to your child what will happen when you are out, how it will likely be different from home and any concerns you may have.

2. Get them to go, or at least try to go potty before you leave.

3. Find out where the toilets are as soon as you get wherever you are going and go straight away. It’s much easier doing this calmly before they really need it than in the rush of a sudden urge.

4. If you’re out in public, as you move around always be on the lookout for those tell-tale bathroom signs so you know exactly which direction you should head if you need to.

5. If you don’t have a portable potty with you, try getting your child to sit backwards on a regular toilet – some children find this easier because they have the wall or toilet cistern to hold onto and don’t feel like they are going to fall off the seat on to the floor.

6. Take some spare clothing, a couple of plastic bags, and some baby wipes and paper towels with you in case of accidents.

7. If they have an accident in a shop or restaurant – let the staff know and race to the bathroom with your child. Sure it is embarrassing but you won’t be the first. All you can really do is apologise – quickly – and leave a big tip.

8. If your child has an accident at a friend’s house then it’s your responsibility to clean it up. Best to take your own paper towels so you can quickly spring into action without having to ask for everything and make it a big deal.

9. Don’t forget to take your sense of humour – accidents or not, you’re going to need it. There may be several false alarms with your child wanting to find out what happens when they say the magic trigger word. If you feel this is happening, try not to get upset with them. Instead try praising them for telling you and being so responsible about their potty training, even though you know it’s not easy.

Good luck!

About The Author
Find more information on how to handle potty training road blocks and what other potty training sites won’t tell you, visit Potty Training. There you will find the advice and resources you need to succeed with potty training in the long term.

If you are in a location that gets a good amount of snow, take advantage of the snow and use it like a prop for your pictures. Have your children make snow angels, and capture pictures of them having a snowball fight or building Frosty. One of my favorite pictures of my son is from when he was one years old, bundled up in his jacket, sitting in the snow with fresh snowflakes falling on his head. This is a picture I would have never been able to take had I not taken a risk and taken the picture in the cold.

You can also use different props in the snow and cold weather that you aren’t able to use in the summer. Dress your daughter up in your way too big fur coat for her keep warm. Get out the sled or borrow your neighbors for your kids to sit on. Use scarf’s and hats to give your children different looks.

Don’t worry about the cold hurting your camera or affecting your pictures. Your camera should work fine in cold weather. You should however protect it from condensation when going from cold to warm by putting it in an airtight plastic bag until the camera reaches room temperature. Also be sure that you take extra batteries as the cold makes them run down faster.

You may be afraid that you or your kids will not stay warm enough to take pictures. Be sure to wear warm thin gloves that will keep moisture away from your skin while allowing you to be able to press the button. Don’t forget your hiking boots, galoshes, scarf’s and hats when or if they are needed.

So instead of traipsing your baby off to the nearest department store or photographer’s studio, why not create some of your own home-grown, customized variety, baby photos that will not only save you extra time and money, but will also provide you with creatively styled pics as well? It’s not a difficult task – as a matter of fact, it’s very easy to do with just a few objects (props) that can be found right in your own home. We’ve gathered some cute and creative costume and prop ideas to give you tips on designing your very own custom-themed baby pictures and are happy to share them with you here.

Backdrop
Think about your backdrop before choosing the baby’s. No point in having them sitting around waiting for their picture to be taken in that fluffy bunny suit that will eventually make your baby fussy. A simple, solid-colored fabric sheet or blanket temporarily hung on the wall makes the perfect setting for your at-home photo shoot. If you’re going for a certain theme such as the beach, park or even a holiday scene, consider a subtle toned over-sized beach towel, illustrated blanket or seasonal tablecloth. Make sure the fabric is hung low enough that it drapes onto the floor providing a clean place for baby to ‘pose’.

Rocking chairs, rocking horses, over-stuffed loungers, and bean bag chairs also make creative backdrops if your baby is at an age where they can sit up by themselves for an extended period of time. Those items can also be draped with fabric to add a softened and cozy affect.

Costumes
Now first and foremost, you want your baby to be comfortable. A cranky baby doesn’t make for the best subject and will most likely stress mom out during the picture taking process as well. But a great idea for styling your own baby photos is to utilize a cute pajama, well-fitting costume, or outfit that is already hanging in your baby’s closet or folded away in his or her dresser drawers.

Props
Look around your house – not just in, but including – baby’s room. You’ve probably got more appropriate props to enhance your scene than you even realize. Beach themes can be adorned with inflated beach balls and water toys, a pail, shovel and shells. Park scenes can include a picnic basket, baby’s favorite ball or toy as well as a simple outdoor styled chair or bench you may have in your home or out on the patio. Seasonal scenes pretty much speak for themselves, but be sure not to over due it – you don’t want to take any attention away from your little star. A Valentine’s Day theme for example, can include any stuffed animals that incorporate red into their detailing and home-made wings on your baby to exemplify your very own cupid. A cowboy hat and neckerchief if your baby’s on a rocking horse or the real-life family dog next to your little ones if they’re dressed up in a puppy or kitten costume – how cute!

These are just a few creative ways you can design your very own, customized theme pictures that can turn out as good or better, than if you’d had them taken at a studio. So go ahead and let your resourcefulness shine as your imagination does most of the work for you!

1. Health Insurance. This is one area which is a HUGE concern. Yes, insurance can be expensive, but you will need it. You simply can not afford to cut this cost from your budget. You can reduce insurance costs by checking into HMO policies which have lower premiums and out of pocket expenses. Many states have free shot clinics which can help lower your expenses. If you can’t afford to carry insurance, see if your state has insurance for people in your situation. Many states will cover insurance premium costs if your income is under a certain level.
2. Breastfeed your baby, if possible. If you can’t breastfeed, there are ways to save money on formula. Try to apply for WIC (Women , Infants, and Children), a program designed to help middle and low income families with educational resources and food. You can also save money by buying formula in bulk, clipping coupons, and accepting free samples whenever they are offered. Check with your doctor to see if you can feed your infant a generic formula.
3. Diapers. Store brand disposable diapers can be just as good as the name brand, for several dollars less than their name brand counterparts. Experiment until you find a store brand that works for you and your baby. Clipping coupons also can help to lower diaper expenses.
4. Baby food. You can save a lot of money buy making your own baby food. You can use a blender or a baby food grinder to grind table food for baby. Simply put the puree into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then place the cubes in a labeled freezer bag. When your baby is hungry, you can microwave the food cubes.
5. Clothing. There is no need to buy expensive designer clothing for you little one. You can get most of your baby clothing at yard sales or second-hand stores. If you have a neighbor or friend with slightly older children, ask if she would be willing to send some “hand me downs” your way. Remember that many discount stores also sell inexpensive clothing.
6. Toys. Don’t feel pressured to get the latest and most expensive models. I remember buying expensive toys for my first child one Christmas only to find that she spent the entire day playing with boxes and wrapping paper. Kids don’t need a lot of toys; quality is more important than quantity.

What other suggestions do you have for reducing baby expenses?

Author: Michelle Schaefer

It is reported that cotton farming uses a full quarter of all pesticides used on crops around the U.S, and is the third heaviest user of pesticides around the world. Think about that fact for a moment. Considering all the many varied food crops there are, from grains to vegetables to fruits, that is a staggering thought. If we want to live in an environmentally responsible way, it just makes sense that we should do all we can with our purchasing dollars to support organic cotton farmers.

Where baby is concerned, there are other considerations. Organic cotton is not bleached or dyed with harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. In fact, innovative agricultural engineers have developed cotton that grows in a few different attractive natural colors. Also, since there have never been any pesticides used on the cotton, you don’t have to be concerned about there being pesticide residues in the clothing.

Don’t forget that babies also spend a lot of time in contact with their crib sheet and blankets. These items can be found in organic cotton, too. New suppliers are designing attractive organic baby items every day.

If you’re interested in dye-free organic cotton clothes for your baby, they come in various soft natural shades from green and yellow to red-brown and brown. Some baby clothes manufacturers offer designs in patterns using more than one natural color of cotton. The colors don’t fade like dyed colors do, but deepen as the item is used.

While organic cotton is a luscious alternative for dressing your sweet baby, you might want to check out some of the other organic natural fibers that are being used in baby clothes. Fast-growing bamboo is now being used in blankets and shirts. Hemp is often used in diapers and other items as well.

Green babies will appreciate the extra care you take in providing them with organic fiber clothes and other earth friendly items. After all, you’re raising that child with an eye to the future of the planet.

Get ready
If your child is near or has passed his first birthday, you can begin incorporating pre-potty training ideas into his life. They are simple things that will lay the groundwork for potty training and will make the process much easier when you’re ready to begin.

• During diaper changes, narrate the process to teach your toddler the words and meanings for bathroom-related functions, such as pee-pee and poo-poo. Include descriptive words that you’ll use during the process, such as wet, dry, wipe, and wash.
• If you’re comfortable with it, bring your child with you when you use the toilet. Explain what you’re doing. Tell him that when he gets bigger, he’ll put his pee-pee and poo-poo in the toilet instead of in his diaper. Let him flush the toilet if he wants to.
• Help your toddler identify what’s happening when she wets or fills her diaper. Tell her, “You’re going poo-poo in your diaper.” Have her watch you dump and flush.
• Start giving your child simple directions and help him to follow them. For example, ask him to get a toy from another room or to put the spoon in the dishwasher.
• Encourage your child to do things on her own: put on her socks, pull up her pants, carry a cup to the sink, or fetch a book.
• Have a daily sit-and-read time together.
• Take the readiness quiz again every month or two to see if you’re ready to move on to active potty learning.

Get set

• Buy a potty chair, a dozen pairs of training pants, four or more elastic-waist pants or shorts, and a supply of pull-up diapers or disposables with a feel-the-wetness sensation liner.
• Put the potty in the bathroom, and tell your child what it’s for.
• Read books about going potty to your child.
• Let your child practice just sitting on the potty without expecting a deposit.

Go

• Begin dressing your child in training pants or pull-up diapers.
• Create a potty routine–have your child sit on the potty when she first wakes up, after meals, before getting in the car, and before bed.
• If your child looks like she needs to go–tell, don’t ask! Say, “Let’s go to the potty.”
• Boys and girls both can learn sitting down. Teach your son to hold his penis down. He can learn to stand when he’s tall enough to reach.
• Your child must relax to go: read a book, tell a story, sing, or talk about the day.
• Make hand washing a fun part of the routine. Keep a step stool by the sink, and have colorful, child-friendly soap available.
• Praise her when she goes!
• Expect accidents, and clean them up calmly.
• Matter-of-factly use diapers or pull-ups for naps and bedtime.
• Either cover the car seat or use pull-ups or diapers for car trips.
• Visit new bathrooms frequently when away from home.
• Be patient! It will take three to twelve months for your child to be an independent toileter.

Stop

• If your child has temper tantrums or sheds tears over potty training, or if you find yourself getting angry, then stop training. Review your training plan and then try again, using a slightly different approach if necessary, in a month or two.

This article is an excerpt from The No-Cry Potty Training Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Say Good-Bye to Diapers by Elizabeth Pantley.

About the author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry — Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman’s Day magazines. Visit Elizabeth’s web site http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

Question:
Our local public pool offers swimming classes for parents with babies. This sounds like fun, but I’m wondering: Is this something I can do safely with my eight-month-old baby?

Learn about it
Swimming classes can be a fun experience to share with your baby and with other parent-baby pairs. The term “class” in this context shouldn’t mean that your baby will “learn” anything. Until a child is over four years old, any swim program should be viewed as simply a pleasurable way to introduce your baby to the fun of being in the water.

At what age can you take a baby in a pool?
As long as the water and weather are warm enough, you can take any baby over a few weeks old into a pool while in your arms. The younger the baby, of course, the more closely you’ll need to monitor the reaction to the water, and the more careful you’ll need to be about the chill that can occur when wet skin hits cooler air. Keep in mind that your baby will chill before you do, and if your baby is shivering or his lips look blue, he should have been out of the water some time ago. Quickly wrap him up and warm him.

How can I make our swimming experience safe?
The one most important rule for swimming with a young baby is to always keep him in your arms when he’s in or near the water. Always.

How can I help my baby enjoy his first swimming experiences?
When taking your baby for a swim, make sure he isn’t hungry or tired so that he and you can both enjoy the water. Avoid taking a swim immediately after your baby has been fed.

Very young babies don’t really need any floats or swimming aids, since they will not be out of your arms at any time (right?). If you decide to let your older baby float around in a baby boat or swim ring, always keep in mind that these are not designed for safety or protection; you should keep your hands and eyes on your baby at all times.

Follow your baby’s lead. If he seems happy and curious, then move him around in the water. If he seems nervous or frightened, don’t push him beyond his comfort zone. Some babies take time to warm up to the idea of a big body of water, even if they love to splash in the bathtub at home. You may even find that your baby takes numerous trips to the pool or beach before he’s even willing to get wet. Be patient!

How do I choose a class?
Ideally, look for an instructor who has knowledge of child development in addition to swimming. A teacher like this can gear the class activities to the proper developmental abilities of the babies in the group. It’s important to work with a teacher who understands children and can be sensitive to a baby’s fear or uncertainty of the water, and who doesn’t expect a baby to do more than what he is comfortable doing ¾ even if that means just dangling his feet in the water for the first few lessons, or even just looking at it from a deck chair!

What should your baby wear?
At the beach, your baby can wear a diaper, a bathing suit, or a birthday suit ¾ whatever you and he are comfortable with. Many parents keep their babies in a t-shirt to protect against the sun. If your baby is a walker, you might want to invest in some aqua socks to protect little feet against sand, rocks, and shells and to prevent slipping while walking poolside. If you are in a pool, disposable or reusable swim diapers are a great option. These don’t swell up like a sponge, but they do retain the unmentionables that other swimmers would rather not see floating in the water!

Protect your baby from the sun and chemicals
If your swimming extravaganza is taking place outside, be certain that you protect your baby from the sun with a hat and (if the baby is older than six months) sunscreen. This is very important, since the sun’s rays are magnified when reflected off the water.

Be cautious about emerging your baby in a pool that has a high level of chlorine as this may irritate his delicate skin.

Après swim
Remember, just like you, your baby will probably be ravenous after a swim so plan to feed him soon after you’re out of the water. A breastfeed, bottle-feed or snack will keep your baby happy. And a snuggly feed after a swim is extra warm and cozy for both mom and baby.

An important warning
No matter how many swim classes your baby has had, and no matter what his comfort and skill levels while in the water are, and no matter what kind of swimming float he is wearing, you should never, ever leave your baby unattended while in or near water ¾ not for even a second. Babies are unpredictable. They easily can fall into the water and drown even in water just a few inches deep. Swimming lessons for babies have nothing whatsoever to do with reducing the risk of water hazards. As a matter of fact, they can increase the risk of water accidents when parents are lulled into thinking their baby is safer because he has had swimming lessons ¾ which is not the case. Plus, swimming lessons, if they are successful, dispel your baby’s natural wariness about water and make it more likely that he’ll explore on his own if given but a second. You are many years away from watching your child swim independently while you sit on the beach in a lounge chair.

Copyright Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

About the Author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry — Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman’s Day magazines. Visit Elizabeth’s web site http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

Nursery
When you go to register for your baby’s nursery you will probably see a lot of dollar signs. There are all kinds of themed, fancy bedding sets that can cost you hundreds of dollars. That is on top of the cost you have for the crib, dresser, changing table and other furniture items you may choose to buy. In reality the expensive crib bedding will do you little good. It is recommended that you do not use soft comforters and blankets as they can increase the chance of SIDS. Your baby will definitely need sheets and a bumper to protect his head as he starts moving around (before he can sit up), but you can pick up those items very inexpensively, and save the rest of your money for the diapers you are sure to need! 

A crib can be another expensive item. A choice that is growing in popularity is buying a crib that can convert from a crib into a toddler bed. You can even find cribs that convert from a toddler bed into a twin or full size bed for when your baby gets bigger. These are nice because it saves you money down the road when your baby starts eating you out of house and home, and you have school costs piling up.

You can also save money by purchasing a dresser that has an area for changing your baby on top, or one that you can put a pad on to help you change your baby. This cuts out the cost of the changing table that you will not use much probably after your baby’s first birthday. As your baby enters toddler hood and is running and busy you will find that it is often easier to just stop and change your baby where he is playing, or while he is standing, than it is to drag your baby from his toys to his room to change his diaper.

Necessities
While you may think that many things would be great to have, like a diaper wipe warmer, most are actually unneeded and items you could cut out to save a little money. You will definitely need a car seat and stroller, and having a swing and bassinet is a great idea. However the little things like baby food organizers and special dishwasher items are things you can do without. With the exception of the car seat, check out consignment shops and yard sales for the bigger and more expensive items. Generally with a good cleaning, most items could be used again, safely for your baby. Also be sure to check out the recall list put out by the manufacturer of any product that you buy new.

Since your baby is going to grow so fast shopping for clothing at consignment shops, thrift stores or garage sales can save you a lot of money as well. Baby clothes can quickly cause you to go broke if you have to buy them new and because babies out grow them so fast your baby will probably only wear his outfits once or twice before they don’t fit. This is true for most people so you can normally find clean, almost new and sometimes even brand new with tag items at used clothing venues.

Diapers and Baby Food
Both diapers and baby food can be done much more naturally in an effort to keep the max amount of money in your pocket. Disposable diapers are very expensive and alone can take all your money. There are diapering options such as cloth diapering and flushable diapers that can save you a lot of money and some claim will cause less diaper rashes and discomfort for your baby.

Baby food is often around 50 cents a jar on the shelf. It is much more inexpensive to make your own by making extra dinner and using a blender and some breast milk to blend your own veggies and fruits from leftovers. As your baby gets older and stronger you can blend up meats and noodles as well to give to him. You can thin out store bought oatmeal and blend up rice to make your baby’s first cereals. If you choose to do organic food, which is already more expensive, then making your own baby food will save you even extra!

Breastfeeding vs. Formula
Cans of formula are very expensive and can easily be wasted if your baby doesn’t eat as much as you make, or you spill as you are preparing a bottle. Breastfeeding is nature’s way of feeding a baby that is not only the healthiest for the baby but is free! Breastfeeding is the best nourishment that you can give your baby. If you have to use formula be sure to sign up on all the formula websites and look for coupons. You will save a lot of money with coupons and freebies of formula that companies will send you.

Coupons
There are baby coupons in papers almost every Sunday. Whether it is for bath products, diapers or food, be sure to look for these coupons. In the long run the savings will add up! Ask your friends and neighbors to clip their baby coupons for you, or if they don’t clip coupons, ask them if they will give you their batch of coupons. Watch for sales at stores on products you have coupons for, and even watch for stores to do double and triple coupon offers. Take advantage of every money saving offer you can.

One of a baby’s favorite things to grab is long hair. We are not sure why a baby always seems to take a hold of it and yank, but they do! Sometimes it will be difficult to get them to let go as well. If your baby feels like he is falling or knows that you are about to lay him down, he may grab your hair and hold onto it so that you can come too. If you have long hair or a sensitive head, this can hurt and become a problem. 

The same it true if you are wearing a chain or a necklace. This is an item that is easy for your baby to grab a hold of so it is something you should be careful with. The same is true for dangling earrings. There have been situations where a baby has grabbed mom’s earring and ripped it out of mom’s ear.

Mom isn’t the only one to suffer from her baby’s new trick. Dad can get in on the game too! A tie is a nice, long object that is fun for baby to get his hands around. For men who don’t have long hair or wear jewelry, sometimes a tie is the only thing on them that a baby can grab. The way a baby sees it, all is fair in love and war!

There are steps you can take to protect your body and your clothing however. If you have long hair, try to keep it back in a ponytail or in a bun, out of your baby’s reach. If he can’t reach it, he can’t pull it. For jewelry, try to keep it tucked under your clothes when the baby is up, and keep earrings to studs instead of loops or ones that dangle. When dad gets home from work, he can remove his tie before holding the baby, or if out, put his tie over his shoulder. If your baby doesn’t see it there, he probably won’t go looking for it to pull.

You can also try giving your baby something else to hold onto. His favorite toy, a blanket or a rattle will normally do the trick and give him something to grasp. Keep these things with you when you are out, in your diaper bag, to offer to your baby before you pick him up to change him, so that you don’t wind up with your head down, getting a big whiff of his diaper while getting your hair pulled out of your head.

Don’t worry, like all the other stages your baby will go through, this one too shall pass…