What are some ways that you save money with caring for a little one? Do you use cloth diapers? Would you ever consider using them? Are there any other things that you would never do to save money caring for your little one? Here are some methods for caring for a baby the frugal way. Let us know if you think some of these ideas are smart or if they border on being fanatically frugal:
Ditch the Disposables
Really frugal parents use cloth diapers. That is all there is to it. Apparently then, I don’t know any really frugal parents. If you want to save even more, don’t buy baby wipes. Instead, use wet rags to wipe baby’s bottom. Clean them thoroughly with bleach and detergent and hang them to dry in between uses.
Heal Diaper Rash for Free
To heal diaper rash without any cost, expose baby’s bottom to fresh air for a half an hour several times throughout the day. One safe way to do this is to lay out a towel or blanket over a waterproof surface and let baby play on that after every diaper change. If you use baby powder to prevent or treat diaper rash, consider switching to cornstarch. Not only is this less expensive, but some would argue that it is much more natural than baby powders which can actually irritate a baby’s sensitive skin.
Make Your Own Baby Food
Buying small jars of food made “especially for baby” is extremely expensive. What is the real difference between the green beans in the small jar and those that you feed the rest of your family? Basically, the main difference is that baby green beans are made with only green beans and water, instead of adding seasonings or butter like you and I are accustomed to. Buy frozen vegetables or low-sodium canned products to make your own baby food and save a fortune. Check out this article for tips on making your own baby food.