FREE KNEE PADS:
To protect your crawling baby's knees, take a pair of adult's thick, but holey socks, cut off the foot part, fold up the raw edge of the ankle part and zig-zag stitch around. Can be used over bare knees or clothing.
BABY MITTENS:
Thanks to Arlene for this Frugal Baby Tip!
Forget about those tiny mittens for winter babies. Use older brother's or sister's woolly socks - clean, of course! They pull up high enough that baby can't get them off easily, and snow, etc. can't get in either.
INSTANT "BIB":
You'll just need two "suspender" clips and about 10" (25cm) of fabric elastic to be able to make a bib for your baby, instantly, wherever you are. Just fold each end of the elastic around the loop of one of the "suspender" clips and stitch. Now you can use this handy "gadget" to clip a washcloth (or two, for heavy
droolers!) or hand-towel around baby's neck. Or store it in your diaper bag for "on-the-go", and use it with the restaurant's napkins.
Other Uses: With a shorter piece of elastic and two more clips, you can make "mitten clips" (attach one end to mitten, other end to sleeve) or even "shoe clips" for those little ones that like to kick off their shoes! (Fasten one end at back of shoe, the other end to pant leg.)
EASY BABY ROMPERS:
Make your baby a really cute-looking romper from an older child's T-shirt or tank top. Just make sure the hem of the shirt hangs a few inches lower than the baby's diaper crotch.
Stitch 2"-3" of Velcro® loop (or 2-3 snap "heads") on the inside of the hem, centre-front, and 2"-3" of Velcro® hook (or 2-3 snap "holes") on the outside of the hem, center-back. If you find the neck opening a bit too big, just overlap the fabric at the back of the neck, and add a dot of Velcro® or one snap to hold it closed.
Then you just slip your new baby romper onto your baby, and fasten at the crotch - how adorable!!
LESS SLIPPERY SOCKS:
Thanks to Lisa for this Frugal Baby Tip!
As my baby is just starting to learn how to walk and it is cold in the evenings (the reason for not being barefoot), instead of buying socks with grips on the soles already, we buy the socks in the bulk bag and use puffy paint on the soles. If applied properly, this doesn't peel off (if your worried about this, you can also get the non-toxic kind). You can write anything you want, or draw pictures, and baby has a better grip on the floor.
BABY LAUNDRY BAG:
Thanks to Beth for this Frugal Baby Tip!
I use an old pillowcase for a laundry bag in the baby's room. It's attached to the changing table by a diaper pin. It keeps all of baby's dirty things together and when it's time to wash, everything can be dumped right into the washing machine, including the pillowcase! :)
EASY NURSING SHIRT:
Layer one crop top, blouse, shirt, etc. over an old T-shirt or tank top (mix or match colours!). Cut two nursing slits in the T-shirt and hem edges. The top layer shirt will provide discreet coverage, yet your baby will still have easy access to nurse.
FREE NURSING PADS:
Take an old cotton T-shirt, and cut it up into 6" circles. Place 3 to 6 circles on top of each other and sew two rows of stitching near the outer edge, about 1/8" apart, to prevent the edges from unravelling. These make very comfortable nursing pads, that don't slid around as much inside your bra.
MAKE-YOUR-OWN CLOTH MENSTRUAL PADS:
Here's one for Mom today! Cut out three layers of 100% cotton fabric (i.e. flannelette or terry cloth) into an 8.5"x10" (21.5cm x 25cm) rectangle. Round corners. Pile together.
Stitch all around, using either a zigzag stitch or a serge stitch. Cut out two wings 6":x6" (15cm x 15cm), shaped like this =O=.
Fold each wing in half, and zigzag or serge stitch all raw edges. Centre wings on the pad, about 2.25" (5.5cm) from either long edge, with straight edge of wings facing straight edge of the pad. Looks something like this [_[)(]_], though the wings will be overlapping.
Sew a straight seam,
catching in the wings, 2.5" (6.5cm) from both long edges. Either sew Velcro® on wings or use hammer-on snaps. Fold the pad in thirds, and fasten the wings underneath the fold.
Now you have a super-absorbent 9-layer menstrual pad that opens up for easy washing and quick drying!
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