Diapering for almost free?

Yes, you can do it! I have been researching this pretty strongly lately. Going from $2500 to $25 on the diapering yearly bill!

Our first child I really wanted to cloth diaper and we did for a little while. I loved cloth diapering but didn't know what I was doing. Once, the cloth diapers were too small for her, I couldn't get my husband to pay for more. I couldn't blame him. We didn't have a whole lot of money to put up front for cloth diapers to do it again and again, whenever she grew. Cloth diapering can be much cheaper... but you have to fork out lots of money to save money, or so I thought! Disposables where easy to pay 10 dollars here and there. Although we spent lots of money in the long run it was easier to  handle, since we were living paycheck to paycheck. I tried making cloth diapers but didn't understand how you use them etc... They turned out a mess. So, I have some new information this time around and more time to figure things out! I am going to try it again. Here are some sources of information. Just click on the links to get some awesome information.

Cloth wipes- I tried this the first time and didn't work out... I heard you can use baby wash cloths instead of buying expensive online ones. Score! Recipe for solution... Even cheaper!

Types of diapers- This is part of why my first experience failed. I had no idea you pair this with that.

Cleaning your diapers- Good to know! I did learn some of this but with the first we had an apartment with no outdoor space... this time I will be able to line dry on sunny days!

Buying and Selling your diapers- I get so overwhelmed online trying to figure this out! Glad I won't need too much of this info... Since I will be sewing mine and making them gender neutral for the next baby.

Cloth diapering on the go- We didn't do this at all since I had no idea how to. This time we will!

Wet bag- Oh so that is how you go places... ;)

HOW TO DO THIS ALMOST FREE!

Now that you are educated all about cloth diapers...

I found several you tube videos that woman used fabrics around their house to make their stash. I have a ton of sweatshirts and fabric scraps etc... that I could use. This lady is very frugal and I love how she makes things from around the house. It got me thinking about things here at home or things to buy at yard sales... since you know I am a yard sale diva.

So by far I love this website! Download the diaper pattern and print it for free! Then download the Tiny Tooshie diaper pattern. She has some wonderful information so please read it all. She says that you will spend about $.50-$2 on each diaper by following her pattern. One-size diapers are anywhere from $18-$35 a piece. What a savings! If you can mainly use everything from home you can make your entire stash of cloth diapers for the price of 1 week worth of disposables! I am in!

Note: PUL can be replaced with heavy duty vinyl table cloth! Will be doing this!

More websites full of info:

Sew a diaper stash for $30 or less

All in One pattern- most like disposable diapers and easy for dads to change

Pocket Diapers pattern

Fleece Pockets

Trim prefolds

Make wipes and solution

Sewing diapers know how

Breast Is Best and Cheaper To!

I have been watching my cousins baby. She nurses some when mom is home, but when mom is at work she takes formula. Being my cheap self  I wanted to just see how much it may cost to formula feed. I found someone saying $60 per week an average price $35.  Every baby varies on how much and what kind of formula price will vary. By giving your baby chemicals and upset stomach you are going to pay somewhere around $150/month. On average that is almost $2,000/year! That is a lot of money!

The little baby I was watching just cried so much and was so demanding on me. She needed to burp every 2 oz she drank. It was like I was either warming a new bottle burping her or feeding her all day long. She is a sweet baby, I just felt so bad for her. All I wanted to do was stick her on my boob, and help her feel better. I kept remembering when I would put my little baby in a little back pack and she could nurse while I did other things. Nursing is just so much easier!

I know that it is not for everyone to nurse... but not everyone knows all the benefits. So I thought today I might just express some of my feelings in this tip. As I said earlier I am pregnant with #2. I am actually still nursing #1 on occasion sick/ won't nap, mainly. I have had lots of criticism for nursing my 2 year old and under peer pressure I stopped nursing her a month after her 2nd birthday. A couple months after when I was  on vacation visiting my sister she got really sick. Far from a doctor and no insurance for another state... I felt like I should try to nurse her. She was happy to nurse again and so I nursed my 2+ year old back to health. Her 103 degree temperature dropped. I hardly even had any milk, but my milk came back in. It was a heaven sent since, I thought I would have to take her to the hospital.

Now, I was very excited to breastfeed from the start with our first child. After coming home from the hospital I had no idea what would hit me! My dream of taking my little my bundle of joy home and cuddling her was short lived. The engorgement was the worst ever for me. Thank heaven for my sister in law who held my little one while I tried to figure out how to get rid of the pain. (This isn't to scare you first time moms I am only sharing my story to prepare you.) I remember thinking, " should I really go through with this nursing thing? Is it always terrible like this?" I didn't know I was making it worse by pumping and applying heat. At last I found help from ice packs and Lansinoh nipple latch assistant. I was too engorged for my baby to latch this was a life saver. I have to admit, it was a little steep, but I would do it again! Over all the $7 for the latch assistant is much better then the $35/week for formula.

Wither you decide to nurse or bottle feed you will go through this engorgement period for next 3 days to a week of pain. I said if I ever get through this it is better that I do and provide for my baby then to do it and not. Breastfeeding is simple and usually painless after the engorgement is over. So first time mommies... you can do it!

I found this TIMELINE for breastfed babies and if you are needing the strength to continue breastfeeding or are unsure this is a great informative website.

If you need to defend yourself as a breast feeder... like I have had to do from time to time here are great argument comebacks and health information.

http://www.thealphaparent.com/2012/01/how-to-win-any-breastfeeding-argument.html

Cloth Diapering Even Cheaper!

Well... I have some news. I am expecting number 2! Pretty excited. Yet even more expensive. Trying to do my part and save money I tried cloth diapering with our first.  Unfortunately once she grew out of the one size we bought, I couldn't convince my hubby to buy more. We ended up going to disposables. Ughhh. So after we spent twice the price on disposables I would rather try cloth again. I stumbled upon this site today. If you live in Utah there is this awesome cloth diapering donation bank. For a $20 fee you get to borrow 24 diapers! Wow! That is like the price of 1! Otherwise I was thinking of going with one size diapers which I have mixed feeling about. So I think we might try this out.
http://clothdiaperutah.org/Cloth_Diaper_Donations.html

If you don't live in Utah they still have free patterns if you are interested in this!