| |
| |
|
preciousbabiesandtoddlers.com
|
|
|
|
Raising Baby On The Cheap
Have you ever read those reports on the cost of raising a child? The last time I checked, I was told that it would cost the astronomical figureof $430,470 to raise my baby... and that didn't include college tuition! The people who come up with these figures must not be very creative. Some of the best things you can do for your child are free or very inexpensive. Here are some tips for raising kids on the cheap. 1) Breastfeed You can save roughly $1,000 in formula costs alone in your baby's first yearby breastfeeding. Check out this report: http://www.natural-moms.com/cost_of_baby_formula.html This figure doesn't include the extra costs you would incur from Doctor visits and medications. Breastfed babies are less likely to need medical care and don't get sick as often as their formula fed peers. Formula feeding increases a baby's risk of both acute and chronic health problems not only during childhood but well into adulthood. If you're a working and breastfeeding Mother, you're less likely to miss work than if you were formula feeding. In addition, a breastfed baby can go straight from the breast to an open cup,thus eliminating pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups. Even baby food is not necessary. The healthiest first foods for baby arefresh fork-mashed avocado, banana, sweet potato and the like. If you'rebreastfeeding, you may be able to delay the introduction of solids untilas late as 8 or 9 months. 2) Use Cloth Diapers All I am saying...is give cloth a chance! The modern cloth diapers are nothing like Grandma's. The nicer onesare made from high tech materials that wick moisture away from baby, and utilize snaps or velcro to close instead of pins. They save you a lot of money especially if you save them and use them againfor subsequent children. You can buy them cheaply at thrift stores,online auctions, and diaper services (check your phone book for listings).Or ask for cloth diapers as shower gifts. 3) Rethink your Needs Think about what you REALLY need to raise your baby. A lot of the expensiveitems sold in baby stores are completely unnecessary and some are even harmful. Most of the people raising children on the planet today do so without cribs, walkers (which Pediatricians recommend against anyway!),playpens, changing tables, swings, "educational" toys, etc. Many Moms have found that a soft cloth carrier or baby sling was the onlygadget they really needed. Baby is happy, stimulated by your activities andentertained. And Mom can get stuff done! The best toys are simple and classic and require imagination. These are often the least expensive too! And most kids do best with fewtoys that are rotated. Think back to your own childhood...what were yourfavorite toys? If you can even remember them, they were probably not loud,flashy electronic battery powered gadgets. Your best childhood memoriesprobably come from activities...playing in Grandma's backyard, goingplaces with Mom and Dad, the simple things. For the baby stuff you really can't live without... 4) Buy or Obtain Used Let friends know that you welcome hand-me-downs and you'll be blessed withall sorts of great stuff! High quality clothing and baby equipment generally doesn't wear out from just one child's use. For safety, check to make sure items haven't been recalled and get the owner's manualsfrom the manufacturer's websites. (The one exception would be child safety seats.Always buy those new.) Shop at thrift and consignment shops and online auctions. Some of the very bestdeals can be found at regional consignment sales. Check local parenting magazines and websites for the locations of these. Personally, I prefer used clothing because much new clothing has been treatedwith flame retardants and other scary chemicals that can be absorbed into children's softer skin. Being a frugal parent minimizes the impact on the environment,saves you money and models a healthy lifestyle to your kids. Teach your kidswhat really matters in life...people, not things! Carrie Lauth publishes an informative newsletter for Moms doing things the naturalway. Get your free subscriber goodies at http://www.natural-moms.com
MORE RESOURCES:
babies and toddlers - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Babies Born With A Cleft Palate Or Lip As many as one in 700 babies are born with either a cleft palate or cleft lip. Often these can cause a number of related problems including glue ear, crooked teeth and hearing difficulties. Whats With Celebrity Baby Names? It seems that the days of naming your son or daughter with your own name and adding a second, third or a fourth sign in roman numerals at the end are fading away. This seems to be especially the case with celebrities. How to Save Money on Wedding and Baby Shower Favors Planning on having a wedding or baby shower soon? Getting favors is a nice way of saying thank you to your guests for coming. Here are some tips for saving money when purchasing baby shower or wedding favors. How To Deal With Toddler Temper Tantrums It's one of the few things your child can do that will make your cringe. A high-pitched, eardrum shattering, teeth grinding scream that goes on and on and on. Learning Activities For Your Baby Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 yearSharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and tostart him on the road to becoming a reader. What You NeedCardboard or cloth books with large, simple pictures ofthings with which babies are familiar Lift-the-flap, touch-and-feel, or peek-through play books (For suggestions, seeResources for Children,What to Do?Read to your baby for short periods several times a day. Tantrums - Breaking the Cycle Tantrums don't suddenly appear. They are learned. The Top 10 Fun Things for Parents and Toddlers to Play With 1. Give your child a spray bottle of water and watch them spray every possible thing outside of the house!2. A New Baby can be Expensive! A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope to a family. It also brings some uncertainty. Teething Symptoms and How to Treat Them Teething is what your baby experiences when her first set of teeth begins to appear.Some babies will go through this event without a problem. Baby Yoga and Me Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long, very hot summer, I really wasn't in the mood for a work out.As Gwyneth Paltrow and all of my other coat-hanger thin celebrity peers snaked their way, all skin and bone about the tabloids, I scowled and knew that, even if the mood did ever take me as I sat covered in powered milk, I would just never have the time to get back in shape now that I always had my baby in toe. Bye-Bye Bottle It's finally time. My child is old enough to be drinking from a cup; a sippy, if not an open-mouthed one. Steps To Dealing With Your Autistic Child It is most unfortunate that many wonderful parents feel that they lack competence in dealing with their autistic child. It can be strange and depressing to feel like your normal maternal or fatherly instincts can be wrong when it comes with interacting with your own child. Honor Grandma with a Baby Shower for Grandma Throwing a baby shower for grandma could be a great way to commemorate the excitement of becoming a grandmother for the first time. There's nothing like spoiling the little cuties for a day and then sending them home to their parents!But while you have them, you will need to be prepared for them. Young Child Games-But When Do I Stop Playing Baby Games, You Ask? As a baby matures and starts to show the first signs of independence the games that you play will change dramatically. The turning point comes as he progresses from crawling to walking. Backpacking With Children: My Own Adventures When I had my firstborn I thought I new everything there was to know about raising children. I had read all the books, interviewed all my friends, come from a family full of 'wise' people? you get my meaning. Sharing Baby Photos Online with Birth Announcements & Baby Photo Album Services Congratulations! You're a new parent and you've brought your precious, beautiful baby into the world. You want to shout from the rooftops that you have this wonderful bundle of joy and you are so proud! You have seen or heard about online birth announcements before, and realize that they are a quick, easy, and no hassle way of spreading the news of the birth of your precious baby. Facts You Should Know About Baby Shower Etiquette Whether you're hosting a baby shower for the first time or not, chances are you've got some questions regarding the right baby shower etiquette. You want to create a truly special time for the guest of honor without any unintended faux pas. A Baby Shower Cake is the Highlight of the Baby Shower When you're holding a baby shower one of the most important items that you'll serve is the baby shower cake. Cakes should be the highlight of the food lineup and should be served with a selection of desserts, finger food and cookies. Prepare Your Child For Potty Training When your child shows a majority of the signs of potty training readiness, you can start introducing him to the idea of using the potty.Potty Training Books, Videos, & DVDs - Potty training books, videos, and DVDs provide a great opportunity to introduce your child to the idea of using the potty. Favorite Cake Flavors for Baby and Bridal Showers A cake is an excellent treat at any party, especially baby showers and bridal showers. Asides from making a great centerpiece for your snack table, cakes are a delicious treat that everyone will enjoy.
|
|
Powered By: Free Work At Home Business Opportunity! |
| © 2006 |
![[أربيك]](http://www.preciousbabiesandtoddlers.com/websitetranslator/images/flag_ar.gif){kind=small}
