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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 figure of $430,470 to raise my baby... and that did not 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 year by 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 are a working and breastfeeding Mother, you are 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 are fresh fork-mashed avocado, banana, sweet potato and the like. If you are breastfeeding, you may be able to delay the introduction of solids until as 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 ones are 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 again for 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 expensive items 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 only gadget they really needed. Baby is happy, stimulated by your activities and entertained. 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 few toys that are rotated. Think back to your own childhood...what were your favorite toys? If you can even remember them, they were probably not loud, flashy electronic battery powered gadgets. Your best childhood memories probably come from activities...playing in Grandma's backyard, going places 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 with all 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 manuals from 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 best deals 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 treated with 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 kids what really matters in life...people, not things! Carrie Lauth publishes an informative newsletter for Moms doing things the natural way. Get your free subscriber goodies at http://www.natural-moms.com
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Alternative Medicine How to Buy a Baby Crib Online A baby crib is one of the most expensive things you will buy for your new baby. You can always go to your local store to shop for a crib, but you may find that your options are limited in terms of finding the perfect baby crib. Plus, it is much easier to sit at home and shop at your own computer than to go from store to store looking at baby cribs. If you decide to shop online for a baby crib, there are a few things you should keep in mind. This article will review a few pointers that will help you safely buy a baby crib online. How to Choose a Baby Bathtub Choosing a baby bathtub is likely one of the easiest decisions you'll have to make when it comes to acquiring supplies for the new arrival. Basically, if it holds water, you are all set. Solving Baby Sleep Problems - Its Time to Sleep If you are a parent with a young child then here's a question that may make you yawn what were you doing this morning at 1am, 3am or 5am. Were you sleeping like a baby or were you in fact cuddling and rocking your little cherub in an attempt to get them back to sleep? After all that's what being a parent is all about isn't it?! 14 Steps To Reducing Your Infants Reflux Many of the things listed below will help with your baby's discomfort and spitting up, eliminating the need for medication. Brainy Babies: Is it Genes, Diet, or Playing the Right Baby Games that Tip the Scales? As parents we all want the very best for our children, so how do we give them a headstart right from conception and in those first important months of life? Theory of Child Cognitive Development Jean Piaget has allowed us many insights into child cognitive development and his valuable research made great inroads concerning brain functioning in general. According to Piaget and his theories on child cognitive development, children are born with a great desire to interact with and understand the world around them. The Personality Traits of a Pisces Baby Your Pisces Baby.. 3 Simple Steps In Searching For A Baby Name 1) BRAINSTORM Luxury Baby Bedding - What to Look For Before You Buy When buying luxury baby bedding, perhaps first decide what style and fabric you like best. When you decide what luxury baby bedding you want, mix and match colors and patterns on your baby's bed. Different flower fabrics mix well with solid or stripe materials, for example, but keep them all in the same color family. When To Start Teaching Your Baby (2) With you or without you, your baby will be learning from the moment she is born and starts to take in her new surroundings. Every sight and sound will be a part of her learning process; she will observe everything you do and listen to every word you say. And as the months pass, she will eventually start to copy. Fully conscious teaching, with books and other articles of learning, will come much later on; but of course, it is entirely up to you. When Not To Begin Potty Training Potty training can be a stressful experience for you and your child. It's best to start potty training when your child has an established daily routine and is not dealing with any additional stress. Potty training should be the only major change in your child's life. Baby Shower Centerpieces That Double as a Gift! Here you will learn how to make and where to purchase your baby shower centerpieces. As the centerpiece is the focal point of the baby shower, it is very important for you to design or purchase the right one. How to Choose a Changing Table As a prospective parent, you may wonder how hard it could possibly be when it comes to learning how to choose a changing table. But you would be surprised at the little details that can make your life easier when you have them, and a nightmare when you don't. On the Road Again Just like Willy Nelson, I could not wait to get on the road again. Potty Training Boys - How To Potty Train Boys - Do You Teach Them to Sit or Stand? I am asked this question by many parents - they all want to know whether to start potty training boys to urinate standing up or sitting down. Potty Training Facts Potty training, toilet training, toilet teaching or toilet learning are names frequently used to describe how kids learn to use the bathroom independently. You Have a New Person at Home: Babys Fourth Month Guide Baby is into her fourth month now. How to Pick the Best Name for Your Baby Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy and delivery books and going to childbirth classes. Yet surprisingly, many decide their child's given name within a matter of minutes, often spending more time selecting the right car seat or stroller. Baby Shower Party Decorations to Liven up Your Baby Shower An excellent source of information providing the perfect baby shower party decorations and baby shower themes. Decorations and themes that are focused and timesavers for the host. Some low cost and effective shower decoration ideas. Five Easy Steps to Potty Train Your Baby NoDon't let your child pee or poop every where and make your life miserable. Try to potty training your child since baby. Starting since newborn is not a bad idea. Some mom say the sooner you potty train your baby the better you find the result. Thus, parents who will let nature take it course will find that it will take a very long time for their child to be dry at night.
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