Back to Bsaics: The Great Nappy Crisis of 2020

Here in Melbourne, due to panic buying induced by COVID-19 hysteria, most supermarkets have been sold out of disposable nappies for days. I know Wendy has been looking for nappies for her two grandbabies. And Hannah was talking to a man at Bunnings who has 8 month old twins and they couldn't get nappies. Then we had Anne, a member with four babies in nappies, who was struggling to find them.

All I could come up with as a solution was cloth. And I don’t mean MCN or Modern Cloth Nappies. Those things are hideously expensive and not practical for this crisis.

I mean old-school, cloth nappies;  towelling or flannel squares .

And they are cheap - a dozen cost:
Big W $25, or just over $2 (and they're in stock and available online) or $20 at B
Baby Bunting $20
Target $22
Kmart $19 (check the quality of the towelling - thicker is better).

Two dozen is more than enough for one or two babies; the average baby goes through 6 - 8 nappies a day, so two dozen if you wash them every day should be plenty. 

Then you'll need nappy pins or elastics, pilchers of some kind (I liked Fluffies, not sure if they're still around), liners (not necessary but they save scrubbing stains), a tub of soaker (on half-price sale at Coles this week and a bucket with a lid.

The easiest fold is the triangle and if you've never used cloth nappies, I suggest you go for the easiest fold. Fold the square in half on the diagonal, and then in half again on the diagonal for small babies. Bigger bubs and toddlers just do the one fold.

Pop baby on the nappy, bring the point of the triangle up, wrap the ends around and pin in place. Now these cloth nappies aren't water- or wee-proof so that's where the pilchers come in. They're the waterproof pants that go on over the nappy.

With cloth nappies they'll need to be changed more often than in disposables.

Just put the dirty nappy in the bucket of soaker (flush any solids first). Do this with all the nappies during the day. Next morning dump them in the washing machine and run a rinse load. Peg them out on the line to dry.

I found it easier to fold them as they came off the line and stack them in the baby's room, ready to be used, than trying to fold the nappy while a wriggly bub was trying to escape.

I've been told they're a lot of work, but they're not really.

Fold them as you take them off the line.
Drop them in the bucket to soak when you change baby.
Rinse and dry every morning.
Repeat.

The thing that will be the most time consuming will be hanging them out and bringing them in, and honestly if it takes you more than 10 minutes to hang out 8 nappies, you're moving too slow!

Now you don't need to rush out and buy nappies. Get creative. Visit some op shops and buy up flannelette sheets. Cut them to size, hem and voila - flannel nappies.  Give them a wash in hot water, let them dry in the sun and they're ready to go.

When you can get a single bed flannelette sheet for $2 - $5 and it will make around 15 nappies, they're cheap. And pretty, well prettier than plain white. 
To make a couple dozen nappies will take about an hour.

And when the crisis is over, and stores are stocked again, you'll have some decent cleaning cloths that will last you years and years.

So if you're really stuck for nappies, and can't afford MCNs, go old school and when stocks are back to normal, you can go back to disposables. Or not - you may find you prefer good old cloth nappies.

Everyday Ways to Live Like a Cheapskate - Part 1 Babies

1. Join free baby clubs for free samples, discount coupons and special offers (AMCAL, Coles Baby & Toddler Club etc.). Use the points you collect for free nappies, dummies, formula etc.

2. Check your local pharmacy for baby supplies. Formula, nappy creams, baby wash and nappies are often cheaper at the Chemist than the supermarket.

3. Save on disposable nappies by buying in bulk when discount department stores have percentage off sales. If storage is a problem lay-by enough to get you through to the next sale.

4. Ordinary cornflour is a great baby powder and at under a dollar for a 500g packet is a great money saver too.

5. Treat nappy rash and sore bottoms with bi-carb soda in the bath. Add a good handful, let it dissolve and sit baby in the water until he is ready to get out.

6. Make your own nappy disposal system from a bucket with a lid and a roll of kitchen bin liners. Save around $350 a year.

7. Most baby products are overpriced. From one queen size mattress protector you can make three cot sized protectors, and all for less than the cost of one cot sized protector.

8. Buy in bulk online. You can buy nappies, formula and other baby essentials online; have it delivered to your door and save money too!

9. Get together with other mums and swap baby clothes, toys, furniture etc. Babies grow out of their stuff; they don't generally wear it out so while it may be second-hand, it's still in great condition.

MOO Monday: Homemade Baby Rice Cereals

Michelle writes "A tip for you on feeding your baby... discovered as a cost saving exercise purely by accident! I am a bit of a greenie and look into foods a little more closely than most would. When my little fella was born I discovered that most baby foods have fillers and thickeners in them and rice cereals didn't seem to go far at all - my little man sat there looking at me like "is that it?" after he finished the recommended portion size so I was going through truck loads of these tiny packets. I ended up going to the health food store and bought a kilo of wholemeal rice flour, millet flour and what ever other flours were used in these meals, I think I had about 4 different kinds. Anyway they cost me about $2 a kilo and I created a little mixture every morning and cooked it up on my stove. These lasted me months, I tell you months! In fact I still have some millet and rice flour two years down the track! I actually saved hundreds of dollars compared to what I would have spent on packets."


I did this with my own babies, using rice flour. I made a "porridge" of rice flour for them and they loved it. As they grew up, I added an egg to the mixture. Now they are really grown-up (23, 21 & 18) they still love ground rice porridge - and it's really cheap, too! - Cath

I MOOed a Nappy Genie

It's been a long time since I had to deal with nappies, but anything to make life easier, like Sharyn's MOOed nappy bin, put a smile on my face. If you use disposable nappies you'll love this idea.

"I was keen to buy one of those Nappy Genie bins but could not justify the expense especially after realising that after purchasing the bin at around $60 you then need to buy refill cartridges for $19.95! Not to be discouraged I went to Crazy Clarks and bought a pedal bin for $6 and lined it with plastic shopping bags, layered one inside the other. Wet nappies are OK as they aren't smelly, but once I get a dirty one I simply open the lid, tie off using the handles of the bag and take it outside to the wheelie bin. I am saving a small fortune not having to buy plastic bag refill cartridges every month and I still have the convenience of the bin."

Go Thrifty When Buying for your new Baby

If you are a first-time parent, you will more than likely want everything brand new for baby, I know I did. However, if you are a first time parent there is also a great chance that you are looking to save money, as well.

Going thrifty doesn't mean you love your baby any less; it just means that you are financially wise and realize that baby will grow out of just about everything before you have even paid your credit card bill.

Consignment shops are a great place to buy gently used baby goods. The majority of consignment shops will not buy anything unless it is in good condition. These shops will offer you designer clothing, layettes, furniture and baby gear for a fraction of the cost of new.

Once you realize how quickly your baby will grow, you won't mind shopping in a consignment store at all. You can buy the most adorable layout and outfits in size 0000 up for cents on the dollar compared to new. Your baby will look adorable and you'll be smiling from ear to ear at the savings you have made.

You can find some very basic items at garage sales for too. When Disaster Struck and we had a baby on the way and absolutely no spare money, one of the first things I learned to do was shop at garage sales for the children's clothes. I picked garage sales in the more affluent suburbs, set a budget of no more than $1 per outfit and off I'd go. I picked up Peter Rabbit, Fred Bare, Pumpkin Patch and other "designer" labels for between 50 cents and $1 each. Some of them were brand new, still had the labels attached.

If you find a sale with a lot of things you want to buy, don't forget to haggle. Offer to buy them all for a fixed amount rather than as individual items. Chances are you'll get a real bargain and the seller will be glad to not have anything left at the end of the day.

Toys are a big seller at garage sales and usually all that needs to be done is a good soak and washing and baby will have a new musical toy to drift him or her off to sleep or a set of stacking blocks for later on when baby grows bigger. Our Fisher Price farmhouse came from a garage sale for $2. The Micro Machines they boys played with for years (we still have them) cost $2.50 for a shoebox full. Duplo and Lego were my favourite toy buys at garage sales and I never paid more than $5, and that was for a huge bin full of Lego. Hannah's genuine Baby Born cot was $1 at a garage sale. It was a little grimy which is why it was so cheap. We brought it home, carefully took the cover off and soaked it then washed it, washed all the frame, put it back together and it was as good as new.

Books are another favourite garage sale buy. I never paid more than 10 cents for a children's book. I'd buy as many as I could find and put them away for rainy day treats and rewards for good behaviour.

When buying toys, however, make sure not to buy anything will small parts and pieces, especially used. Buy things like building blocks or books so that you know baby will be safe.

Garage sales are also an excellent resource for buying second sets of anything. If you will be returning to work and baby is going to visit Grandma once or twice a week, you can buy a highchair or even a second stroller to leave at Grandma’s so you don't have to lug those things with you every time you visit.

Our twin stroller cost $30 at a garage sale. The spare travel cot was $15.

Another great way to get baby items for free is to barter with someone. You might be looking to pass on your maternity clothing while someone else is looking to get rid of his or her cot or stroller. Bartering is a great way to exchange goods without spending a dime!

Let’s face it; having a baby today is so very expensive. Utilizing consignment shops, garage sales and bartering is a great way to go thrifty when shopping for baby.

Making Your Home Green for a New Baby

Many women go through what is known as the “nesting stage” just before baby is born, I did, going into a cleaning frenzy before each baby. The best way to travel through this phase of cleaning and preparing for baby is to do it the all-natural way.

There are so many homemade cleaning products that you can use on your home, that going green for a healthy baby is a wise choice indeed. Not only is it good for your newborn it is also great for you and your unborn baby to clean with all-natural ingredients.

You can use many ingredients in your home for cleaning.

· Vinegar
· Lemon Juice
· Bicarbonate Soda
· Borax
· Microfibre cloths instead of paper towels
· Laundry soap
· Washing Soda

I've left essential oils off that list because not all essential oils are safe for pregnant women or newborns. Check with your doctor before you use any essential oils, for cleaning or any other purpose while pregnant.

Before AJ was born our family doctor told me I'd have to lower my standards and let the house get a little dusty and the baby crawl on the floor and play in the dirt or he'd never build up immunity to common germs.  He suggested I start by ditching the bleaches and disinfectants I used in cleaning.

One of the best ways to green your home is to use good old-fashioned common sense. Hot water and soap does wonders for hand washing, cleaning dishes, benches, baths, tables, highchairs and even floors. It is not necessary to sterilize your hands with antibacterial soaps and liquids. Some of these contain many unnecessary ingredients that you do not want to handle your baby with after using.

Laundry detergents that contain many fragrances do smell nice, but can have added chemicals that are not good for baby. Making your own is a great way to get clothes clean and keep baby safe while going green.

Make sure to stay away from chemical-laden cleaners. You may think you are doing the right thing, but more chemicals are not better. Buy all natural if you don't want to make your own.

And lastly, look at the heating and cooling system in your home. It is always a good idea to have your vents and ducts cleaned, but it is even more important to have them done before baby is born. Dirty vents and ducts can allow toxins into the air.

Making sure that your heating system is up and running and that your flue is cleaned out and working properly are essential to keeping your heating system running effectively, saving energy, but possibly also saving lives.

By switching a few chemical based cleaners for safer, green cleaners you can ensure that you have a green home for your new little baby.

Nappy Bucket Fresheners

These little discs work so well and are so simple you'll wonder why some genius hasn't decided to market them and charge a small fortune! Be glad you've found this post, you'll just love using them.

If you are using cloth nappies, just pop a couple in the bottom of the nappy bucket to keep the odour down, then tip the whole lot into the wash. Easy.

We are well past the nappy bucket stage in our house, but I still make up these little discs and slip them into the laundry hamper in the bathroom. I also put them into organza bags (from the $S Shop a while ago) and slip them into the boys' shoes and boots to help with the odour.

Nappy Bucket Fresheners

You will need:
2 cups bicarbonate soda
1 tsp peppermint oil
Cold water
Paper patty pans

Step 1. Stir the oil into the bicarb soda.

Step 2. Add just enough cold water to make a very thick paste.

Step 3. Press enough mixture into the bottom of each patty pan so it's about 2cm thick.

Step 4. Put them on a cake rack to dry and harden.

To use, just drop two or three into the bottom of your nappy bucket. When you're ready to soak the nappies tip the whole lot into the machine and soak and wash as usual.

If you are using disposable nappies, drop two into the bottom of your nappy bin and then when it's full dispose of as usual.
These make a cute and useful gift for new mothers. Make a batch and store them in a ziplock bag. To present them tie them up in a little organza bag and add to a hamper or gift.

It's a Boy!

At last, a brand new prince has been born. Congratulations to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cambridge, I am sure they are very proud new parents to their baby boy.

We are in the middle of a baby boom at the moment. Our wonderful neighbours G and M welcomed their first grand-daughter a fortnight ago, and she is just gorgeous. We have friends waiting patiently for the birth of their second baby, who is now eight days overdue (perhaps that waiting isn't quite so patient). Old friends (we met when our eldest children started primary school) are going to be grandparents for the first time too, and their eldest son will become a father. Then in September we have friends who will be welcoming baby number three to their family.

So many new lives entering the world, some creating happy families, some completing them.

I remember how excited Wayne and I were at the birth of each of our children, and if any of these new parents and parents-to-be are half as excited there is a lot of joy in their homes.

With this baby boom I've been putting together some little gifts. My knitting needles have been clacking away, creating cute little bonnets and helmets and bootees. I've had the crochet hook working too, making granny squares to put into little blankets and the sewing machine has had a workout, running up bibs and burp cloths and I've even made a couple of stork bundles.

My favourite thing when our children were small was the pull-over bib. So easy to get on and off, I had dozens of them.

They are really easy to make too, no special skills required.

How to Make a Pullover Baby Bib

You will need:
1 hand towel
30cm x 8cm piece of ribbing (either a contrast or matching the hand towel)
thread to match
sharp scissors
pins
sewing machine or overlocker

The hand towel I used came from Big W, in a twin pack for $3.00, making it $1.50. The ribbing I used for this bib was cut off the bottom of a white singlet and doubled over. If you are using regular ribbing you only need to cut one piece and fold it in half.

Step 1.
Fold the top of the hand towel 1/3 of the way down, and mark this line — this will be the centre of your circle opening.

Step 2.
Centre a 15cm saucer over the line marked in Step 1.
This will form the cutting line for the head hole of the bib.

Step 3.
Cut along the line, through both thicknesses.
Open the towel out flat.

Step 4.
Stitch ends of ribbed knit to make a circle with a 6mm seam allowance. Fold in half so seam allowance is inside.

Step 5.
Divide ribbing into quarters and mark with pins. Divide hole into quarters and mark with pins.
Place raw edge of ribbing along the opening in the bib (right side), matching pins and markings and stretching as necessary.

Stitch a 6mm seam — I used my overlocker and simply overlocked the raw edges together. If you are not using an overlocker, I would recommend a stretch stitch and zigzagging
the raw edges together to neaten.

The finished bib

Easy enough to put on and take off with one hand and big enough to cover almost all of baby and a fair bit of a toddler at meal time, with plenty of towel for wiping faces and hands and even mums :)

Stork Bundles

These are a lovely gift for a new mum, and yes, they get their name from the baby bundles left by the mythical stork. They are easy to make, taking only a few minutes and look really cute when you hand them over. Best of all they are inexpensive and anyone, no matter how creative, can whip one up in just a few minutes.

You will need:
10 new born disposable nappies
10 rubber bands
a length of ribbon
one bunny rug

Step 1. Roll each nappy like a Swiss roll and secure with a rubber band.

Roll each nappy like a Swiss roll and secure with a rubber band

Step 2. To assemble the bundle, fold the bunny rug in half lengthwise and then in half again, creating a long strip.

Fold the blanket in half lengthwise, then in half lengthwise again

Step 3. Lay the folded blanket in front of you and stack four rolled nappies in the centre.Stack three nappies on top of the first four, then two nappies, and then one on the top.

Step 4. Fold the ends of the blanket up to help hold the nappies in place. Make sure the top of the bunny rug is even on both sides.

Step 5. Tie the ends of the blanket together with a ribbon, attaching a teething ring or dummy to the ribbon.

The instructions are for a stork bundle made with disposable nappies, which, despite their environmental issues, will make life easier for the new mother in those first few days before she gets into a routine - please don't point the cost, dollar, environmental or otherwise out to me before you finish reading.

But stork bundles can be made up with anything that will roll - not just disposable nappies. I've made them with cloth nappies and with face washers, and even a bundle of flannelette bunny rugs with great success. A bundle of MCNs would make a lovely and very useful gift too.  You could use bibs, jumpsuits, singlets - anything at all that will roll up. Use your imagination!

All these things are very handy with newborns, and you can never have too many nappies, face washers or bunny rugs as they all have so many uses.

Click here to watch a How To Make a Stork Bundle video

Make a Crunchy Caterpillar

You don't need to buy the latest toy, that requires batteries, and not imagination, to keep baby happy. This caterpillar will keep little ones happy and amused for hours and it costs almost nothing to make. Best of all, because it's so easy and frugal, when it gets grotty, make a new one!

You will need:
Brightly coloured tights - baby, child or adult depending on how big you want your caterpillar to be.
1 packet of cellophane
1m narrow ribbon in a contrasting colour
Sharp scissors

Step 1. If you are using old tights, make sure they are washed and clean.

Step 2. Snip off  one leg. If using baby tights cut the leg off at the top. If you are using children's or adult's tights, cut them off 45cm or 75cm above the toe.

Step 3. Cut the packet of cellophane into 5 strips. Unfold each strip and scrunch it loosely. Stuff the 5 strips into the stocking. Tie a knot in the end.

Step 4. Cut the ribbon into 20cm lengths. Tie a piece of ribbon between each ball of cellophane. Secure ribbon with a double knot.

Step 5. Name your bug and give it to baby to play.

Cloth v Disposable - That is the question

In the latest Bright Ideas newsletter Erica asked the question "cloth V disposable nappies" and the answers came flooding in!  I have to admit it's been a few years since I had to make this decision so I was interested in the answers. What surprised me most was the number of answers that said cloth were just as expensive as disposable and way too much work.

Back in my day (doesn't that make me sound old?) I had a choice of cloth or disposables. The disposables were expensive, very expensive. And the cloth were either towelling or flannelette squares.

I opted for the towelling, flannelette was just to thin to be absorbent enough for my satisfaction.  I also had just the one choice: use plastic pants (pilchers they used to be called) or Fluffies, made from micro fleece, for over-pants. I went with the micro fleece - they were soft on baby, extremely waterproof and flexible enough to fit around legs and waist for leaks and they washed and dried very quickly.

I remember after AJ was born Mum stayed for a week. It was lovely, I was able to look after my new baby and rest when he did. Then she went home, which was OK. The fridge and freezer were full, the house fairly sparkled and all the washing and ironing was up to date. I waved her off, confident that all would be well. She had left us in a very good place.

So the first morning after she'd gone I was sitting down, gazing tenderly at my beautiful, sleeping baby. And it hit me. Nappies! I would have to do the nappies! Since we'd come home from hospital Mum had been doing the nappies. I would take off the wet or dirty one and it would miraculously be replaced by a nice, soft, clean, fluffy, folded nappy. Oops!

I laugh about it now but at the time it was panic stations.

Actually I didn't mind doing nappies. They really weren't hard or expensive (I don't know why everyone thinks soaking cloth nappies is expensive, it really isn't).

I had a nappy bucket with a lid, which lived in the laundry sink (never, ever, ever leave a nappy bucket, even with a tight lid, full or empty, anywhere a baby or toddler can get into it or use it to climb on). Thankfully we had a bypass for the washing machine so I wasn't lifting it in and out all the time. 

Every morning I would empty the nappy bucket into the washing machine and run the nappies through the rinse cycle, with the water level set to full and on cold rinse.  There may only have been a dozen nappies but they needed the water to let them swish around and rinse properly, so full water it was.

While the nappies were rinsing and spinning I would rinse the bucket and refill it with hot water. Add in two level caps of nappy soaker and it was ready to go!

Now the direction on the soaker I used (which was the Jewel generic) was two capfuls to 15 litres of water and that would be enough to soak 6 nappies. Yeah right!

I soaked as many nappies as would fit in the bucket.

It went like this:

Wet nappies and liners were put straight into the bucket.

Dirty nappies had the liner emptied into the toilet and then into the bin. If the nappy was stained I would rub it with laundry soap, give it a scrub with a nail brush, rinse and drop into the bucket.

In summer the nappies were line dried, in winter the house looked like a Chinese laundry - clotheshorses and nappies all over the place.

They would dry overnight and next morning I'd fold them and put them back on the change table, ready to be used again.

It only took a few minutes a day to have soft, clean, white nappies and it only cost around 70c a week for the soaker. The only hot water used was to fill the nappy bucket each morning and even doing the high water level rinse the water bill didn't go up noticeably.

For me, cloth nappies were by far the cheaper alternative.

I did use disposable liners. I cut them in half, they were way too big, and they were soaked and washed and re-used until the fell apart. One box of 100 liners ($1.99) lasted me almost two years - that's a lot of nappy changes.

I saved disposable nappies for when we went to Sydney. Wayne's mum wasn't set up for cloth nappies so I'd buy a bulk pack of disposables and cringe at the price. I hated the way they'd fill the rubbish bin and sit, stagnating and fermenting, until the rubbish was collected. Disposables meant having to buy nappy sacks (or finding other bags to put them in) and that grated a little too, what a waste to pay for a bag just to throw it out, almost as much as it grated to spend money we couldn't really afford just to throw out a nappy.

And even back then, nappies in landfill were a problem.

My babies never had nappy rash in cloth and the nappies were always white. The secret wasto never let them sit in a dirty or wet nappy and the rinsing - always on high water level. They needed a goodly amount of water to rinse thoroughly.  Properly rinsed they would dry white and soft, and with no residues from soaker or soap there was nothing to irritate baby's bottom.

I loved my cloth nappies and they were used for tiny bottoms and as over-the shoulder protection for me, I used them as liners in the pram and to wipe up dribbles and burps. 

I started with three dozen and added a dozen when Tom was born and another dozen when Hannah was born.

I still have a dozen stashed in the linen cupboard. I use them as dusters and polishing cloths and to wipe up spills.

The other four dozen were in such good condition when I had finished with them that the went to the local volunteer fire brigade to use as kerchiefs.  The fire fighters would wet them then fold them into a triangle and tie them around their nose and mouth when they were working in thick smoke.

Now Mums have the choice of traditional cloth, disposables or MCNs .

How convenient are the MCNs. An all-in-one solution to one of a new mother's biggest problems.

Yes if I were to do it all over again, I would still go cloth, MCN cloth, without a doubt. But cloth all the way.

I received so many replies to Erica's question, and the have all been uploaded to the Nappies and Toilet Training page in the Tip Store.

Crochet a Cute Hat

This is a very cute baby hat that can be worked quickly. I made the first two in around 2 1/2 hours while I was chatting to our visitors this weekend. Then my gorgeous daughter saw them and decided she would like one so with a simple change in yarn and a few extra increase rounds I made her one too.

The instructions are for a baby hat. The size is newborn - 3 months, and coming up to winter newborns will need a warm hat to keep their little heads and ears warm and toasty. 

Use 4 ply baby wool or bamboo and a 4.5mm crochet hook and is worked in simple single crochet (sc). This little hat is worked in the round so there are no seams to sew up.

To start: ch 3. Join with a sl st into the 1st ch.

1st round: Work 10 sc into the circle. It will be tight, the circle is very small.

2nd round: Work 1sc into each stitch - 10sc

3rd round: *Work 1sc into first stitch, 2sc into next stich. Repeat from * to end - 20 sc

4th round: Work 1sc into each stitch - 20 sc

5th round: *Work 1sc into first two stitches, 2sc into third stitch. Repeat from * to end - 30 sc

6th round: Work 1sc into each stitch - 30 sc

7th round: *Work 1 sc into first three stitches, 2 sc into fourth stitch. Repeat from * to end - 40 sc

8th round: Work 1 sc into each stitch - 40 sc

9th round: *Work 1sc into first four stitches, 2 sc into fifth stitch. Repeat from * to end - 50 sc

10th round: Work 1 sc into each stitch - 50 sc

11th round: *Work 1 sc into first five stitches, 2 sc into sixth stitch. Repeat from * to end - 60 sc

12th round: Work 1 sc into each stitch - 60 sc.

Repeat 12th round until work measures approximately 15cm from beginning.

Tie off end. Weave in yarn ends.

Turn up edge to make brim.


Sc: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

To make a bigger hat, simply keep increasing every second round, following the increase pattern, until the hat is the size you want.

For older children and adults use 8 or 12 ply wool.

Get more wear from your kid's clothes

Sewing for babies and children is fun, and can save you a lot of money when it comes to dressing them stylishly. Baby clothes are often outgrown before they are worn out, but once that little baby starts to crawl, then toddle, their clothes come in for a real battering, often cutting short the time they get to actually wear your handmade creations.  Keeping them looking good doesn't have to involve a lot of time or money, just a little creativity.

• Sew decorative patches on the knees. I did this when trousers were new, rather than wait til the knees were worn.  On school trousers and good pants I put the patch on the inside of each trouser leg.  This is an especially good idea for crawling babies. Add a padded patch (use fleecy or polar fleece for softness) for your baby's comfort when he crawls on hard floors.

• Include a large hem. When your child grows too tall, but still fits the garment around the waist, you can just let the hem down a bit. Dab the fold with some vinegar and steam to get the crease out.

• Add "expandable" features to your child's clothing. A pair of pants or a skirt with an elastic waistband will fit them a lot longer than one with a sewn waistband.

• Add decorative trim to pants or a skirt that is too short but fits around the child. A old pair of jeans can be lots of fun with an embroidered band added around the hem, or a skirt can have a length of lace added or a band of contrasting fabric.  Use your imagination!

• Be sure to follow the fabric manufacturer's instructions for laundering the item. This seems obvious, but sometimes it's something we need to be reminded of.  Just throwing things in the wash can result in a lot of ruined clothing. Remember to sort, close zippers and do up buttons. Turn dark clothes and heavy jeans inside out to wash.

• Re-dye clothing that isn't worn but is stained or looking faded. You can find the dye at the supermarket, chemist or your local craft store.

Bath Toys

Why spend good money on rubber ducks and floating tug boats when you already have great bath toys around your home? Simply recycle plastic drink bottles, cups and colanders. The measuring scoops from washing powder float easily for lots of bathtime fun, and the caps from liquid laundry detergent also make great float toys. And don't underestimate  the fun to be had with a plain old wet facewasher.

Tip of the Day March 11, 2009

Short Sheeted

Instead of buying expensive cot sheets for a newborn baby's cradle and cot, use single bed sheets and fold them to fit. They will definitely be used later on when your toddler goes into a big bed. And, instead of buying an expensive mattress protector ($40 or more) for little wet beds, use a cheap shower curtain (about $2.00 from discount shops). The shower curtain is big enough to tuck under the mattress securely, covering the sides too.

Tip of the Day February 23, 2009

Pouring Oil on Troubled Babies

It's hard to pour baby oil (I used light olive or almond on my babies rather than a mineral based oil), especially if you're trying to hold down a wriggly baby! You either get too much or it spills all over the change table. If you take an old roll-on bottle and wash it out really well, you can put some baby oil into it and replace the ball. You now have roll-on baby oil! No more spills, stains or waste.