How To Have A Baby On A Budget
We cannot turn around presently without the media screaming about the global financial crisis and how hard things are for all of us. But unavoidably, a sluggish news day comes along, and the media begin adding up how much it actually costs to have a baby, they always make it seem quite frightening in terms of cost. But how much does it really cost to have a baby?
It’s totally up to you.
Babies need only cost what you can afford to pay, or what you imagination can come up with.. If you want a new nursery in your home think about ways to lower the costs involved - beg and borrow.
As with most things in life, there is a big disparity relating to wants and needs. Babies are truly uncomplicated creatures and require little more than love, somewhere warm to live, food, someone to change them and a lot of love - that is the simple part.
Thus if you’re thinking about a baby, or even a new one, plus your budget could do with a little bit of help, below some guidelines to help.
Borrow, Beg but don't steal
You may well have friends that may have a baby that has outgrown the cot or bassinette it has been using, make use of it for the couple months that your baby will need it. Do any of your relations have a spare cot? Perhaps even the cot you slept in while a baby? Always check that baby gear is secure and complies with the Australian Standards, but using second-hand items makes terrific financial and environmental sense - that is it will reduce your carbon imprint. Save your money for a new cot mattress, a decent stroller and a new baby car seat.
Purchase only what you require and no more.
It can be so alluring to dream away the pregnant months thinking of things you possibly will need then spending time at the shops buying lots of lovely things that your baby will not ever actually use. If this is your first baby, try and limit yourself to just buying plain things like singlets and jumpsuits. You may be astonished with the amount of gifts you will receive for your baby. So often babies grow too fast to be dressed in all the outfits they are given, thus it makes sense to limit yourself and then see what you really do need to buy.
Swap parties & toy libraries
Inquire with your buddies who have had babies what baby stuff, products or items they suggest and what they never used. Exchange parties are a really great idea. If friends have babies that are slightly older or younger than yours, organise to swap clothes with each other. Go ‘shopping’ at a girlfriend’s home for your baby’s new sized wardrobe and return the favour. Swap or lend maternity clothes once you do not need them any longer. When your baby is older, keep toys clean and invigorating by trading with each other once a month, or try a toy library which are growing in popularity and are a brilliant idea.
Breastfeed!
Breastfeeding is the most cost effective way to feed your baby. The health benefits are well-known, but from a monetary point of view, making your baby’s milk yourself is the best as it’s entirely free.
Modern cloth nappies (MCNs) and wipes
Reusable nappies save cash and the environment. Modern cloth nappies are a world away from old fashioned terry-towling squares that a lot of parents were subjected to when they were babies, made from renewable fabrics like bamboo. Now in cool colours and designs, they are more like disposables in fit and function.
Using cloth nappies and baby wipes for later babies make it even cheaper. And hey, what’s one more load of washing every two or three days compared to getting a box of disposable nappies every week? But if cloth is not your thing, try using a cheaper disposable nappy in the day-time when you are changing baby regularly, and saving the more absorbent/expensive nappies for night-time use.
Cook or prepare your own baby food
It might sound like demanding work, but it does not need to be any more hassle than usual cooking. Cook up some extra veggies with the family supper, then puree or mash the vegetables as baby requires. Spoon them into an ice-cube tray, pop on the lid, and you have a week’s worth of baby food in your freezer!
If you have any leftovers left after you have served dinner for the family, spoon into a little container and freeze. Your baby can eat a variety of family meals without any extra effort or cost on your behalf.
Get Dad to make some toys
Make your own toys. Small babies love to grab an red bag filled with noisy paper. Crush up some newspaper and let them play with it. Pack a little Tupperware container with rice and tape shut to make a shaker. Fill a soft drink bottle with water and bits of coloured sponge and food colouring and watch them roll it around the floor for hours.
Make use of park - swing the days away.
Go to your local park, play on the swings, dabble at the beach, read some books, have a picnic in your backyard. They are all free!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Try And Get Dad Involved In Feeding Baby
New fathers, these days, are making much more of an attempt in getting involved as much as possible with baby feeding - this makes fathers feel like they are chipping in and allows them to bond with the new baby.
The remarkable study established that greater than 30% of new dads made some sort of an effort to turn up home in time to give their baby a night-time feed on an almost daily basis.
The study moreover established that 30% of dads made the effort to get home from work once a week to give the bedtime feed, while an remarkable 37% made it their daily responsibility by doing it six or seven nights a week.
Of the mothers questioned, in the same study, more than 70% mentioned that they encouraged their partners to be alone with their new baby at least once a day.
Here are a couple ways to get Dad involved:
1. Establish an involved and important job for him by placing him in charge of sterilising baby bottles and other baby feeding accessories - this can be accomplished whether you are breastfeeding or baby bottle feeding. Make sure you provide him a appropriate education in bottle sterilising.
2. Assign him a regular daily bottle feed so he can enjoy a quiet cuddle time with baby- if you are choosing to do a ‘dream feed’ (around 11pm) this might be most suitable. Further, you can get some much required sleep.
3. If mum is busy feeding baby, let him give you a treat by rustling up a wholesome dinner for the both of you to have later when the time is right. He doesn't need to be a great cook, even a toasted sandwich or beans on toast tastes so much better if someone else has made it.
4. If you are the one who is feeding, give dad the job of burping baby - this job will make him feel a part of the team
5. If the day is getting closer to when you start to wan your baby, and assuming Dad is a decent cook, get him to start preparing weaning food.
The remarkable study established that greater than 30% of new dads made some sort of an effort to turn up home in time to give their baby a night-time feed on an almost daily basis.
The study moreover established that 30% of dads made the effort to get home from work once a week to give the bedtime feed, while an remarkable 37% made it their daily responsibility by doing it six or seven nights a week.
Of the mothers questioned, in the same study, more than 70% mentioned that they encouraged their partners to be alone with their new baby at least once a day.
Here are a couple ways to get Dad involved:
1. Establish an involved and important job for him by placing him in charge of sterilising baby bottles and other baby feeding accessories - this can be accomplished whether you are breastfeeding or baby bottle feeding. Make sure you provide him a appropriate education in bottle sterilising.
2. Assign him a regular daily bottle feed so he can enjoy a quiet cuddle time with baby- if you are choosing to do a ‘dream feed’ (around 11pm) this might be most suitable. Further, you can get some much required sleep.
3. If mum is busy feeding baby, let him give you a treat by rustling up a wholesome dinner for the both of you to have later when the time is right. He doesn't need to be a great cook, even a toasted sandwich or beans on toast tastes so much better if someone else has made it.
4. If you are the one who is feeding, give dad the job of burping baby - this job will make him feel a part of the team
5. If the day is getting closer to when you start to wan your baby, and assuming Dad is a decent cook, get him to start preparing weaning food.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Baby Safety, Using Nightlights
Nightlights are not merely an essential baby safety product, they are also very useful for Mum and Dad too - especially at feeding time when you do not aim to entirely arouse your baby up, a nightlight will help with this. Nightlights give off a slight soothing light for your baby or child while sleeping.
Many types of nightlights are available in australia including amusing and decorative lights in the appearance of animals or humorous characters, and completely automatic nightlights that understand to turn on in the dark and off and when the sun is up.
Nightlights additionally provide parents a way of checking on your sleeping baby without turning on the room light and probably waking their baby.
There are several possible negatives to nightlights though. A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania Medical School found that babies under the age of two years old, whose parents used nightlights, are five times more likely to get myopia compared to other babies or toddlers who slept in a room that was dark.
In fairness to parents who use nightlights the study does not prove night time nightlights that are used during early childhood is a direct cause of myopia, parents may wish to consider the study on baby safety when deciding whether to use a nightlight or not - please keep in mind though that this was just one study and although it did have interesting findings they were not conclusive as the sample set was not large.
Many types of nightlights are available in australia including amusing and decorative lights in the appearance of animals or humorous characters, and completely automatic nightlights that understand to turn on in the dark and off and when the sun is up.
Nightlights additionally provide parents a way of checking on your sleeping baby without turning on the room light and probably waking their baby.
There are several possible negatives to nightlights though. A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania Medical School found that babies under the age of two years old, whose parents used nightlights, are five times more likely to get myopia compared to other babies or toddlers who slept in a room that was dark.
In fairness to parents who use nightlights the study does not prove night time nightlights that are used during early childhood is a direct cause of myopia, parents may wish to consider the study on baby safety when deciding whether to use a nightlight or not - please keep in mind though that this was just one study and although it did have interesting findings they were not conclusive as the sample set was not large.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sun Baby Safety Information
You need to take significant care to protect your baby's skin from the sun, in particular in the middle of the day and in summer. Sunlight contains ultraviolet light that can cause short and long term skin damage to your baby. Not only will sunburn cause your baby immense uneasiness and pain, a lone session of harsh sunburn during childhood may add to the development of skin cancer in later life.
As with adults, babies with lighter skin have an even greater risk of sun damage if exposed to sunlight, even on a cloudy day or in the shade.
A few forms of sun protection are available in Australia; sun screens that protect your baby's skin when exposed to sunlight and clothing/accessories that prevent the sunlight from reaching your baby's skin at all.
Baby Sunscreens
You ought to look for a sun cream specifically designed for a baby's skin, as sunscreens used by adults can bring about irritation. You should buy a sun block cream, offering greatest protection from UVA and UVB rays. Even if your baby is wearing sun block, it is still sensible to keep them in the shade where possible or use one of the extra means of additional protection given below.
Baby sunscreens usually are derived from natural plant based ingredients or are chemical based; ensure you understand the instructions ahead of use. We would advise not using chemical based sunscreens on a baby below 12 months of age and that clothing offers the best form of protection for a baby less than 12 months of age.
Protective Clothing
Wear A Hat - your baby ought to be dressed in a hat that helps to stop the sunlight from reaching their neck and face. That is, a hat with a broad brim all the way around it, or a cap that offers a peak at the front to protect the face and a flap at the back to protect the neck. Check the hat is a good, secure fit, or you could find your baby wanting to take it off all the time.
T-shirts - a long sleeve T-shirt will offer your baby the best protection from the sun, but this might not be sensible given the warmer temperatures that accompany the sun. At least a normal T-shirt is essential as the shoulders can burn very easily.
Parasols and Mesh Covers
You can give extra sun protection while your baby is in their pram by attaching a sunshade. Some manufacturers will supply a parasol constructed for a certain pram. However, parasols with a universal attachment are just as useful and generally cheaper. They simply fix to part of the pram using a spring loaded clip, and the angle of the parasol can be adjusted to ensure maximum protection from the sun.
Sun protection for your baby is also available in Australia in the form of mesh covers. These material covers are placed over the buggy or pram in the same way you would use a rain cover.
As with adults, babies with lighter skin have an even greater risk of sun damage if exposed to sunlight, even on a cloudy day or in the shade.
A few forms of sun protection are available in Australia; sun screens that protect your baby's skin when exposed to sunlight and clothing/accessories that prevent the sunlight from reaching your baby's skin at all.
Baby Sunscreens
You ought to look for a sun cream specifically designed for a baby's skin, as sunscreens used by adults can bring about irritation. You should buy a sun block cream, offering greatest protection from UVA and UVB rays. Even if your baby is wearing sun block, it is still sensible to keep them in the shade where possible or use one of the extra means of additional protection given below.
Baby sunscreens usually are derived from natural plant based ingredients or are chemical based; ensure you understand the instructions ahead of use. We would advise not using chemical based sunscreens on a baby below 12 months of age and that clothing offers the best form of protection for a baby less than 12 months of age.
Protective Clothing
Wear A Hat - your baby ought to be dressed in a hat that helps to stop the sunlight from reaching their neck and face. That is, a hat with a broad brim all the way around it, or a cap that offers a peak at the front to protect the face and a flap at the back to protect the neck. Check the hat is a good, secure fit, or you could find your baby wanting to take it off all the time.
T-shirts - a long sleeve T-shirt will offer your baby the best protection from the sun, but this might not be sensible given the warmer temperatures that accompany the sun. At least a normal T-shirt is essential as the shoulders can burn very easily.
Parasols and Mesh Covers
You can give extra sun protection while your baby is in their pram by attaching a sunshade. Some manufacturers will supply a parasol constructed for a certain pram. However, parasols with a universal attachment are just as useful and generally cheaper. They simply fix to part of the pram using a spring loaded clip, and the angle of the parasol can be adjusted to ensure maximum protection from the sun.
Sun protection for your baby is also available in Australia in the form of mesh covers. These material covers are placed over the buggy or pram in the same way you would use a rain cover.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Baby Safety, Around The Nursery
Baby Safety, Around The Nursery - Your baby's nursery is a space in which and baby will spend a huge amount of time; by partaking in intelligent safety protection measures before your baby is born, you can fashion a safe atmosphere in which your baby can play and relax throughout their infancy.
From the outset your baby will spend a lot of time sleeping so it is vital to ensure that their sleep environment is peril free. When choosing a cot for your baby's nursery it is always preferable to buy a new one so that you can be sure it is equipped with the most modern safety features; however this is not always realistic.
When borrowing or buying a recycled cot it is worthwhile to make sure that it is of a sturdy build and that hold brackets and bars are fixed steadily. You should also check the cot bars are spaced less than 45 - 64mm apart (so baby can't fit their head through) and that the cot has no corner post extensions which baby could get their clothes caught on. If your second hand cot is painted you should strip and repaint it before baby arrives (mums-to-be should avoid doing this) as the paint used to beautify many older cots contains lead which is now known to be risky for babies.
The cot's mattress should be solid and fit in a cozy way with less than the width of two fingers between the inner perimeter of the cot and the side of the mattress. There should be no holes or cutouts in the head or footboard of the cot so baby cannot get trapped and the sides of the cot should always be locked into position when baby is inside.
Babies, principally those less than 12 months, should not be placed to sleep on beanbags, pillows or adult beds and when baby is put down for a nap they should always be positioned on their backs (unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare professional). Also, duvets should not be used on babies under the age of one as they have been caught up as a potential factor in cot death. Instead you could use layers of fitted sheets and blankets tucked under the cots mattress so you can easily maintain your baby's temperature and stop them from overheating.
When placing a baby in their cot you should ensure that their feet are placed nearby the foot of the cot with the sheet tucked under the mattress appropriately - this prevents baby from wriggling under the covers. Bumper pads can be secured around the sides of the cot to protect baby and stop them from reaching though the bars. However, these should be removed when baby begins to stand so they can't be used as a step to help baby climb out of the cot. Pillows, teething toys, soft toys, dummies and comforters should also be removed from the cot before baby is put down to nap.
Cots or changing tables should in no way be positioned close to windows or wall mounted accessories that could be grabbed or pushed over. Additionally, you should cut any long cords used to draw curtains so that they no longer form a loop and tie them well out of baby's reach. You should also make sure that windows are kept locked, that electricity outlets are fixed with socket covers and that radiators are protected by guards. At Stuff For Baby we advise using oil, timer, heaters.
If you have a change table in your baby's room you should ensure that changing accessories and toiletries are stored high out of babies reach (although easily accessible to an adult). Doors and drawers in which little fingers may well get stuck should as well be fitted with child proof locks and bookshelves and cupboards should be attached to the wall to prevent tipping. You should also make sure that baby is no able to lock their nursery door from the inside.
By properly assembling the furniture in your baby's room and by keeping in mind some simple nursery safety protection measures, you could create a happy, hazard-free room in which your baby can safely sleep and play all day long.
If you are interested in learning more about baby safety products click here.
From the outset your baby will spend a lot of time sleeping so it is vital to ensure that their sleep environment is peril free. When choosing a cot for your baby's nursery it is always preferable to buy a new one so that you can be sure it is equipped with the most modern safety features; however this is not always realistic.
When borrowing or buying a recycled cot it is worthwhile to make sure that it is of a sturdy build and that hold brackets and bars are fixed steadily. You should also check the cot bars are spaced less than 45 - 64mm apart (so baby can't fit their head through) and that the cot has no corner post extensions which baby could get their clothes caught on. If your second hand cot is painted you should strip and repaint it before baby arrives (mums-to-be should avoid doing this) as the paint used to beautify many older cots contains lead which is now known to be risky for babies.
The cot's mattress should be solid and fit in a cozy way with less than the width of two fingers between the inner perimeter of the cot and the side of the mattress. There should be no holes or cutouts in the head or footboard of the cot so baby cannot get trapped and the sides of the cot should always be locked into position when baby is inside.
Babies, principally those less than 12 months, should not be placed to sleep on beanbags, pillows or adult beds and when baby is put down for a nap they should always be positioned on their backs (unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare professional). Also, duvets should not be used on babies under the age of one as they have been caught up as a potential factor in cot death. Instead you could use layers of fitted sheets and blankets tucked under the cots mattress so you can easily maintain your baby's temperature and stop them from overheating.
When placing a baby in their cot you should ensure that their feet are placed nearby the foot of the cot with the sheet tucked under the mattress appropriately - this prevents baby from wriggling under the covers. Bumper pads can be secured around the sides of the cot to protect baby and stop them from reaching though the bars. However, these should be removed when baby begins to stand so they can't be used as a step to help baby climb out of the cot. Pillows, teething toys, soft toys, dummies and comforters should also be removed from the cot before baby is put down to nap.
Cots or changing tables should in no way be positioned close to windows or wall mounted accessories that could be grabbed or pushed over. Additionally, you should cut any long cords used to draw curtains so that they no longer form a loop and tie them well out of baby's reach. You should also make sure that windows are kept locked, that electricity outlets are fixed with socket covers and that radiators are protected by guards. At Stuff For Baby we advise using oil, timer, heaters.
If you have a change table in your baby's room you should ensure that changing accessories and toiletries are stored high out of babies reach (although easily accessible to an adult). Doors and drawers in which little fingers may well get stuck should as well be fitted with child proof locks and bookshelves and cupboards should be attached to the wall to prevent tipping. You should also make sure that baby is no able to lock their nursery door from the inside.
By properly assembling the furniture in your baby's room and by keeping in mind some simple nursery safety protection measures, you could create a happy, hazard-free room in which your baby can safely sleep and play all day long.
If you are interested in learning more about baby safety products click here.
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