Welcome to Thrifty Tips

Homemade Disposable Baby Wipes

First, buy a Bounty Big Roll and cut it in half. In a plastic container, mix 2 1/4 cups warm water, 2 T baby oil & 2 T baby wash. Add the half roll of paper towel ´til it is soaked through (you will need to flip it once), then pull out the cardboard center. These are excellent for diaper changes and for cleaning of little hands. Then save the other half of the roll for the next use.

Reusable Baby Wipes

Cut old t-shirts or worn cloth diapers into "wipe-size" and make a solution of 2 tablespoons baby shampoo with 2 cups water. Soak the t-shirt scraps until they are really wet; ring out the excess and store them in a plastic bowl with a cover. Keep a plastic bag with you for the soiled ones... soak, wash and reuse them.

Make Your Own Diaper Rash Treatment

Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby´s bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.

Make Your Own Baby Food

Baby food can be very expensive so why not make your own? Freeze small portions of applesauce, mashed bananas or any other fruits or vegetables. Run them through a grinder or blender first. Freeze them in ice cube trays, pop out and store in freezer bags. A lot healthier for baby too.

Spit Up Odor

If your baby spits up on his or her shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.

About Baby Parenting

Go to www.babyparenting.about.com to uncover the best tactics for toilet training and many other helpful tips, tricks and ideas.

Shaw´s Duckling Program

"Whether you have an infant, a toddler or a preschooler, every stage of childhood brings challenges. And every stage of motherhood brings questions. That´s why Shaw´s is happy to introduce our ducklings program. Designed exclusively for moms of children up to 5 years, ducklings is a great resource for information and tips on raising a young family. What´s more, it features tons of great savings on all the products you shop for at Shaw´s - from the freshest fish, meats and produce to all the kids´ favorites. Best of all, joining ducklings is absolutely free!"

Go to www.shaws.com/duckling to sign up for this FREE program.

Free Formula

For a free 16 oz. can of Baby Basic formula call 1-800-864-9652. Limit one free can per household.

Make Inexpensive Baby Bibs

Purchase kids´ T-shirts or sweatshirts secondhand. Then leave the front and its design, but cut off the sleeves and the back. Finish the edges using a zigzag stitch.

Gerber Coupons

Register and get up to $5.00 in valuable coupons from Gerber. Go to http://www.gerber.com/feedplan/ to register.

Kitchen Toys

Why pay for expensive baby toys when you have your own supply already? Most babies like to play with pots and pans, Tupperware, measuring spoons, etc., so let them and save money at the same time.

Printable Baby Shower Preparation and Gift List

Here you can print out a one-page baby shower preparation and gift list.
http://members.tripod.com/~grambk11/PrintableBabyShowerList.html

American Baby

The American Baby magazine´s website, www.americanbaby.com, is full of useful parenting information, a baby calendar, tips, articles, contests, chats with other moms about pregnancy, parenting and more.

Free Safeway SELECT Infant Formula

Call toll free at 1-866-236-6455 and receive a voucher for a free 16 oz. can of Safeway SELECT Infant Formula. Limit one can per household.

Christmas Rattle

Make a baby Christmas rattle with a large metal "jingle" bell attached to a short length of brightly colored ribbon. Make sure that the metal is strong enough so that the bell won´t break and end up in your baby´s mouth.

Find Out Where Babysitting Courses are Offered

To find a babysitter, try starting by looking in the places where they offer babysitting courses in your area. There you might be able to post your needs, or get a list of recent course graduates, etc.

About Pregnancy

Go to www.pregnancy.about.com for information on your baby´s growth week by week, and many other things.