Homemade Baby Goods: From Food to Detergent
It seems that the “high cost” of having a baby is emphasized a lot these days. But you can do so much to offset the cost, and one of the most effective means of saving money is to make many baby goods yourself.
Here are some tips for homemade baby goods, from food to detergent.
1. Detergent
Let’s start with one of the main items you can make yourself! You’re going to go through a lot of detergent after you have a baby. Whether you choose to do cloth or disposable diapers, there is still an increase in laundry: babies spit up, have leaky diapers, and otherwise tend to mess up clothes and sheets several times a day. Saving money by making your own laundry detergent makes sense. Here’s a simple recipe:
Grate a bar of natural, unscented soap (such as Ivory). Mix 1 cup of the grated soap bar with 2 cups of washing soda (not baking soda) and 2 cups of Borax. Shake to mix, and add about 3 tablespoons per load of laundry. That’s it!
2. Diaper Cream
Babies’ skin is very sensitive and absorbs more than adult skin. In addition, commercial diaper creams contain fish oil, which will leave a fishy odor on cloth diapers even after washing. You can just use straight coconut oil on baby’s skin, or melt 1/2 cup of the coconut oil and mix it with 1 tablespoon dried calendula flowers and 1 tablespoon dried chamomile or lavender flowers. Keep the oil hot enough to remain liquid for about 10 minutes. Then strain into a jar and allow to cool and harden.
3. Slings and Wraps
Homemade slings and wraps are a great way to save a bundle of money and free up your hands while still carrying baby close to you. You’ll just need to purchase fabric and follow directions – there are plenty of online resources.
4. Toys
You can make mobiles, puzzles, and even plush toys. These can be made from basic items like cardboard, paper, felt, yarn, and stuffing. Use your imagination and don’t hesitate to check out books and look online – you want to make sure your homemade toys are safe.
5. Food
If there’s one area where you can skip the cost, it’s with baby food. You don’t need to purchase dozens of little jars (although you may like to purchase some baby food just once for the reusable jars!). Your baby can easily have a baby-friendly version of whatever the adults at the table are eating. Some say this helps prevent picky eating, too.
For special baby food recipes, check online – there are whole websites dedicated to this.
As you can see, there are plenty of homemade baby items you can prepare for your little one! You can also make some of these and give them as gifts.