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 Popular Articles: |
Regalo Right Height Booster Seat |
TODDLER'S BOOSTER SEAT:
Thanks to Sue for this Frugal Baby Tip!
Cover an old white pages
phone book (or two) with vinyl contact paper (MacTac), place on a regular kitchen chair to create an instant booster seat for your toddler. Add an adult's belt around the child and back of the chair for extra security.
Lite-on-Shoulder Baby Sling |
INEXPENSIVE BABY SLING CARRIER:
You'll need 45" wide fabric, with finished edges. Cut about 56" long for short, 60" for medium and 64" for tall parents. Place cut ends, right side together, and stitch at least 1" from the raw edge. Turn fabric over, and top-stitch on right-side 2 or 3 rows through all layers, for strength.
Fold sling in half length-wise once, and then again. You should end up with a sling roughly 10" x 26" (28")(30"). One long side will have a single fold, the other will have one fold and two finished edges. About one inch down from the seam, sew a 1" x 3" rectangle to hold the folds in place.
To use: Place sling over one shoulder and on opposite hip. Baby can ride on your hip inside two layers of sling, or you can open up the seat part to cover baby completely. If sling is too loose at baby's back, tighten fabric to hold baby upright and use a diaper pin to mark. Remove sling and sew up a dart at place marked with diaper pin.
Baby K'tan ORIGINAL Baby Carrier |
FREE BABY CARRIER:
Turn your old jeans into a sturdy denim baby carrier! You'll need two pair of adult jeans, with no worn spots on the backside. Remove the backs from the fronts, leaving the thick side seams attached to the discarded fronts. Cut off waist-band, belt loops and leg hems. Make a T-shaped cut up the centre from each crotch, as follows: On one jean-back - T
is through the centre of the back pockets.
On the other jean-back - T
is midway between the crotch and bottom of back pockets. Fold the legs in on themselves to form 4" wide straps. Double-stitch along the length of both sides of these straps. Place one jean-back on top of the other, to form an H
shape - lining up one jean-back along the top of the other's pockets. Double-stitch the two jean-backs together.
Tie the shorter straps around your waist. For a front carrier, have a friend help place baby's stomach against your stomach, baby's legs on either side of the carrier seat. For a back carrier, baby's stomach is against your back. Bring carrier and longer straps up over baby, with one strap over each of your shoulders.
Mini Inflatable Pool |
For a front carrier, you could cross the straps at your back. While you hold securely on to the longer straps to support baby, have your friend mark or pin where these longer straps meet the seat part, making sure this is a comfortable position for baby and you.
Remove baby and carrier, double-stitch longer straps to marked spots, on the inside of the seat part. Finish by folding and hemming any remaining cut edges. Make sure all stitching seams are strong and sturdy for safety.
TRAVEL BED FOR BABY:
Bring along an small inflatable plastic wading pool, and line it with blankets for a non-mobile baby to sleep in. When used on top of a regular bed, your baby won't be able to roll off. Not only are the sides nicely cushioned, but the waterproof bottom will protect the bed from leaking diapers or spit-up. The deflated pool will take very little room inside your diaper bag, and you'll always have a safe place for your baby to sleep!
Jolly Jumper Safety Strap |
PORTABLE HI-CHAIR:
Sew up this hi-chair - that stores right in your diaper bag!
You'll need 1 metre (40") of 90 cm (36") wide of any fabric. Cut two tie-strips 19 cm (7.5") by 1 metre (40"). Hem or zigzag all edges of remaining piece. At one short side, bring sides in to meet at centre front and sew along each edge of triangle formed.
Fold each tie-strip in half, right sides together. Sew 1 cm (1/2") seams along long edge and one short end. Turn right way out, tuck in and finish last short edge. Centre one tie-strip at each short end of larger piece and top-stitch or zig-zag in place.
To Use: Lay fabric seat over back of chair, spreading cloth down over the seat. Place your baby on top of fabric, bring front ties up between legs to baby's stomach and tie straps together at sides. You could also fasten ties loosely first, then slip baby in and tighten straps. Take it everywhere you go!
Children's Table and Chair Set |
ECONOMICAL BABY BASSINET:
Thanks to Candace for this great Frugal Baby Tip!
Another useful tip for a laundry basket is for families who cannot afford a bassinet, laundry baskets make great substitutes. With my oldest son I used a wicker laundry basket as a bassinet and I kept it beside my bed at all times. But I could take it to the living room or anywhere else I needed as well.
With my other two I used my plastic laundry basket and lined it with several layers of blankets to use as a place to keep them by my side during the day which easily portable.
FRUGAL CHILD'S DRAWING TABLE:
Thanks to Sheryl for this Frugal Baby Tip.
After looking at high priced drawing tables and easels, I found a very simple and cheap alternative. I took the box that our stereo came in, left the packing Styrofoam inside for a little extra support and covered it with used printer paper, blank side up. I gave Caleb some crayons, and now not only does he have a drawing table, but a drawing cube. For some reason, coloring on the sides is a lot more fun!
JJ Cole Collections Strap Cover |
CAR SEAT STRAP COVERS:
Protect your baby's tender cheeks from rough shoulder strap webbing with these easy covers. Just cut two 5" (13cm) squares from quilted fabric or acrylic fleece. Bind or serge around all edges.
Sew a strip of hook Velcro® down one edge, and loop Velcro® on the opposite edge (and side) of fabric. Or hammer-in a row of three snaps.
Fold one cover over each shoulder strap, and fasten Velcro® or snaps.
Want to read more Frugal Baby tips?
Check out our Frugal Baby Tips blog.
This article compliments of Born to Love.
Other articles that might be of interest:
• Frugal Baby Tips Index
Send questions, comments, and suggestions to: catherine@borntolove.com
Born to Love articles are written by Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
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Last updated - April 5, 2024
