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Tip Store: Babies: Miscellaneous
A Wealth of Ideas and Free Stuff
I've discovered online blogs are a wealth of information, hints and tips
on all sorts of topics. Recently I've been interested in sewing, I've
found blogs that give away free sewing patterns and tutorials and have
plenty of ideas for repurposing items that you might otherwise throw
away. Using these blogs have helped me improve my sewing skills (for
free) and recycle old clothes/linen into new projects. The blogs
mentioned above provide links to other blogs they follow.
Contributed by Kelly Batten
Websites:
http://naptimecrafting.blogspot.com.au/
http://sewingin-nomansland.blogspot.com.au/
http://prudentbaby.com/
I've discovered online blogs are a wealth of information, hints and tips
on all sorts of topics. Recently I've been interested in sewing, I've
found blogs that give away free sewing patterns and tutorials and have
plenty of ideas for repurposing items that you might otherwise throw
away. Using these blogs have helped me improve my sewing skills (for
free) and recycle old clothes/linen into new projects. The blogs
mentioned above provide links to other blogs they follow.
Contributed by Kelly Batten
Websites:
http://naptimecrafting.blogspot.com.au/
http://sewingin-nomansland.blogspot.com.au/
http://prudentbaby.com/
Giving Babysitting Coupons as a Thank You Gift
Approximate $ Savings: $10.00
With the basketball finals about to commence, it is time to think about families putting in money to buy the coach a small gift, as a token of the families appreciation for their unpaid efforts. This occurs at the same time that fees are due for next season. It is also the end of cricket season etc. With three kids playing sport this gets very expensive. On Saturday I was told that instead of putting in money for our coach( who is a mum) we will all offer three hours babysitting per mother and the coach will receive coupons to reflect this. With nine kids in the team she will receive nine nights out with her husband and free babysitting. The coach has no family locally and I know she will get so much more from this gift than if we had contributed money! So simple, I had to pass it on.
Contributed by Roslyn, Glen Iris, 1st March 2010
Approximate $ Savings: $10.00
With the basketball finals about to commence, it is time to think about families putting in money to buy the coach a small gift, as a token of the families appreciation for their unpaid efforts. This occurs at the same time that fees are due for next season. It is also the end of cricket season etc. With three kids playing sport this gets very expensive. On Saturday I was told that instead of putting in money for our coach( who is a mum) we will all offer three hours babysitting per mother and the coach will receive coupons to reflect this. With nine kids in the team she will receive nine nights out with her husband and free babysitting. The coach has no family locally and I know she will get so much more from this gift than if we had contributed money! So simple, I had to pass it on.
Contributed by Roslyn, Glen Iris, 1st March 2010
Teach Kids to Safely Use Steps
We have an outdoor area that is raised about the same height as yours with a sheer drop to the grass on the next level. I have three kids from aged from four and a half 2 years to eighteen months and as soon as they were crawling they headed for the steps and have been up and down ever since without incident.
Contributed by Megan Kelly, 18th October 2009
We have an outdoor area that is raised about the same height as yours with a sheer drop to the grass on the next level. I have three kids from aged from four and a half 2 years to eighteen months and as soon as they were crawling they headed for the steps and have been up and down ever since without incident.
Contributed by Megan Kelly, 18th October 2009
Baby Bargains from Chemist Warehouse
Check out Chemists Warehouse stores. They are hard to beat on pharmacy items and at the moment they have a great special on tins of baby formula.
Contributed by Tanya, Mount Waverley, April 5, 2006
Check out Chemists Warehouse stores. They are hard to beat on pharmacy items and at the moment they have a great special on tins of baby formula.
Contributed by Tanya, Mount Waverley, April 5, 2006
Shop Online for Great Prices on Baby’s Needs
There is a Chemist in Merrylands (Western Sydney) called Cincotta Chemist. They're pretty cheap for baby formula etc. Their website is www.cincottachemist.com.au There's also a discount pharmacy in Silverwater (also Western Sydney) where you can get cheap medication. They also have a website www.pharmacydirect.com.au Hope this helps you!
Contributed by Lisa, Green Valley, April 7, 2006
There is a Chemist in Merrylands (Western Sydney) called Cincotta Chemist. They're pretty cheap for baby formula etc. Their website is www.cincottachemist.com.au There's also a discount pharmacy in Silverwater (also Western Sydney) where you can get cheap medication. They also have a website www.pharmacydirect.com.au Hope this helps you!
Contributed by Lisa, Green Valley, April 7, 2006
Party Kids
Thanks for the great party tips last month. I can recommend Party Kids for your birthday party supplies. They are great and the stuff arrived on time, with out a problem. And my little girl (4th birthday!) had a ball with her 'Mystical Unicorn' Party Box. The party was a hit, I'd recommend this service to anyone who has a kid's party coming up. The address is www.partykids.com.au
Contributed by Jennifer, Wahroonga, NSW
Thanks for the great party tips last month. I can recommend Party Kids for your birthday party supplies. They are great and the stuff arrived on time, with out a problem. And my little girl (4th birthday!) had a ball with her 'Mystical Unicorn' Party Box. The party was a hit, I'd recommend this service to anyone who has a kid's party coming up. The address is www.partykids.com.au
Contributed by Jennifer, Wahroonga, NSW
Shoe Laces
Do your children have trouble keeping their shoelaces tied? Get them to dampen them before they tie them and they will stay done up the whole day long.
Do your children have trouble keeping their shoelaces tied? Get them to dampen them before they tie them and they will stay done up the whole day long.
Friendly Sitters
Don't pay expensive babysitting fees. Get together with a group of friends and start a babysitting club.
Don't pay expensive babysitting fees. Get together with a group of friends and start a babysitting club.
Night Lights
If you have children in your home, and you also have stairs, it is always a good idea to keep them illuminated in the evening for safety reasons. However, specialty bulbs for night-lights can be expensive. We have used, almost every night for the last 5 years, a very inexpensive ($3.50) night-light bought from Fosseys. It gives a very soft, reddish glow that illuminates the children's room. It gives off enough light to check them if they are ill or upset and but isn't bright enough to keep them awake.
Contributed by Cath
If you have children in your home, and you also have stairs, it is always a good idea to keep them illuminated in the evening for safety reasons. However, specialty bulbs for night-lights can be expensive. We have used, almost every night for the last 5 years, a very inexpensive ($3.50) night-light bought from Fosseys. It gives a very soft, reddish glow that illuminates the children's room. It gives off enough light to check them if they are ill or upset and but isn't bright enough to keep them awake.
Contributed by Cath
Colic Cure
If your baby won't stop crying because of colic and you've tried everything you can think of to calm him down, try turning on the vacuum cleaner! Babies love the white noise.
If your baby won't stop crying because of colic and you've tried everything you can think of to calm him down, try turning on the vacuum cleaner! Babies love the white noise.
Calming Bath
To calm a toddler (or an adult!) buy (from the chemist) Epsom salts. Use the recommended amount in a warm bath. You can add 10 drops of lavender essential oil too (from chemists or health food shops). It is calming, great for a headache or upset mood and it kills bacteria that are lingering on the skin. Enjoy and relax!
To calm a toddler (or an adult!) buy (from the chemist) Epsom salts. Use the recommended amount in a warm bath. You can add 10 drops of lavender essential oil too (from chemists or health food shops). It is calming, great for a headache or upset mood and it kills bacteria that are lingering on the skin. Enjoy and relax!
Instead of Baby Gifts
Instead of the usual baby gifts, invite those who come to visit the new addition to bring a prepared dish, casserole, and dessert etc. completely prepared and frozen for the guest of honour's freezer. You'll be able to present the new and otherwise occupied parent with a freezer full of food. It's fun and inexpensive and will give your friend precious time to spend with the new baby instead of in the kitchen.
Instead of the usual baby gifts, invite those who come to visit the new addition to bring a prepared dish, casserole, and dessert etc. completely prepared and frozen for the guest of honour's freezer. You'll be able to present the new and otherwise occupied parent with a freezer full of food. It's fun and inexpensive and will give your friend precious time to spend with the new baby instead of in the kitchen.
Bath Baby in Water
If having a baby consider not using any soap, shampoo or oil on their newborn skin. I have three kids (1,2 & 5 years) who have beautiful clear skin and shiny, clean hair from simply bathing in water daily. Their natural body oils are in balance & I feel they are healthier for it too!
Contributed by Jane, February 17th, 2003
If having a baby consider not using any soap, shampoo or oil on their newborn skin. I have three kids (1,2 & 5 years) who have beautiful clear skin and shiny, clean hair from simply bathing in water daily. Their natural body oils are in balance & I feel they are healthier for it too!
Contributed by Jane, February 17th, 2003
Babysitter Needed
When holding a garage sale hire a baby sitter for the very young kids. You'll be more focused if you're not watching kids.
When holding a garage sale hire a baby sitter for the very young kids. You'll be more focused if you're not watching kids.
Paper Saver
I am a home based child care worker and find I go through over a roll of toilet paper per day. To stop this I squeeze the full roll so the centre is not round and find this saves heaps.....the full roll doesnt just roll off continually with pulled by a child. It can nearly tripple the life of one roll.
Contributed by Judi, August 10th, 2004
I am a home based child care worker and find I go through over a roll of toilet paper per day. To stop this I squeeze the full roll so the centre is not round and find this saves heaps.....the full roll doesnt just roll off continually with pulled by a child. It can nearly tripple the life of one roll.
Contributed by Judi, August 10th, 2004
Mosquito Bites
A cheap way to stop children from scratching mosquito bites is to dab white vinegar on spot where bitten.
Contributed by Karen, May 20th, 2004
A cheap way to stop children from scratching mosquito bites is to dab white vinegar on spot where bitten.
Contributed by Karen, May 20th, 2004
Emergency Contacts
Use your computer to print out the information 000 would need to find your house, phone and contact details of friends and family and names and phone numbers of trades people you use. Print off copies for the fridge, phone, office, car, your diary and your handbag. Slipping the fridge copy into a plastic sleeve and using magnets to keep it in place makes it easy to change details.
Use your computer to print out the information 000 would need to find your house, phone and contact details of friends and family and names and phone numbers of trades people you use. Print off copies for the fridge, phone, office, car, your diary and your handbag. Slipping the fridge copy into a plastic sleeve and using magnets to keep it in place makes it easy to change details.
Teaching children
Let your children help with the housework, shopping and bill paying. It s important that they learn how to look after themselves and their finances and their best teacher is YOU!
Let your children help with the housework, shopping and bill paying. It s important that they learn how to look after themselves and their finances and their best teacher is YOU!
Car Sick Kids
This may not be the nicest subject to talk about but kids being sick in the car is a terrible thing for everyone. One of the things I've found useful is a snap-lock bag. When kids are old enough to use one - around 2 1/2 - 3, I've taught them to be sick into the bag. The opening is wide enough and they can hold on to the bag easily. Sometimes, I put it into a small ice-cream container so they don't have to hold the bottom when it's getting full. When they've finished being sick, and I've finished with any wipes or tissues, I pop them all into the bag and can then dispose into an appropriate bin. Leaves no smell, no mess. Kids don't get too upset as they haven't left a mess on themselves or in the car. Another great hint would be the sick bags that ambulances use. If you know anyone in the services, ask if you can try one. They are great too.
Contributed by Debi, Warrandyte, March 17th, 2005
This may not be the nicest subject to talk about but kids being sick in the car is a terrible thing for everyone. One of the things I've found useful is a snap-lock bag. When kids are old enough to use one - around 2 1/2 - 3, I've taught them to be sick into the bag. The opening is wide enough and they can hold on to the bag easily. Sometimes, I put it into a small ice-cream container so they don't have to hold the bottom when it's getting full. When they've finished being sick, and I've finished with any wipes or tissues, I pop them all into the bag and can then dispose into an appropriate bin. Leaves no smell, no mess. Kids don't get too upset as they haven't left a mess on themselves or in the car. Another great hint would be the sick bags that ambulances use. If you know anyone in the services, ask if you can try one. They are great too.
Contributed by Debi, Warrandyte, March 17th, 2005
If You Can't Get The Little One To Fall Asleep....
If you can't get the little one to fall asleep, take them for a ride in the car. It worked every time for my son when he was fussy. Of course, with the cost of petrol these days, I didn't drive far. Keeping the petrol discount dockets and using them when I fill up can save me up to 6 cents a litre off the bowser price, which helps.
Contributed by Carol, Mt. Waverley
If you can't get the little one to fall asleep, take them for a ride in the car. It worked every time for my son when he was fussy. Of course, with the cost of petrol these days, I didn't drive far. Keeping the petrol discount dockets and using them when I fill up can save me up to 6 cents a litre off the bowser price, which helps.
Contributed by Carol, Mt. Waverley
Decorate with Flair!
Decorate your child's room with flair and pizzazz by having him draw pictures of his favourite activities on butcher paper. Then laminate them and hang around the walls of his room like a mural of his life.
Decorate your child's room with flair and pizzazz by having him draw pictures of his favourite activities on butcher paper. Then laminate them and hang around the walls of his room like a mural of his life.
Easy Bed-Making
These days comforters and doonas are cheap to buy and easy to look after. They are also great for kids as they make bed making a quick, simple chore.
These days comforters and doonas are cheap to buy and easy to look after. They are also great for kids as they make bed making a quick, simple chore.
Shower Timers
When training your pre-schoolers to use a shower, give them an egg timer set for five minutes. That way they won't over-stay their shower time and you'll save money, water and energy.
When training your pre-schoolers to use a shower, give them an egg timer set for five minutes. That way they won't over-stay their shower time and you'll save money, water and energy.
Pouring Oil on Troubled Babies
It's hard to pour baby 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.
Contributed by Ameilia
It's hard to pour baby 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.
Contributed by Ameilia
Budget Baby Products
I have a 3 month old, and instead of spending loads of money on bath products, nappy rash cream and on baby wipes, I use generic brand baby oil. Squeeze it into the bath and it works as well as the more expensive baby bath products (although it won't dissolve in the water like they do, not that it matters). Use plain sorbelene lotion if you want extra cleaning power And even better, for cleaning up without baby wipes, put a little container of water next to the change table with a big squirt of baby oil, and use cotton wool balls. It keeps the little bottom clean and moisturised; I basically never need nappy rash cream!
Contributed by Lisa, Taringa, October 7th 2006
I have a 3 month old, and instead of spending loads of money on bath products, nappy rash cream and on baby wipes, I use generic brand baby oil. Squeeze it into the bath and it works as well as the more expensive baby bath products (although it won't dissolve in the water like they do, not that it matters). Use plain sorbelene lotion if you want extra cleaning power And even better, for cleaning up without baby wipes, put a little container of water next to the change table with a big squirt of baby oil, and use cotton wool balls. It keeps the little bottom clean and moisturised; I basically never need nappy rash cream!
Contributed by Lisa, Taringa, October 7th 2006
Safe Baby Powder
Instead of unsafe talc powder or expensive natural baby powders, I use corn flour on my newborn or toddlers, that's what the main ingredient is in natural powder anyway, just without the essential oils for fragrance. At .85c a packet and not $10+ it's a bargain. Just keep an old powder container and put in there!
Contributed by Kim, Kuranda, May 3rd 2005
Instead of unsafe talc powder or expensive natural baby powders, I use corn flour on my newborn or toddlers, that's what the main ingredient is in natural powder anyway, just without the essential oils for fragrance. At .85c a packet and not $10+ it's a bargain. Just keep an old powder container and put in there!
Contributed by Kim, Kuranda, May 3rd 2005
Rinse Baby Well
Having had 8 children, I've learned a few things about cradle cap, and other baby rashes. I found that simply by rinsing baby's head with clean, warm water (nothing added) after bathing gets rid of cradle cap! The same applies to the rest of baby, rinsing after bathing kept my baby's skin clear of rashes that are due to allergic reaction. I also found that watering down your baby shampoo before allowing it to touch baby's head/skin also helps a lot! The savings that enjoyed by adopting these simple measures were truly priceless!
Contributed by Mum to 8, Deloraine, 31st August, 2007
Having had 8 children, I've learned a few things about cradle cap, and other baby rashes. I found that simply by rinsing baby's head with clean, warm water (nothing added) after bathing gets rid of cradle cap! The same applies to the rest of baby, rinsing after bathing kept my baby's skin clear of rashes that are due to allergic reaction. I also found that watering down your baby shampoo before allowing it to touch baby's head/skin also helps a lot! The savings that enjoyed by adopting these simple measures were truly priceless!
Contributed by Mum to 8, Deloraine, 31st August, 2007
It Pays to Have a Look
Approximate $ Savings: $8.27
I went shopping the other day to find car sun shades for my back window. I had been told to look at Big W so when I got to the shop I went straight to the baby section where the sun shades varied in price from $11.94 upwards for a pack of two. I decided to have a look in the automotive section where I found sun shades for just 3.67 for a two pack which had a UV rating as high as the $11.94 one . Needless to say I decided to get the cheaper $3.67 one with a saving of $8.27, who wouldn't?
Contributed by Trista, Tahmoor, 12th August 2009
Approximate $ Savings: $8.27
I went shopping the other day to find car sun shades for my back window. I had been told to look at Big W so when I got to the shop I went straight to the baby section where the sun shades varied in price from $11.94 upwards for a pack of two. I decided to have a look in the automotive section where I found sun shades for just 3.67 for a two pack which had a UV rating as high as the $11.94 one . Needless to say I decided to get the cheaper $3.67 one with a saving of $8.27, who wouldn't?
Contributed by Trista, Tahmoor, 12th August 2009