More Parenting ideas please to save money & the planet at the same time.

HappySad

Can you provide with some green money saving parenting ideas.

• Use newpaper as - disposable and reusable changing mat or as a nappy sack to wrap up the dirty nappies in
• Use the night time baby sleeping bag as a cosy toes during the day. Just imagine I was going to spend £20 in Mothercare when I just thought of using the baby sleeping bag instead.
• Cut up old t-shirts & towels to make reuseable baby wipes with just tap water.

Do you have any unusual ways to save the planet & money at the same time???

thanks

kim_ley

don't use changing mat... knees work fine!
cloth nappys
bath all the kids at once or bath then use the water to water plants etc.
breastfeed... avoids washing bottles... saves water avoids sterilising... save leccy avoids pollution via washing up and production of bottles steriliser formula etc...
In other words breastfeed its the most eco friendly healthy way to feed your child.
re usable breastpads

make clothes


dont use a steriliser Boiling, which is the simplest and cheapest method. Put the equipment into a large covered saucepan ensuring everything is immersed and there are no air pockets, bring to the boil, and boil for at least ten minutes. Leave the bottles in the water in a covered pan until you are ready to use them. Only use this pan for sterilising your equipment. Teats that are boiled regularly tend to become sticky, and may need replacing more often

be a tree hugger mum http://www.treehuggermums.co.uk/

Oh its not so unusual but dont forget your local freecycle

Maybeanotherday

I love freecycle! I freecycle alot of goods pick up and offer it's brilliant!
I also use washable nappies and breastfeed.
Making your own food pots for the kids eden my little girl loved steamed apples with a tiny pinch of cinnimon.
Also a brilliant magazine is called green parent gives you loads of tips on outings,food anything really to do with a combination of both the environment and children. Plus you get a mini magazine on kids green issues which my little one loves!
Wash everything on a low temp: nappies,breast pads,even cloth tissues.
Ebay is brilliant secondhand items doesnt have to mean secondhand quality! your saving something and also money

fernliebee

mainly just get essential items! Don't buy things you don't need. Agree with the breastfeeding, reusable nappies and freecycle!! Changing baby on knee is good IMO as if you do it from birth you adjust as your child gets bigger and once they hit the wriggly, running away stage you can keep hold of them easier!

Just bath them in water- no need for soaps and bubbles, until they get on to solids and occasionally water just isn't enough!

Don't change their clothes all the time, a bit of dirt doesn't hurt unless its poo, or they get wet which makes them cold.

Wash nappies with clothes instead of doing 2 half loads.

use a flannel to clean them after eating- not baby wipes.

Free cycle for toys too. Organise toy swaps wittht your friends.

Make own baby food, it's much better for them and cheaper- I tend to make her dinner but do enough for about 4 portions as it's no extra work (like big batch cooking) and means I have frozen for lunches or when I can't be bothered to cook.:)

Baking with kids- saves buying bread and fun activity.

Have friends over to play or go to sure start so it's free! Walk wherever poss! feed the ducks/ park etc....

Have a roses tin or similiar where you can put old cards/ easter egg foil, small bit's and pieces for sticking. Saves it being thrown away and you can make cards for people.

Get out of the house doing things- saves the lights/ heating being on!

Can't think of anything else off the top of my head! I'm sure I'll be back!he he!

MaximumImpact

If you have an old piece of material, cut it into squares and use them as baby wipes. Boil a kettle, place in a camomile tea bag and allow to soak until cool, place your ''babywipes'' and camomile solution in a container and use as needed!!! Camomile is great for babys bum and you can refresh the colution as and when you please!! Much better for the environment and baby!!



Oh and contact your locol council for resuable nappies scheme..some offer up to 50% cashback!!!!

helzbelz_57

sorry to hijack this thread but the washing temp thing i need help with. i wash everything at 25 degrees except, bedlinen, towels, dog bedding, cleaning rags and dishcloths. all of these i wash at 60 degrees. is it ok to wash them at 25 or should i stick to 60 for hygiene.?

hardpressed

A big pot of petroleum jelly is brilliant to stop bottoms getting sore and it's cheap. Coloured sock are better that white as they tend to go grey after a while. As someone else has said they don't need to have a complete change of clothes unless they are dirty. When my little one was at afternoon nursery I'd put clean clothes on in the afternoon then he'd wear the same clothes the next morning, so he always went out clean, some of his friends had two changes of clothes everyday. Of course if they were really dirty I'd change him!!!

irish_eyes

Check out this site
http://www.natll.org.uk/index.php?page_id=59
to see if there are any toy libraries in your area. It saves a fortune on expensive toys.

shirlgirl2004

Co-sleep, if you are in a low risk category, then you don't even need a baby bed.

Use a sling from birth, you can make one from an old duvet cover, then you won't need that expensive pushchair.

Don't use any nappies when you're at home if you've got wooden floors. Not only will you save on washing them but your baby will potty train earlier. If you need a fancy name for it and more information google "elimination communication" . You don't need to start young just around a year and you'll save a fortune.

Give your young child household things to play with. They are far more textured than many plastic items and when baby gets bored you can carry on using them. Try wooden spoons, baking trays, cotton reels, bits of cloth well use your imagination but be sensible because your LO will explore these items with its mouth.

MoradoJess

Not exactly money saving but wanted to say you should avoid using bubble bath for children under 7, especially girls as it can cause UTIs.

shirlgirl2004

MoradoJess wrote: »

Not exactly money saving but wanted to say you should avoid using bubble bath for children under 7, especially girls as it can cause UTIs.

I think it's totally MS. Children rarely need anything other than water to get their skin clean. The only time I use soap is when they have managed to get hold of pens and drawn on themselves or if the LO has had a really messy tomato based dinner. I think most boys could get away with not using shampoo but girls tend to have longer hair and I know my DD needs it conditioned to be able to drag a brush through it. Children don't sweat or produce oils in the same way adults do.