Mummies share your money saving tips please :)

Raksha

If you use baby wipes, store the opened packet upside down - stops the top one drying out....

HM baby food is dead simple. I used to use a 'cookie maker/sausage maker' to squirt it into ice cube bags to freeze a small amout at a time.

Make your own play doh....

fernliebee

Re HM baby food, making your own is nice but it does take a certain amount of time and effort. Top tip re ice cube trays - get the flexible rubber sort as it is a right pain getting frozen food cubes out of the rigid plastic ones.
frankly I couldnt be a*sed to peel enough apples for the the amount of apple puree my two got through, so just bought heinz tins. Also its all very well saying liquidise your own meal - thats ok if you have meat and 2 veg every night but how do you liquidise pizza or stir fry?

baby food in packets is a joke though, it is cheap but basically wallpaper paste - avoid.[/QUOTE]

Re HM baby food- I never puree'd anything for my LO, I steamed fruit or veg until very soft and mashed with a fork as I fed it at first but very quickly just gave her it cut up. You can do this with any meal ie pasta, stir fry etc and means she has what we eat. I also keep left overs and freeze them for nights when we want something naughty that she can't have. I also couldn't be ar*ed with doing a big cook up for the freezer, so when I make something for our dinner I just make more than we need and keep a portion for her lunch next day, and freeze left overs for lunches or dinners if I'm in a hurry. I do buy the hipp organic fruit pots though as LO loves these as a pudding, and we don't eat dairy so yoghurts are out! They work out cheaper than some of the puddings I make for her too and the little minx likes them more:rolleyes: If you can be bothered with cooking, freezing, and puree'ing have a look in the reduced section in supermarket as we quite often pick up really nice organic fruit and veg for really cheap, just needs to be used that day usually!

mrcow

Absolutely agree about the apple puree btw. To me, it's not worth the effort. I just used to buy a small jar and then stir it into porridge or baby rice etc.

jacksons_mum

home bargains are selling the hipp organic fruit purees for 29p for 4. my 3 year old loves them and they are cheaper and healthier than yoghurts.

LittleKipper

Try to breastfeed - healthier and saves cost of formula and additional equipment

Home-made purees definitely saved me a fortune

Buying larger pots of yoghurts then serving in small pots - same with any kind of snack you can buy in larger packets, raisins, dried fruit, breadsticks, crackers etc.

Never buy the expensive nappy bags, what's the point when they're just going in the bin anyway. the supermarkets do cheapo versions which serve their purpose just fine

can save tons on buying non-branded nappies. My daughter was allergic to one of the top brands anyway!

Make use of library and accept any offers of items from friends! Or Ebay is great for buying "bundles" of kids clothing when little, they grow so quickly most of it's only lightly used anyway.

jacksons_mum

nappy bags - my local council housing office gives away free dog poo bags, you just go in and ask for them, they are just as good as nappy bags!

Violetta_2

I would be wary of giving baby cereals like Ready brek, I'm not sure how much salt is in them wasn't there a case a few years ago where parents used that as it was cheaper and baby died , although I think a few companies have reduced salt in a lot off thing's please just check 1st that it is suitable depending on your little ones age.
Moneysaving tip's don't bother with a lot of gadgets we used our bottle warmer 3 times. Also wee ones don't need lot's of toiletries we didn't use anything on our dd for the 1st few months then it was just shampoo for her hair.
We found own brand nappies were often better than the big name ones. Lidl and Sainsburys were particular favourites.
Last one, baby does not give a poopy nappy that they are in a cheapo pram and not the latest all singing all coordinating designer travel system to match mummies new handbag and shoes that costs an extortionate amount

lolababy

Get your childrens feet measured in clarks and then buy them half price on the net. If your child wants a certain toy have a look on ebay. You can usually get it much cheaper. If your not too proud buy it second hand. Its second hand once out of the box anyway.Sell toys that your children have outgrown.
Try to buy all in ones without feet. If your child has big feet like mine they fit everywhere else but there. Need a bib use up old towels, Fold in two and cut out a hole for the head.Baby teething , freeze apple slices and use them as a cheap healthy teether.When cooking the family tea do extra veg and freeze. The same goes for stew. as long as you dont add salt.
Buy travel bottles and fill them with baby lotion powder. Keep them in your nappy bag when out and about. That way you cut down on the amount you need to carry.

alwaysonthego_2

lolababy wrote: »

Get your childrens feet measured in clarks and then buy them half price on the net..

I would only recommend this if you were going for the same style of Clarks shoe. There is more to fitting a shoe than measuring the foot. A good fitter feels the shoe on the foot and observes the child walking in them. Some shoes do not fit the same and may not be suitable. Clark discount outlets are a good way of getting cheaper Clark shoes but still getting the foot properly measured.

Lalaladybird

I buy tesco baby head to toe wash and we all use it as a shower gel/shampoo/bubble bath .... this saves on a lot of clutter too.

My library has just had a january sale ... books 10p each so I have bought loads of books for my dd, most in reasonable condition.

Cut the feet off sleepsuits to make them last a bit longer, just put socks on their tootsies though.

Only use baby wipes for poos, just change the wet nappies. I have never used any cream on my dds bottom and she has never had nappy rash (she is prone to eczema so I don't think it is just good skin that can be credited for this) I think mums think that nappy cream is an essential

Use socks as mittens...they stay on better too.