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RE: Helpful hints

bittykitty — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 22:00:15 GMT

Something I tried, and thought I'd share. Bubby is too young for me to use the baby bedtime range on him, but if I use the wash on myself, then have him in the shower after, then I moisturise with the oil, he gets the aroma therapy benifit, and we all seem to sleep well.

I won't make a promise that it'll help your baby sleep, but it seems to work for us.

RE: Helpful hints

Razer_Thomas — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:21:47 GMT

Thanks for good post. I am a father of new born 2 monts old baby. Thanks for all fruitful information.

RE: Helpful hints

ginny — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:02:28 GMT

excellent work...thankx 4 the help...i'm a new mum and it was a delight reading your article.

RE: Helpful hints

bittykitty — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:53:44 GMT

I thought this was a great topic, so I'm bumping it to the front page.

I'm a new mum, and my advice for saving money on things is don't be afraid to tell someone what you need when they ask. I got alot of useful items for my baby shower, because I was asked what I needed. And if you have friends or family with bubs a little older than yours, ask for hand me downs. My cousins bub is 11 months older than mine, and I'm getting some clothes that no longer fit him.

Second hand stores, garage sales, markets and ebay are fantastic for bargans that are still in good nick. Scored my very good pram, bassanet, blankets and clothes second hand for someone who had to move interstate fast for $150. Checking the Quakka (this may be just a WA thing) and asking people you know to keep and ear out for stuff other people no longer want is a great idea.

And as with everything, don't be afraid to ask for help.

RE: Helpful hints

Moony — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:31:40 GMT

Indeed, corded roller blinds and windows should always be childproofed in order to avoid injuries an other accidents. Here is a great source of tips and advices on how to keep our children safe around corded blinds and windows http://www.pildfamilynetwork.org/family/news_2008-08-25-18-52-28-963.html

RE: Helpful hints

RJake — Sat, 19 May 2007 14:26:41 GMT

That's awesome! Well done.. that's so helpful.

Another site I found that's really helpful especially for new parents is 'Ready Set Safe' which has a really good 'Home Safety Checklist' which helps to thoroughly go through your house and baby/child proof it.

When you've never done this 'baby' before, you've got no idea of what can be dangerous! I didn't even this about not putting the cot near blinds in case your baby gets the cord wrapped around their neck!! Anyways, it's at www.readysetsafe.com.au.

Good luck!

Helpful hints

Matilda — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:43:45 GMT

I’ve been cruising the forum, and great advice is scattered all over the place. So I’ve decided to create a new topic. HELPFUL HINTS. Now this can be based on anything, shopping, feeding, bathing etc. This is to help new mums and existing mums. Some things you may use, some things you may not. You use what is good for you.

So here it goes.

SHOPPING

Shopping for bub can get quite costly. So if you can save a few dollars here and there but not skimp on quality then I’m all for it.

Check out IKEA in your capital city (I believe only Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane). You can pick up some great buys. I bought my changing table and the changing mat there. The table cost $70, and the changing mat was I think about $15 (the mat is also inflatable). I also bought containers that clip onto the side of the table. One I use as a nappy bin, and the other one I use to put my wipes. That way the tray is clear for nappies and other baby stuff.

But Ikea has other great buys. They have fantastic toys at great prices, containers of all shapes and sizes to store, toys, clothes, you name it. I also picked up my baby bath for around $20. Works wonders.

BABY CLOTHES

Ei! How expensive can baby clothes be! And you have to constantly top up as they grow out of them so quickly. My bub is now & weeks and she’s already into 000!

If you in Vic, esp Melbourne go to the Snugtime, Big Softies sale. They hold a sale twice a year. You need an invitation for it, but you can register at the Snugtime website (www.snugtime.com.au) so don’t freak out. You can find their products and Myer, Target, Big W, Kmart, so they are quality items, but you can get it at half the price at the sale.

Create an account (if you haven’t already done so) with ebay. You’ll find fantastic stuff (and not just clothes), and you’ll have a ball at bidding (well I know I do). And when you have decided that you are done with having kids, you can then sell your stuff that you won’t need anymore. That way it works both ways.

Again if you are in Melbourne, check out Glenhuntly Baby Carriages. The service is fantastic, and they do deals if you buy a few things. I picked up my peg preggio pram there; it’s normally a $600 pram but got it for $480. They cater for everyone. Families that can spend whatever they want to families that are on a tight budget so don’t freak out.

NAPPIES AND CHANGING NEEDS

Whether it’s cloth or disposable you need them, and you need them regularly. So saving a few dollars here and there on nappies anyone would jump at the chance.

For those of us that are in SE QLD and Vic check out www.nappyland.com.au they also have stores if you prefer to buy it at the store. You can but huggies, baby love, snuggles in bulk and save a few quid at the same time. They sell whole other ranges of products not just nappies, but check them out the same.

Check out the chemist warehouse. Their online store is crap, so don’t even bother, they don’t have the same selection of products that they have in the store, which I think is really really really stupid. The formula I but is normally $14 at the supermarket. I can get it at the chemist warehouse for $11 a tin.

If you have The Warehouse (where everyone gets a bargain) near you, it pays to drop in and check out the baby section. Their baby wipes are fantastic (kwik brand), $2 for a packet of 80. They’re not super thick like some other leading brands out there, but they are thick and nice and soft and they do the job. They also have bottles, teats, pacifiers, toys etc at really good prices.

OTHER STUFF

I suffer from eczema, so I have to be careful with the things I use. So I tend to buy a lot of baby stuff. QV and Dermveen have great products that do help (some more than others). If you suffer really dry hands from constant washing of the hands (this doesn’t help my eczema on my hand either) invest in water free hand wash (great for the nappy bag as well). If you have a local Avon or Amway rep, consult them, and check out their range (not just the water free hand wash) while you are at it as well.

In Melbourne and the outer regions of Melbourne they have a magazine called Melbourne child. Their may be an equivalent in your capital city. If you see it, pick it up. It’s a good read with great advice.

Ok that’s my 2 cents worth. I know I long 2 cents, but if I can help someone else then it’s all worth it in the end.

*Matilda*