Thursday 23 January 2014

Baby on the cheap

So the news today is that the cost of raising a child to 21 is over £227000! Eek! But it got me thinking of how much stuff we buy for the tiniest of babies these days, and what do they really need. So here is my guide to baby's first year.
Food - breast milk exclusively until 6 months, then they can join in with family meals, and don't eat a lot before one anyway so shouldn't have a great impact on your pocket
Nappies - get reusable! I've spent less than £100 on nappies, wipes, nappy bin and wet bags. It's just an extra couple of washes a week.
Sleep - my youngest baby has shared my bed from newborn. I didn't plan it this way but with a feisty toddler to entertain in the day it was either co sleep or no sleep! I imagine he will be in with us until at least one so no need for a cot yet, even though he has his big brother's waiting for him.
Transport - car seat wise, I feel this is a necessary expense. Get the best you can afford and never buy second hand. But there's no need for a fancy pram/pushchair/travel system. Get a sling! Start with a stretchy wrap for your teeny newborn, then move on to a woven, ring sling or SSC as baby grows. My youngest has barely looked at the pushchair! Though, slings can be an expensive hobby so it's debatable whether it will save you money. But you can get more slings to the pound than pushchairs, and they're prettier!
Bathing - no need for plastic baby baths, babies don't need a daily bath anyway, and when they do it's much lovelier to just climb in with them, easier on the back too! Do invest in a snuggly soft towel though, I can recommend Cuddledry.
Clothing and toys - yes babies need clothes, but avoid tiny outfits. Much comfier for baby to live in a onesie in those early months, and they grow so quick. Buy a few simple vests and onesies, everyone will buy outfits and toys as gifts anyway, and most babies prefer a good old box and a wooden spoon to expensive toys!
I wish I'd thought more about this first time round, but the excitement just catches up with you and you want everything! And the benefit of hindsight is a great thing. Have I missed anything?

Saturday 11 January 2014

Sling meet sadness

A lovely mama took this pic of me at my last sling meet yesterday. 


Feeling a bit sad. I'm due to return to work in Feb, only a few hours, but most of them are on sling meet day. 

I attended my first sling meet back in February last year when heavily pregnant with my second son. I had used a babasling with my eldest, but was thinking I'd like something better so I could avoid a double pushchair! I asked for advice on my local Breastfeeding support group and was pointed in the direction of South Cheshire Baby Wearers. I remember my first meet in our local baby friendly cafe where I was totally clueless, but went home and ordered a Moby wrap from eBay - and the rest is history! 

Liam's first go in the Moby at around 10 days old.

I love my group, I've made some lovely friends and it's led to me being even more of a natural parent than I was. 

Looking around the hall yesterday, we had seasoned baby wearers trying out other people's wraps, newbies with teeny squishes being welcomed into our world, big kids happily playing together and, at least in my toddler's case - stealing all the cake and biscuits! I will miss being a part of it every month, but hope I can continue to spread the baby wearing love, join my group on our slingy socials, and maybe one day I'll be back on another maternity leave! 😉

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Resolutions

Happy New Year! 

So I think for the first time I have resolutions I actually intend to stick to, so here they are:

1. Do more craft activities with my toddler. And baby once he's old enough. 
2. Work on my patience. Most of the time we really do have all day so there's no point stressing about how slow my babies can be at doing things.
3. Encourage independence. Linked in with the above, I need to stop stepping in and rushing my toddler and just let him do things himself sometimes - we are starting with potty training!
4. Be a better housewife. By staying on top of cleaning and budgeting and cooking proper meals more regularly.
5. Be more frugal. In the hope of saving some money so we can enjoy doing some exciting family trips.
6. Take some time to become 'me' again. Instead of being only wife and mummy. Plans include joining the WI and learning to knit!
7. Keep up with this blog! 

So join me here in 2014 on my journey to be a better person all round!