Nanny to Mommy

1. Breastfeed
My TOP Tip for saving money with a baby is breastfeeding. No wasting anything, no cleaning anything. Even after breast pads (which Udder Covers sells a variety of reusable ones), cream, and a nursing cover (FREE Nursing Cover from Udder Covers with code BABYSAVINGS, just pay S&H), you still pay less than formula. If you need to pump, go through your insurance to get one. A law was just passed so you should be able to get a hospital grade quality pump completely free! Having supply issues? Try this Supply Boosting Cookie Recipe.
Although I am a very strong breastfeeding advocate, I do realize that it's not for everyone and sometimes you need to supplement, and formula is expensive. Here are some well-known formula makers, that you can sign up for email updates, along with money saving coupons and checks, they will sometimes send you samples. :)

2. Cloth Diaper
Okay I am going to be honest. I never cloth diapered. I did see a ton of benefits, except the extra laundry which meant more of my time. And being a full-time mom, plus taking care of my friend's daughter, AND now being a Professional Blogger, I feel my time is valuable. Now I am NOT saying that people who cloth diaper don't value their time. This is just the reason I didn't BUT saying all that, I am seriously considering it with my next baby.
The upfront cost is what is so hard to swallow. My friend found this site called Alvababy.com that sells cloth diapers for $5!!!
Now, again, I understand that clothing diapering isn't for everyone, so I suggest looking into the following retailers for possible coupons or samples. Also, there are a TON of printable coupons online as well.
Huggies, Pampers (save points through their Gifts To Grow program and get cool stuff, like FREE Shutterfly products). Thing to remember when buying diapers is, the bigger the diaper, the fewer in the package, so make absolutely sure before you move up a size. And remember nothing is wrong with store brand, test them out, they may work for you. And if you are couponing, buy in BULK. Tape the receipt to the box, so you can exchange them if need be.

3. Make Your OWN Baby Food
I made about half of Sweet Pea's baby food. I had a food processor that got shocked during a lightning storm, even though we have surge protectors. PLUS, I found jar baby food to be easier when we were on the go. But of course, even that didn't make the task any easier. Invest in a good food processor and you're good to go. Make a TON and then freeze it.
Not into Homemade Baby Food? I signed up with Beechnut (who send you a welcome package for whatever stage your child enters) and Earth's Best. I also contacted HappyBaby who sent me free samples and coupons to try their products. Of course I love Buddy Fruits as well. Look into ingredients with whatever baby food you choose.


4. Make Your OWN Baby Clothes
Okay I never did this, but I LOVE Pinterest and look at the most adorable things I have found:
Turn Old T-Shirts into Baby Sacks
Old Shirts into Dress
No Sew Onesie Make-Over
Those are just some ideas. You can also cut old onesies, hem it, and make them into shirts. Also look into garment extenders. There also a TON of online sites I love that sell baby clothes really cheap, including: Totsy, ThredUp (like new, used clothes), Zulily, and WittleBee. Another great way to save money on baby clothes is to shop consignment shops or yard sales. My mother-in-law did this for us. Our crib AND changing table were practically new, and she only paid $150 for both! So, deals are to be had and don't be afraid to haggle. Also, there are some online sites where you can exchange stuff, like TheBump's Swap Spot board, SwapMamas.com, there are multiple Facebook groups, or if you feel like risking it, Craig's List. I have had a lot of luck with TheBump and SwapMamas! ALSO, don't snub your nose at sales racks. There is nothing wrong with your baby wearing last year's fashion when you are on a budget!

5. Everything Can Be a Toy
Boxes, pots, and pans; OH MY! My daughters' FAVORITE toys are not the ones we intended for her. Although she loves her Sophie the Giraffe, is that a practical toy for the mom and dad who are on a budget to buy? Not really. Pans with plastic spoons are musical instruments. I also love Coffee mate containers filled with dry beans. They are BPA-free and make a great rattle!

6. Baby Gear is Expensive
Free is nice, but there are some things that are just going to be expensive because safety is more valuable in the long run. Car Seats are something you should NOT get used because you don't know if it was in a car accident. And even cheap ones can run between $60 to $100. If you don't get one as a baby shower gift, just remember, even the cheap ones have to meet the same standards according to government regulation as the higher end ones. You can read more about Car Seat Safety HERE.

7. Don't Waste Money on NON-Essentials
Poor new, first-time parents. We fall for the gimmicks left and right of things we MUST register for and buy to have everything ready for baby. I have found that a diaper changing pad on top of a dresser, can not only save money but also save space. And don't buy expensive crib bedding sets, the Consumer Product Safety Administration AND the American Academy of Pediatrics advise against thick comforters and crib bumpers. So why are they still sold like that? Beats me. But all you need is a fitted sheet and a thin blanket. You also don't NEED a wipe warmer either. Be practical and do your research. Don't register for it but if you get it as a gift just say, "Thank You". And just ask for the gift receipt later. :D

I hope you found this list helpful. And for the experienced parent's out there, what tips do you have to save money on baby?

I have compiled a list of my favorite yogurt recipes from Pinterest. Yogurt make for a light snack or can complement a meal. And yogurt is a great way to boost your metabolism! Please enjoy!


These are all super easy too!



1. Yogurt Dipped Strawberries; recipe found HERE.
"Love frozen fruit, and I adore yogurt. Put the two together, and you get this yummy snack!"

2. Breakfast Popsicles; recipe found HERE
"These breakfast popsicles are really simple to make but still soooo yummy."

3. Frozen Yogurt Dots via OnGoodThing.
"Oh, and they freeze SUPER FAST! So, if you’re in a hurry for your frozen snack…. pop some dots in the freezer and in less than an hour from now you’ll be enjoying your own delicious creamy treat!"

4. Healthy Waffle Cone Ice Cream; image found HERE

5. Lemon Frozen Yogurt via Anja's Food 4 Thought
"...am in love with this. I even prefer it to ice creams, as I love the tangy flavor that the yogurt brings with it, instead of the pure creaminess that cream or milk in regular ice cream has. A truly refreshing and guilt-free simmer dessert."

6. Mango and Yogurt Ice Pops via Wholesome Cook
"Healthier than their ice cream counterparts they are low in fat and have no added sugar. To spice them up a little, I have added some coconut milk and ground cinnamon."

7. Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberry Kabobs via One Good Thing by Jillee
"Warning: making Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Kabobs will result in purple finger syndrome, despite repeated licking of fingers during the kabob making process. Don’t panic. A little “Miracle Cleaner” (baking soda and peroxide) takes it right off. :-)"

8. Strawberry Lassi via Ambrosia Baking
"...something that could be prepared really fast, required no heat, and was refreshing."

Kroger offers the delicious yogurts you and your loved ones crave. For those watching their carb intake, CARBmaster is a yogurt lover’s dream. It’s formulated to be lower in carbs, calories and sugar than regular yogurt — and it still tastes great! With decadent flavors like Black Forest Cake and Cinnamon Roll, CARBmaster cultured dairy blends make for a guilt-free dessert any day.

If you’re looking for a tangier treat, try Kroger Greek or New Greek Lite yogurt. They’re a high source of protein (16g per serving!) with no fat and varieties like Blackberry Yumberry and Lemon Crème. And with the Greek Lite packing just 90 calories, you can afford to sample every delicious flavor.

Although I received free product from BzzAgent and Kroger to provide this post, the heart of this post is all my own.

I decided to share some of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes.

What are some of yours?

My sister-in-law is 32 weeks pregnant with her first baby. I decided that I would throw together a New Mommy Survival Kit for those first few weeks home. This could be a shower gift, hospital gift, or something you give them once the new mom is at home. You can mix an match any item you'd like, but I decided to go with a slightly more realistic approach than what I've seen on Pinterest. This might also make a GREAT gag gift that might actually come in handy!

Lansinoh Breast Cream/Pads
or other favorite breastfeeding care items
These are just the best! :D

Pacifiers/Soothies
If you want to be a human pacifier, that's up to you. But I did not and in my experience, it really isn't wise because they can get too full and be unhappy.

Bottled Water
When you are nursing, you are ALWAYS thirsty! Always carry water with you everywhere you go.

Power Bars
Perfect go to snack when the new mother needs fuel because they are making milk for a human after all.

Headband/Hair Ties
Who has time to fix their hair with a new baby around?
Throw it in a quick bun or use Goody Spin Clips instead. Love those things.

Chap Stick
You are thirsty ALL THE TIME when nursing. So your lips get dry a lot.

Breath mints/gum
A new, first time mom might have issues squeezing in time to brush their teeth in between nursing sessions. But fresh breath always make you feel so much better.

Depends/Pads
Yes, I went there. They didn't have a period for nine months, and now life is making up for it.

Hemorrhoid Cream
Shhh...it happens to the best of 'em.

Coffee/Gift Card
Could b for dad but after the constant up and down all night of feeding a baby, New Mom will need a little pick-me-up to get them going in the morning if they have some where they need to be.

Hand Sanitizer
Germs are everywhere. It is essentially important New Mom Cary's this with them, so whenever a family member wants to hold the baby, they can be prepared to make sure no one shares their germs with the new bundle of joy.

Dry Shampoo/Baby Powder
Who has time for a shower with a new baby?
Sweet Pea would always wake up and start crying as soon as I jumped in the shower, NO matter what time or day or what I did before.
Did you know baby powder is the key ingredient in Dry Shampoo? I'm fairly certain that is why it is included in those travel toiletry kits that are always given as baby shower gifts. Because they aren't suppose to be used with a newborn baby...

Coupon Vouchers for cleaning/cooking/baby sitting
THE. BEST. GIFT. EVER. I didn't prepare freezer meals before my Sweet Pea was born because of my month of bed rest. And it was awesome when friends and family brought food as our welcome home gifts. My mother-in-law also helped out with cleaning. As fun as it is to sit and hold a newborn baby, New Mom needs you to help with these chores while she heals and builds her breastfeeding bond with the baby. But those baby sitting vouchers will come in handy soon, trust me.


What would you include in a New Mom Kit?

Used the label found HERE.

It's been an interesting week to say the least. Hubby was off two days this week (YAY!) but that means I had another kiddo to clean up after (boo...). It was really nice to get to spend time with him though. I didn't have B on Tuesday and it was rainy/cold out so we stayed in our pajamas all day. :)

I'm so glad it's March. My birthday month! Plus, February sucked because this was the first month where the tax break was no longer in effect for us. And we weren't adjusted. But it's all good now. Plus Hubby finally got his raise from being promoted to Third Level Co-Manger, so next step means Store Manager! :D

Yesterday we went to Kroger and scored five loaves of bread for $0.59 each on Manager's Special and $1.79 a pound Tyson boneless chicken breasts. My famous Chicken Enchilada recipe with MexAmerica tortillas will be up this weekend. You're gonna love it.

We saved about 49%, but what did I say about not getting caught up with percentages? ;)

Since we didn't really coupon (just bought the necessities), I have compiled a list of some deals that I would have taken advantage of if I had the gas money. :/

And if you would like to know more about how we saved so much on essentials, I am going to write a post very soon about learning how to shop sales and read labels. Exciting stuff! :)

I posted my 10 Tips for Beginner Couponers, which has done really well. If you are an experienced couponer, I would love your input!