Well now that I am rethinking using the cloth diapers I am hoping you ladies can post your most frugal tips for infants/babies. I know breast feeding is the biggest money saver but I am looking for the other ones that help out.

The only major purchase we have to do is a car seat. We still have everythig else and a friend has a ton of girl stuff if we get a girl this time.

__________________
Live life to the fullest you don't know when it will all end!!!

I know when my youngest was a baby- i signed up with a bunch of diaper and food companies for babies (if you have to do formula sign up with either enfamil or similiac- they send great coupons and formula) and they would send tons of coupons. I would redeem the coupons at Target when they would mark things down (Target seems to mark down baby stuff all the time here- especially when they do a "bulk" display before back to school).

With my oldest I did the cloth diaper until she was about 4.5 months old-she had diarrea so bad, I had to resort to disposables- and she seemed to have diaper rashes all the time. I used only Luvs at the time- it was the only thing that did not seem to irratate her. With my youngest I used White Cloud (from Wal-Mart) a lot of the time with her, unless I got a good deal on another brand. The White Cloud case of diapers was for only I believe $14-$15. Congrats~

Cutting the wipes in 1/2 is awesome!! I buy the biggest pack of them (I prefer huggies wipes, but hate their diapers) and feel like I never am needing them. I even put the 1/2's in the travel wipe holders and am so happy w/it, I would never think of using a full sheet!!
I am breastfeeding, but since mine is 9 mos. old and eating food I am not producing as much so I am supplementing w/enfamil (now the toddler formula) and am trading coupons for it on here since for some reason when I signed up on all the babyfood, formula, diaper websites, I seem to only be getting similac coupons. hth!

Silly question but what do you use to cut them in half? Just a pair of scissors??

__________________
Live life to the fullest you don't know when it will all end!!!

Kim has a book out on baby saving tips- can't think of the name right now-
something like 1,00 baby saving tips.

The link to Kim's book is on the home page. I was looking at it on Amazon last night.

Don't buy a bunch of cute outfits. Others will give you some, and you shouldn't really have baby out much in the first three months anyway. Just buy some warm basics and a few outfits to go out in. They grow so quickly, so you'll end up not using some at all. No shoes this early. Just socks if it's chilly.

Do get sheets and blankets and plenty of diaper/burp cloths. Also get enough basic outfits (onesies, etc.) so you don't have to stress about laundry. You'll be busy enough. Mobiles are fun, but the baby's best toy is you in the younger ages (and for quite a long time).

__________________
Make someone's heart smile today.

I have a Boo Boo!

Oprah says, "Baby, I'm a-whaunt you!!"
Click here:http://mommysavers.com/boards/announ...tml#post787291to be on Oprah!

I was waaayyy frugal when my son was a baby. Start looking now at all the clearance sections in stores. Every so often you'll stumble across some incredible deals on baby stuff - even diapers, wipes, baby lotion, etc. if you are patient and just keep checking. Also, check out garage sales and goodwill type stores in your area for clothes, swings, toys, etc.

The best 'money-saving' advice I used when my DS was a baby was to make all my own baby food. It was not hard at all. It took a little time but saved soooo much money. I made baby food in bulk and froze it in ice cube trays so I could just reach in and grab a chunk of carrots, sweet potatoes, peaches, whatever and there was lunch. Baby food is soo expensive - I bet I saved hundreds of dollars doing this.

__________________
Better to give your kids the values you have
than the valuables you can't afford.

I was just thinking back to all the money I wasted with both Kelsey and Thomas. BORROW whatever you can from people. The only thing I wouldn't is a carseat. Research them, I got one for Kelsey that went from 5-100 pounds so that I was not replacing them every couple of years. The best 115 I spent at Target.

Diaper Bag - The hospital gives one to you, and sometimes a backpack works great.
Formula - I wouldn't buy ahead since you don't know what type you will use.
Watch sales - resale, yard sales, for baby items, but limit what you buy and ask yourself if you'll really use it. I used the entire time Swing, bouncy seat and just some toys.
I would buy a decent stroller- You don't need a fancy dancy one.

Check Craigs list and start early. I have found alot of great deals.

I'm not sure when your baby is due but I had my 2nd ds in the middle of June last year and he wore only onesies everyday. He had so many outfits, hand me downs from 1st ds and stuff people bought that he never got to wear. It was so hot he lived in the onesies, I made sure to buy plenty of those!

We stocked up on diapers and wipes a few months before my due date. I used coupons and bought on sale and stockpiled. I still buy a case of Walmart brand wipes for $7-something and I love them. I use them for everything though, not just for diaper changes.

If you use formula I would sign up at the Enfamil and Similac websites. They will send you samples and checks from time to time. They really help. Or ask your Ped when you are there, they get tons of samples.

It helps so much that you have someone to give you girl clothes if you'll need them and that you already have the boy clothes. My friend gave me back all the boy clothes I had given to her plus the stuff she had bought her ds. I ended up with a ton of clothes, I'll never have to buy any for Connor.

We have quite a few really nice Children's Resale Sales around here and I would definately look into those or a Consignment shop for the big items if they are needed.

My little girl is 1 1/2 now and if she is just a little wet, I don't change her. I read somewhere that diapers are so absorbent now that the moisture just gets whisked away from their skin. I really find this to be true. I can't believe I used to change her when her diaper wasn't wet at all just because I thought she "needed" a new one since she had been wearing the old one so long. She never has had a problem with rashes.