A "different" list of baby essentials and DIY wrap 2 for under $20.00!!!

I am a mother of 4.  I have been given SOOOO much baby advice.  And like all mothers...I keep the good and toss the rest..(OR call up my friends and laugh at the bizarre!! For example, tape a quarter to the baby's belly button to turn an outie into an innie! HA!)  Here is a list of some of THE best advice i've received and discovered for baby products.

1.) Sandwich bags: These things are great, cheap and found just about everywhere!  The reason they're fantastic...you can use them to pack paci's, dirty diapers, medicine AND outfits that get messy when you're out.  Explosive diarrhea can happen ANYWHERE.  Keep these handy in your diaper bag.  And not just for the diaper bag.  Nursery too.  Diaper genies are pricey...really..they are.  Once you add in all the refills...babies go A LOT!  Simply keep a box of sandwich bags by the changing table..put your dirty diapers in em.."zip" em up..and toss.  Cheap and effective odor control!

2.)Cloth diapers: If you are choosing to cloth diaper..then for obvious reasons.  If not..BURP CLOTHS!  They really are the best.  My cousin, Natasha (also a Mom of 4), got me a 13 pack when I was pregnant with my first baby, Natalie.  They really are fantastic.  They're actually absorbent! The cutesy ones in boutiques and at Walmart just aren't.  AND they're bleachable!  And 13 for around $10.00 versus $10.00 for 3 that are basically printed wash cloths...think about it!  And if cutesy prints are important to you...stitch some fabric over these.  You'd still come out saving $$$...and some of your tops.

3.)This Infant Bather: 

The reason it's awesome, well..it's mesh.  A newborn is not going to be able to sit comfortably in a plastic tub until they're able to sit.  At that point baby can just sit in the bathroom tub!  This little $13.00 (found at Walmart) mesh bather holds the baby softly.  The baby is not floating up or slipping down which happens in the big bulky plastic tubs.  AND it warms up with the water...because it's mesh and like a big cloth.  I love these things..they're cheap..and all you'll need until baby is ready to sit in the big people tub :)  You can go without ANY tub or bather by simply sitting in the tub with your baby or showering with baby.

4.)THE nasal bulb syringe from the hospital: DO NOT LOSE IT!  They're THE best one's you can have.  And I haven't been able to buy one in a store that can compete with the one's i've brought home from the hospital with me.  They're soft and flexible.  Perfect.  I don't know why you can't find them in that quality from a store...conspiracy!

5.)White men's T-shirts: This really isn't for baby.  And you really don't NEED them.  But I LOVE mine.  I have 20 white mens v-neck tee's.  They're perfect for days at home....and when you're just bringing baby home...especially if you're nursing...you don't really get out that often.  At least I don't.  They're cheap, bleachable (spit up and baby food stain friendly), they stretch and they look cute with jeans and a cardigan (for when people just SURPRISE you and show up to meet baby) OR with sweat pants.  They've become a staple in my Mommy wardrobe.
  That's really it for my list...so..here's a wrap tutorial :)
  If you've looked at the price tags on a Moby or Boba wrap you know they're not cheap.  What you may NOT know is...this is just a 10 ft. piece of Jersey knit cotton fabric.  Really....that's it.  Now...go check the price of jersey knit cotton fabric.  Yup..that's right....on average $3.97 a yard in a fabric store.  Since I live in HAZARD there is no fabric store.  So..off to Walmart I went.  I paid $18.86 for 5 yards.  That's all you need.  5 yards.  The fabric is usually 50-55 inches wide.  The wrap only needs to be 25!  So..BARGAIN..2 wraps for under $20.00 versus the price tag on a Moby.  I'll take it!  Of course you need to cut the fabric in half ...giving you two 5 yard pieces with the width of 25 inches each. TWO WRAPS! Fold one of your pieces in half again...and lets put this thing on!

 Find the middle of your fabric..place it in the center of your belly. SEAM side up.

 Like this! Where..it's really a personal comfort thing...but you'll want it pretty close under your breasts.

 Take one side....and wrap it behind and over your shoulder.  CAREFUL not to twist or bunch the fabric.  The seam "pocket" should be pointed at your face.

 Repeat for the other side.  AGAIN..Careful not to twist or bunch.















Should look like this in the back.

 Now....Take your shoulder pieces and hold them together...again...careful not to twist or bunch.

 Slide them under the piece at your navel.

 Now....this depends on which hand is your dominate hand. I'm right handed so I take the right piece over the left.  If you're left handed..do the opposite.

 AND tie it in the back.

 Take baby...lay baby on your dominate shoulder...my right.

 Open your little seam pocket.

 And slide baby in feet first.  Careful to make sure there is fabric between your chest and baby.  Baby's head should be resting pretty close/on your heart.

My snuggle buddy was lifting his head though. Take the other pocket and fold over baby.  Like so.

 Now take the bottom piece and pull over baby's bottom.

 And on up!

My little snuggle buddy was wiggly...but here he is...all snuggled in and i'm hands free!  To eat...to paint...to sew..to shop.  And there ya have it!  Wear your baby..on a budget!