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👶 Frugal Baby Tips: Smart Ways to Save on Mom & Baby
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items Babies are expensive, but there are plenty of ways to save! 👶💰 I’ve gathered some of my favorite tried-and-true frugal baby tips and practical ideas for spending less without sacrificing the things that matter. Find money-saving ideas for diapers, ...
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Sections
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🧸 Choking Prevention & Toy Safety
Foaming Baby Wash: A Simple Money-Saving Trick
🧻Save the Toilet Paper! Toddler & Pet-Proof Ideas
🧶Baby Bum Soakers: Frugal Wool Diaper Covers
🧸 Choking Prevention & Toy Safety
Babies explore everything with their mouths! 👶 Keeping small objects out of reach is one of the simplest ways to help reduce choking hazards. Here's an easy frugal trick I used for spotting potentially dangerous small items around the house, plus a ...
One of my favorite frugal baby-safety tricks costs absolutely nothing! An empty toilet paper tube can be a handy, extra-cautious way to spot small toys and household objects you may want to keep away from babies and toddlers. If something fits easily...
A toilet paper tube is larger than an official small-parts testing cylinder, so it isn't a substitute for an approved tester. I simply like it as an easy, conservative check using something almost everyone already has at home.
Read my original Frugal Baby Tip here: myfrugalbabytips.com/2012/07/child-safety-baby-choke-tester.html
[Image: Apparently baby safety looked a little different back then. 😂]
A toilet paper tube is larger than an official small-parts testing cylinder, so it isn't a substitute for an approved tester. I simply like it as an easy, conservative check using something almost everyone already has at home.
Read my original Frugal Baby Tip here: myfrugalbabytips.com/2012/07/child-safety-baby-choke-tester.html
[Image: Apparently baby safety looked a little different back then. 😂]
💡 My Frugal Baby Choke-Check Trick
If you prefer an actual choke tester instead of my free toilet paper tube trick, this would be my pick.
Safety 1st is a well-known baby-safety brand, and this one is actually less expensive than some of the generic options I found. Use it to check small toys, loose pieces and all those mysterious little objects babies somehow find on the floor. 😂
If an object fits completely inside the tester, treat it as a potential choking hazard and keep it away from children under 3. For the price and the familiar brand name, I don't see a reason to spend more on another single tester. (ad)
Safety 1st is a well-known baby-safety brand, and this one is actually less expensive than some of the generic options I found. Use it to check small toys, loose pieces and all those mysterious little objects babies somehow find on the floor. 😂
If an object fits completely inside the tester, treat it as a potential choking hazard and keep it away from children under 3. For the price and the familiar brand name, I don't see a reason to spend more on another single tester. (ad)
⭐ Safety 1st Choke Tester: Trusted Brand, Budget-Friendly Pick
This 3-pack makes sense if baby spends time in more than one place. Keep one with the toys, one in the diaper bag, and give the third to Grandma, a babysitter or another caregiver.
They're handy for checking small toys, toy parts and all those random little things babies somehow manage to find before we do. 😂
If an object fits completely inside the tester, keep it away from children under 3.
I like this option for families who want several testers without having to remember to carry one everywhere. (ad)
They're handy for checking small toys, toy parts and all those random little things babies somehow manage to find before we do. 😂
If an object fits completely inside the tester, keep it away from children under 3.
I like this option for families who want several testers without having to remember to carry one everywhere. (ad)
🏠 Choke Tester 3-Pack: Keep One Wherever Baby Plays
Foaming Baby Wash: A Simple Money-Saving Trick
Baby wash can disappear surprisingly fast, especially when you're bathing a slippery little one! 😂 One of my longtime frugal tricks has been using a foaming dispenser with baby wash. I find the foam easier to manage during bath time, and a little pr...
I've been doing this for years! Instead of squirting liquid baby wash straight from the bottle, I reuse an empty foaming-soap dispenser. I find foam much easier to handle when I'm trying to wash a slippery baby or shampoo baby's hair. 😂
My old trick was to put about an inch of liquid baby wash in the foaming dispenser, fill the rest with water and give it a shake. It made one bottle of baby wash last me much longer. You can also buy reusable foaming dispensers instead of saving an o...
If you're diluting a baby wash, keep in mind that you're changing the manufacturer's original formula, so make small batches, keep the dispenser clean, and discard it if anything about the mixture changes.
My old trick was to put about an inch of liquid baby wash in the foaming dispenser, fill the rest with water and give it a shake. It made one bottle of baby wash last me much longer. You can also buy reusable foaming dispensers instead of saving an o...
If you're diluting a baby wash, keep in mind that you're changing the manufacturer's original formula, so make small batches, keep the dispenser clean, and discard it if anything about the mixture changes.
💡 My Frugal Baby Tip: Make Baby Wash Go Further
Why I like this one: This is the nicer reusable option for my foaming baby wash trick. You add liquid soap and water using the fill lines on the bottle, and the pump does the rest, turning it into foam.
I especially like the suction cup on the bottom. Anything that helps keep the soap bottle in place when you're trying to hold onto a wet, slippery baby gets bonus points from me! 😂
It's more expensive than a basic foam dispenser, but a good choice if you want something designed to be refilled and reused. (ad)
I especially like the suction cup on the bottom. Anything that helps keep the soap bottle in place when you're trying to hold onto a wet, slippery baby gets bonus points from me! 😂
It's more expensive than a basic foam dispenser, but a good choice if you want something designed to be refilled and reused. (ad)
🫧 Cuisipro Foam Pump: My Reusable Pick
Johnson's Head-to-Toe is one of the baby washes I've used with my foaming-dispenser trick. You don't need to buy a special soap to try my tip. If this is already the baby wash you use, just use what you have!
I like a head-to-toe wash because one bottle can handle baby's hair and body, which means one less product cluttering up the bath area... and one less thing to buy. 😂 (ad)
I like a head-to-toe wash because one bottle can handle baby's hair and body, which means one less product cluttering up the bath area... and one less thing to buy. 😂 (ad)
👶 Johnson's Head-to-Toe Wash & Shampoo
Aveeno is another baby wash I've used with my foaming-dispenser trick. I included it because not every baby does well with the same products, so if Aveeno already works for your baby's skin, there's no reason to switch just to try my money-saving tip...
It's another hair-and-body wash, so you can use one product for bath time instead of buying separate shampoo and body wash. My frugal rule: don't replace something that already works just because somebody recommends something different! 😂 (ad)
It's another hair-and-body wash, so you can use one product for bath time instead of buying separate shampoo and body wash. My frugal rule: don't replace something that already works just because somebody recommends something different! 😂 (ad)
🌾 Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo: Another Gentle Option
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You definitely don't need a fancy dispenser for this trick! 😂 These basic refillable foam pumps come in a 2-pack, making them a less expensive option if you just want something simple that works.
I'd keep one by the bathtub for baby wash and use the second for hand soap, or keep it as a spare. And if you already have an empty foaming-soap bottle at home that you can clean and reuse? Even better.
Use that and spend nothing! (ad)
I'd keep one by the bathtub for baby wash and use the second for hand soap, or keep it as a spare. And if you already have an empty foaming-soap bottle at home that you can clean and reuse? Even better.
Use that and spend nothing! (ad)
💰 2-Pack Foaming Soap Dispensers: My Budget Pick
🧻Save the Toilet Paper! Toddler & Pet-Proof Ideas
If you've ever discovered an entire roll of toilet paper on the bathroom floor, stuffed into the toilet, or trailing through the house, you know why I came up with this one! 😂 Here's my practically-free DIY toilet paper roll protector, plus a few re...
Toddlers and toilet paper... what could possibly go wrong? 😂
I came up with this frugal little solution using an empty 2-liter soda bottle.
Cut the center section of the bottle to fit over your toilet paper roll, add a slot for the paper to come through, and you've got an almost-free toilet paper roll protector that can at least slow down determined little hands... or paws!
And because apparently I couldn't waste ANY part of a soda bottle, I used the leftover bottom to make flower-shaped ice cubes and the top as a funnel for sand play. 😂
My original tutorial has the measurements, step-by-step instructions and photos showing how I made mine.
👉 See my full Frugal Baby Tip: http://www.myfrugalbabytips.com/2012/07/child-safety-save-that-toilet-paper.html
I came up with this frugal little solution using an empty 2-liter soda bottle.
Cut the center section of the bottle to fit over your toilet paper roll, add a slot for the paper to come through, and you've got an almost-free toilet paper roll protector that can at least slow down determined little hands... or paws!
And because apparently I couldn't waste ANY part of a soda bottle, I used the leftover bottom to make flower-shaped ice cubes and the top as a funnel for sand play. 😂
My original tutorial has the measurements, step-by-step instructions and photos showing how I made mine.
👉 See my full Frugal Baby Tip: http://www.myfrugalbabytips.com/2012/07/child-safety-save-that-toilet-paper.html
💡 My Frugal Baby Tip: DIY Toilet Paper Roll Protector
I originally added toilet paper covers to this list to stop toddlers and pets from destroying the roll, but I like that this one can travel with you too! 😂
The fabric cover has a carry handle, so it would be handy for camping, RV trips or anywhere you want to keep a roll clean and contained.
It's the least expensive of these ready-made options. (ad)
The fabric cover has a carry handle, so it would be handy for camping, RV trips or anywhere you want to keep a roll clean and contained.
It's the least expensive of these ready-made options. (ad)
Portable Toilet Paper Cover: My Travel & Camping Pick
For a more permanent solution, I'd choose this style for a particularly determined toddler or pet. 😂
The roll sits inside an enclosed ABS holder instead of simply having a guard over the front, and the top doubles as a little shelf for your phone, glasses or other bathroom odds and ends. It's self-adhesive, so there's no drilling required.
I think you get quite a bit more functionality for only a few dollars more than the simpler covers. (ad)
The roll sits inside an enclosed ABS holder instead of simply having a guard over the front, and the top doubles as a little shelf for your phone, glasses or other bathroom odds and ends. It's self-adhesive, so there's no drilling required.
I think you get quite a bit more functionality for only a few dollars more than the simpler covers. (ad)
Enclosed Toilet Paper Holder With Shelf: Most Protected Pick
If you already have a toilet paper holder you like and just need to stop little hands or paws from attacking the roll, this is the simplest ready-made option I'd consider.
It fits over the existing roll, even mega rolls, so there's no drilling or replacing your holder.
It's not as cheap as my recycled soda-bottle version... but it requires considerably less crafting. 😂 (ad)
It fits over the existing roll, even mega rolls, so there's no drilling or replacing your holder.
It's not as cheap as my recycled soda-bottle version... but it requires considerably less crafting. 😂 (ad)
No-Tool Toilet Paper Roll Guard: Easiest Add-On Pick
🧶Baby Bum Soakers: Frugal Wool Diaper Covers
Want to use wool diaper covers without spending a fortune on them? You don't necessarily need to be an expert knitter or crocheter! I used to share several ways to make your own wool soakers, including an incredibly simple version made from an old wo...
This is one of my favorite truly frugal baby projects because you can turn an old 100% wool sweater into a reusable diaper cover... even if you can't knit or crochet!
I called them “Baby Bum Sweaters.” 😂
I made mine by cutting equal-sized triangles from old, shrunk and felted 100% wool sweaters and sewing them together.
Depending on the size, you can often get two smaller baby bum sweaters from one adult sweater.
Check thrift stores and secondhand shops for inexpensive wool sweaters. Even better, rescue one that's already accidentally been shrunk and felted, because somebody else's laundry disaster can become your bargain. 😂
Wool has traditionally been used over cloth diapers because it can help manage moisture while remaining breathable, making it a practical alternative to plastic diaper covers.
My original tutorial includes the full instructions and pictures: 👉 myfrugalbabytips.com/2012/09/frugal-diapering-make-your-own-baby-bum.html
I called them “Baby Bum Sweaters.” 😂
I made mine by cutting equal-sized triangles from old, shrunk and felted 100% wool sweaters and sewing them together.
Depending on the size, you can often get two smaller baby bum sweaters from one adult sweater.
Check thrift stores and secondhand shops for inexpensive wool sweaters. Even better, rescue one that's already accidentally been shrunk and felted, because somebody else's laundry disaster can become your bargain. 😂
Wool has traditionally been used over cloth diapers because it can help manage moisture while remaining breathable, making it a practical alternative to plastic diaper covers.
My original tutorial includes the full instructions and pictures: 👉 myfrugalbabytips.com/2012/09/frugal-diapering-make-your-own-baby-bum.html
♻️ My Frugal Baby Tip: Turn an Old Wool Sweater Into a Diaper Cover
If you're a crocheter rather than a knitter, you can still make your own wool diaper covers!
I went looking for easy crochet soaker patterns and gathered some of the free ones I found into one place.
Ravelry is one of my favorite places to look for knitting and crochet patterns, but I found several other options too, so I put them together to make the hunt a little easier.
Pair one of the patterns with 100% wool yarn, and you can make your own reusable baby bum soakers instead of buying ready-made wool covers.
👉 See the free crochet soaker patterns: myfrugalbabytips.com/2009/04/diaper-sewing-crochet-soaker-patterns.html
I went looking for easy crochet soaker patterns and gathered some of the free ones I found into one place.
Ravelry is one of my favorite places to look for knitting and crochet patterns, but I found several other options too, so I put them together to make the hunt a little easier.
Pair one of the patterns with 100% wool yarn, and you can make your own reusable baby bum soakers instead of buying ready-made wool covers.
👉 See the free crochet soaker patterns: myfrugalbabytips.com/2009/04/diaper-sewing-crochet-soaker-patterns.html
🧶 Free Crochet Wool Soaker Patterns for Cloth Diapers
If you're knitting or crocheting a wool diaper cover instead of recycling an old sweater, I'd choose a practical 100% wool yarn like this one.
Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool is 100% pure virgin wool and comes in a large 465-yard skein, so you're getting plenty of yarn for your DIY projects. It's also suitable for felting, which makes it a particularly nice fit with the wool-soaker ideas I've s...
Before ordering, check the pattern you're using for the recommended yarn weight and amount. And before buying any yarn at all, check your craft stash first.
Free wool is my favorite wool! 😂 (ad)
Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool is 100% pure virgin wool and comes in a large 465-yard skein, so you're getting plenty of yarn for your DIY projects. It's also suitable for felting, which makes it a particularly nice fit with the wool-soaker ideas I've s...
Before ordering, check the pattern you're using for the recommended yarn weight and amount. And before buying any yarn at all, check your craft stash first.
Free wool is my favorite wool! 😂 (ad)
🐑 Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool: My Practical Pick for DIY Soakers
If you're going to try one of my crocheted baby-soaker patterns, you'll need the right size hook for the yarn and pattern you're using.
You don't need an enormous collection to get started, but a basic set gives you several sizes for future projects too.
Check the pattern first so you know which hook size you'll actually need before buying anything. No sense buying craft supplies you won't use! 😂 (ad)
You don't need an enormous collection to get started, but a basic set gives you several sizes for future projects too.
Check the pattern first so you know which hook size you'll actually need before buying anything. No sense buying craft supplies you won't use! 😂 (ad)
🧶 Crochet Hooks for Making Your Own Soakers
Love the idea of wool soakers but don't want to make your own? You can buy them ready-made, too!
They're a handy option if you want the benefits of a wool diaper cover without hunting down a pattern, yarn and crochet hooks first.
I like including this option because DIY isn't everyone's idea of fun. 😂 (ad)
They're a handy option if you want the benefits of a wool diaper cover without hunting down a pattern, yarn and crochet hooks first.
I like including this option because DIY isn't everyone's idea of fun. 😂 (ad)
🐑 Ready-Made Wool Diaper Covers