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Last time we discussed feeding for mom and baby while on a budget. This week, we are going to find out exactly what mom and baby need in the area of clothing and how to dress with a frugal flair.
Before baby gets here, Mom is going to expand, a lot. As Mom expands, so too must her clothing. There are many ways to get around the expense of buying maternity clothes that you will actually wear for only a few months. If you are one of the lucky folks that are good with a sewing machines, and have a little extra time on your hands, you could make your own maternity clothes. Elizabethlee.com offers some cute sewing patterns for expecting ladies for a nominal fee, while www.geocities.com/Heartland/River... offers a variety of links to maternity and nursing wear patterns on the web.
Before your baby gets here, you will want to buy a few things. There is no need to go overboard in this area. Realistically, you newborn will only need a few things. Your list of "must haves" should consist of 3-6 onesies, diapers, a few hand towels for burp cloths, a couple of sleepers, 3 outfits to wear out in public, a coat if born in the colder months, one package of socks, 2 blanks, a couple bibs and of course, bottles should you decide to bottle feed. Purchasing all of these products at a thrift store should run you less than $20.
Some people prefer the less costly method of making their own cloth diapers. Should you decide to go this route a Web site that offers free patterns for diapers is: www.mindsync.com/diapersewing/.... Personally, I do not have the patience to wash the diapers with "stinky surprise packages" that babies tend to give Mom or Dad. For those people like myself who prefer disposables, you should buy only one package of newborn diapers then one package of small diapers before the birth. Babies tend to either be to big for newborn sizes or grow out of them quickly.
One thing I always advise new parents is to not waste money on newborn sized clothes unless your baby is premature or especially small, they will grow out of them in less than a month. Find out if any friends, family or co-workers have any pre-used baby clothes that they would part with. Asking my family got me enough clothes to put on my eldest daughter clear up to 4 years of age for free, and she still never wore everything!
Another web site that offers patterns and crafts for children is Housenet.com's Sewing Ideas Section: www.housenet.com... for those of you who can sew.
About The Author: Debra Vaughn is a stay-at-home mother to 3 young girls. She is a freelance writer in her spare time. Debra Vaughn also edits and publishes The Family Budgeteer Bi-Monthly Online and Newsletter which can be found at http://www.familybudgeteer.com to subscribe email: Familybudgeteer-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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