Considering Cloth Diapers

This month my husband and I have been toying with the idea once again to go cloth. We discussed during my pregnancy with out first child, but just didn't have the money for the start up cost. We have found that we like Luvs diapers and we typically buy the box with about 100 diapers (for size 3). It seems every time we turn around we are having to buy another box, it ends up being about twice a month which totals about $40 per month on diapers.

I have a few friends who use cloth and they love it. So I decided to research the cloth diapers out there. I was amazed at the selection and variety. The Blueberry diaper seems to be a favorite by many mommies out there but they are one the more expensive diapers. I am considering purchasing GroBaby, SmartiPants, and/or Fuzzibunz diapers.

Cool Princess Potty...or so we thought!

Since my daughter almost 19 month old seemed willing and interested in the potty, we went out and got what we thought would be a really fun and cool potty. It was a Fisher Price Princess Potty that made "royal sounds" when it was peed in. There is a sensor in the bowl. Unfortunately, I think the sounds freaked my daughter out and now she doesn't was to sit on it. She almost acts scared of the potty. Though, 19 months is still early for many toddlers to start the potty training process, I did have high hopes. I suppose we'll have to put it off for a little while.

It's Been A While

I got busy being a Mommy and attending undergrad. school. I recently graduated with a teaching certificate in May, however, due to the current economy and budget cuts was unable to get a job. This has shown me that you can do anything you set your mind to, whether you are a mom or not. Finishing school with an infant was difficult but worth it and made me very proud of myself. I am thankful for the great amount of support I had from my family and especially my mother and husband.

I also recently found out that our family will be growing by two more tiny little feet! I will soon have a two year old and a new born! I had hoped to have my little ones a little further apart but everyone tells me that I timed it perfectly.

My daughter is beginning to be interested in the potty so maybe I'll get lucky! :-)

Saving Money on Groceries

There are a few things I do that has really saved me money. One thing that I highly recommend, that is if you shop at Publix, is to join the Publix Baby Club. It's free to join and you get some really great coupons. I joined about a month or two before I had my daughter and received several coupons in the mail. All coupons were redeemable only at Publix, so if you don't shop at Publix it may not be worth while for you. The coupons included a couple of free items (rubbing alcohol, Beach Nut Cereal) and several buy one, get one free items. There were coupons for formula and coupons for nursing items if you breast fed, such as coupons for disposable nursing pads and Lansinoh cream. 

Another way to save money is to collect coupon circulars found in the news paper. There is a web site called couponmom.com that you can go to and find the best deals. The lady who is head of it uses the coupons circulars and tells you when and what coupons to use to save the most money. It takes a little time and planning but the savings is worth it. We often save 50% and sometimes more, thus cutting our grocery bill in half! We have a Publix and a Kroger that are right across the street from one another, so I often go to couponmom.com to see which is cheaper and split my grocery bill accordingly. That way I don't any more gas since they are right across the street and I am getting the best bargain for my money. I have the couponmom web site in my links section, so feel free to check it out.  

Diapers

I plan to try cloth diapers eventually, however, currently I don't have the money. From what I have gathered, the initial cost of cloth diapers can be a little pricey but over all it saves you money. 

As far as disposable diapers goes, I have tried a few different varieties. I shop at Publix and their brand of diapers are really great. I also like Pampers, though a little more pricey, they are really great. Another diaper which is also really great but costs less than Pampers is Luvs. Luvs are great and cost less. 

I have also tried Huggies. I was not impressed with Huggies. My daughter had a blow out practically every time. Huggies just doesn't hold up in my experience. Another diaper that I have tried, which also doesn't hold up is Parents Choice. I saw these at Wal Mart and thought they'd be a good buy. I found them worse than Huggies. 

I would consider either Luvs or Pampers the best, with Publix brand coming in a close second. 

Baby Carriers

From my conversations with experienced moms, I havw found the two preferred carriers to be the Snugli brand and the Maya Wraps. I bought a Snugli carrier and was given a Maya. While the Snugli seems to be very comfortable to me, my daughter does not seem to like being in it. She loves to Maya wrap though. I have to admit when I saw the large piece of fabric with two on one end I was skeptical on whether or not it was safe and would hold my baby. However, I was assured by more than one mother that it was great. So I gave it a try at home and quickly became a fan. Not only does my daughter love to be carried in it, it is also very comfortable for me. I use almost every time we go out and often around the house when I need two hands. My husband even uses it to carry our daughter from time to time. The web site has video on how to wear it and the different positions you can carry your baby. I have the link in my helpful baby sites section. The great thing about the Maya wrap is I can use until she is three or four (depending on weight), where as the Snugli I would have to keep upgraded as she grows. Though I still think the Snuglis are great, my daughter just isn't interested.

Benefits of Breast Feeding

I thought I would share some of the benefits of breast feeding. I mentioned in a previous blog that breast feeding was beneficial, but I realized many people may not know the benefits. While I was pregnant I researched the benefits of breast feeding. The information I am giving you came from a variety of sources: Internet, news and magazine articles, books, and conversations with experienced moms. The most helpful book I found was: The Breastfeeding Book by Martha and William Sears. They are a husband and wife team: she's a nurse and he's a pediatrician.

Benefits for the baby:
1) Stronger immune system (which means less doctors visits)
2) "Children who were breastfed have higher IQ scores averaging 7 to 10 points higher than children who were formula fed." (The Breastfeeding Book, chapter 1)
3) Better nutrition (breast milk has less fats and better nutrients that formula)
4) Better for digestion and intestines (a baby's intestines are still developing and sometimes formula can be less friendly to a baby's developing intestines)
5) Poo diapers are less stinky
6) Promotes better eyes, hearing, breathing, and hearts (The Breastfeeding Book, chapter 1)
7) Healthier skin

Benefits for the mom:
1) Faster recovery from delivery
2) Faster weight loss
3) Reduced risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers (The Breastfeeding Book, chapter 1)
4) Promotes relaxation
5) Less likely to suffer from osteoporosis
6) Provides a way to closely bond with your baby
7) You are less likely to have a period while breast feeding and breast feeding can also help with natural child spacing; "...most [breastfeeding] mothers do not ovulate and do not have menstrual periods." (The Breastfeeding Book, chapter 3)

***Note: There are variables and every woman is different, so don't solely rely on breast feeding as a preventative measure for pregnancy. I am just sharing information I have found, you still may want do some of your own research.***