The Big 5 (Baby's First Foods)

There is a lot of debate about when to start your baby on solids.  Current recommendations say that breast milk or formula should be your baby's main source of nutrition until 6 months of age.  The reasoning for this is because breast milk or formula has everything your baby needs to develop properly and if you start solids too early then your baby could lose out on important nutrients.  When you start your baby on solids, it helps to know what foods are best to start with.  Here are the top 5 best first foods for your baby:

1. Sweet Potatoes
Easy to make, easy to digest, easy on the tummy, and easy on the taste buds!  Not to mention, they are one of the most nutritious veggies on the planet.  These little beauties have huge amounts of dietary fiber and beta carotene, calcium, iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin C and even Vitamin E.  

2. Avocado
It is said that if you were stranded on an island you could survive on avocados because of all of the nutrients it contains: healthy fats, fiber, potassium, iron, folate and even Vitamin E.  The reason I love the avocado so much is because you don't have to cook it!  Less work for mom, faster food for baby!

3. Carrots
Fresh produce can be expensive sometimes but these little treasures are always cheap and available year round.  Beta carotene, Folate, Vitamin C and even Calcium mean better vision, growth, and development; the maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes; immune functions; and even aids reproductive functions for your baby.
* Note: if possible, do not use baby carrots.  For more info, read the bottom of this post.

4. Bananas
Probably one of the easiest foods for your baby to digest and one of the easiest to prepare!  Just peel, mash, and feed to that watering baby mouth.  Important nutrients in bananas include: Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Calcium, Folate, Potassium and Fiber.  Hard to believe that so many nutrients are in such a delicious, creamy food!

5. Oatmeal
High in fiber, calcium, protein, some B vitamins, and 2 mg of iron per cup.  Less constipating and easy to buy and prepare.  TIP: Choose steel cut or rolled oats (not quick oats).  The less cutting and processing of the oats means more nutrients in the tummy.

Information retrieved from Wholesome Baby Food.  See more information @ http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

* Why should I not use baby carrots for my baby's food? 
“''Baby'' carrots are the product of modern technology and are specially formed by a machine that cuts them out from full sized older carrots. Some 'growers' add green food coloring at the 'stem' for further effect. One way to tell if a baby carrot is truly a baby carrot is to read its packaging. The common 'baby carrots' sold in the grocery store will actually say 'baby cut' carrots.
Baby cut carrots are cleansed in a solution that often contains chlorine so that they will not turn white while in the package. Skip these carrots and opt to peel and cut your own, especially if you will be making carrot baby food!"  

(http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/carrotsbabyfoodrecipes.html#.Ucj9vutrfgo)

 

EASY Binky Clip Tutorial

I was so excited about finding this super easy tutorial to make binky clips that I went to Hobby Lobby the same day to get the materials so I could make them.  You can make these in 5 minutes, save money by making your own, and customize the clips to match your style!  You can make 4 different binky clips for less than the price of buying one at the store.  Binky clips are great because babies love to spit out their binkies and if you don't have a clip then you are constantly washing them off or losing them.  Here is the video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=4g8Wc66xIw4

The lady in this video uses ribbon but if you want to get fancy fancy (or if you have a baby girl that you want to dress up) then get trim from a fabric store.  I loved the frilly, polka dot, and girly trims and thought they would make an adorable accessory for my baby girl.  

Experiment with different fabrics, ribbons, and trim to make cheap, cute binky clips that you'll be excited for your baby to wear!

HOW TO Pinch Your Pennies

Let's face it, having a baby is not cheap.  There are so many little (and big) expenses that really add up.  If you are like me, it can be a little overwhelming to think about everything you need to buy.  I wanted to have the perfect nursery that was decorated just right but we didn't have the money to buy everything I wanted.  Being a penny pincher motivated me to find whatever ways I could to save money but still get the cute nursery that I had dreamed of.  Here are my top 5 tips that helped me save money:

1) BUY USED & REDO! 
Buying something used and redoing it is a great way to have the perfect color/pattern/size for your baby's nursery but it also saves you a lot of money!  I had a white dresser pictured in my mind for the nursery but didn't have the money.  I couldn't find a dresser for less than $200 or $300 (and that's on the cheap end) on the internet or in stores.  After buying it used and redoing it, I had the perfect dresser for less than half the price.  (Click the link for my Buy Used & Redo post to see the dresser that my husband and I redid and to get tips on redoing your own dresser)  Another easy but cute thing to redo is an old lamp.  I bought an old lamp from my local thrift store (DI) and just added cute fabric and trim to the shade.  You can also spray paint the actual lamp to match your nursery.  Quick and easy but it adds a lot to a nursery!

2) DIY PROJECTS
Nursery decorations are really expensive and I had a hard time finding exactly what I pictured/what I wanted.  The great thing about DIY (do it yourself) projects is that you can customize the color/pattern/size of your decoration and it is WAY cheaper.  Here is a little project I did that I found on Pinterest.  It was really easy to do but added a cute little decoration.  (If anyone would like the tutorial then send me a message and I will send you the link) 

  
 If you haven't been on the famous Pinterest then allow me to introduce you to this amazing tool!  It has hundreds of DIY projects just waiting to be created.  You can just type "DIY nursery" in the search bar and it will come up with hundreds of ideas.  Have fun and be creative!

3) BUY USED/GENTLY USED
You can buy most things used for the nursery.  Dressers, lamps, bedding (wash really good), and even car seats and cribs.  The thing about car seats and cribs is that you need to be careful in buying used.
- Car seats have an expiration date (usually 5 to 10 years after the manufacture date) so if you buy used, make sure that it isn't expired or that it hasn't been in any accidents.  It is your child's safety on the line so be picky with the safety!
- Cribs.  Buying a used crib from a thrift store, yard sale, or neighbor can save you a lot a money.  Just make sure that the crib doesn't have any paint chips and doesn't have a drop down side.  There is a lot of controversy with this but from the research I did suggests that drop down side cribs are dangerous.  You can read more about it here: http://babyproducts.about.com/od/sleepbedding/a/drop_side_cribs_safety.htm
- Baby Clothes/Shoes.  Definitely ok to buy these used!  Babies go through clothes so fast so it's likely that the clothes you buy have only been used a couple times.  Just make sure you wash them really good.  It also helps to buy them from someone you know, if possible.

4) LOOK FOR DEALS/PROMOTIONS/COUPONS
I tried to find any possible way to save more money when I had to buy something for the nursery.  Most websites have promotion codes for 10% or 20% off or free shipping.  This can save you a lot of money!  I saved 20% on my diaper bag through a promo code.  I also signed up for a Target credit card to get 15% off my crib AND got free shipping.  Take the time to look for promo codes online because they could really help you save.  Another tip: always buy with a coupon!  Stores ALWAYS have coupons out and when you are making a big purchase, 10% or 20% off can make a big difference.

Click here to check out my post on FREE nursing covers, car seat covers, diaper bags, etc. for mothers.

5) STICK TO THE BASICS
Let's be honest, your baby won't remember the brand of clothes it is wearing or that you didn't buy the expensive furniture set for the nursery.  If you are struggling to buy all the things you want, stick to the basics and add more little things as you can.  Click here for a list of basic items for the baby.

Don't become overwhelmed, everything will work out.  Remember that the most important thing you can give your baby is your attention and love.