tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3775513815859324393..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Babies and booksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56107365334982331142012-12-09T07:19:43.987+10:002012-12-09T07:19:43.987+10:00I made an entire stash of pocket nappies for $43 u...I made an entire stash of pocket nappies for $43 using new materials. Had I gone to the op shop it would've been even cheaper. I have never bought baby clothes new as I had many many given to me and so with each stage I stored them and brought them out again when my second son was born.<br />All nursery furniture was also given to me and thus cost nothing.<br /><br />If you can BREASTFEED as long as possible, not only is it natural and your baby's normal food. If you can't Breastfeed check out Human Milk for Human babies on Face Book as donor Breast milk is FREE minus the cost to get it to you vs $20-$25 per can X2 cans per week for the next 2 years.<br /><br />Also check out Elimination Communication. Did it with both sons and had them out of nappies in less than a year vs the next 2.5-3 years.<br /><br />congratulations and good LuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5746233766436848622012-09-28T12:55:00.769+10:002012-09-28T12:55:00.769+10:00I viѕit eѵeryday a few blogѕ аnd blogs to read
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i own ...Hi, і reаd уоur blοg fгom timе to timе and <br />i own a sіmilar οne and i was juѕt wοndering if you get a <br />lot оf spam responses? If so hoω do <br />yоu rеԁuce it, аny plugin oг anything you <br />сan recommenԁ? I get so much lately it's driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.<br /><i>my website</i>: <b><a href="http://cemet.eti.pg.gda.pl/user/view.php?id=8838&course=1#http://Buy-Clenbuterol.info/" rel="nofollow">americans overweight</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40786973263650641872012-06-03T22:13:33.605+10:002012-06-03T22:13:33.605+10:00So many good comments.
We were told to make a nu...So many good comments. <br /><br />We were told to make a nursery and so we did up a room. It was a waste of time and money. She slept in our room and played at my feet. There was no need. <br /><br />Aim to have two different baby carriers. One for quick use when shopping. Easy to put on/off in a carpark (we love a ring sling or a baby hawk). One that is supportive for the baby to sleep on around the house (we love the Maya Tie or the Ergo). <br /><br />We bought our first pram when our daughter was 6months old. I used to push her to the shops, put her in the carrier and then fill the pram with shopping. A good pram is worthwhile, but not nessecary for quite a while. Shopping with a pram is very impractical. <br /><br />We love our little newborn sleeper. It cost about $50 at Target. We use it so our newborn can sleep near us during the day. <br /><br />We used our change table for the first few months of both children but after that we used the floor. <br /><br />We use the Antilop high chair (ikea) when they can sit up so she can be near us.Casshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11178358479091135513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69179406011304696282012-05-31T21:43:00.214+10:002012-05-31T21:43:00.214+10:00My best three tips for down to earth baby raisimg ...My best three tips for down to earth baby raisimg are to breastfeed for as long as you can (if you can of course) eg two years, use plain old terry toweling nappies with snappies and make your baby's food from scratch. The benefits of breastfeeding are developing a loving bond with baby and better health for baby. These are all well explained on the ABA website. But you will also save lots of money by not buying formula and bottle paraphanalia as well as avoiding medical and pharmacy costs. Plain terry nappies are cheap, can be folded to fit any size, comfy, hygienic (I think more so than tailored nappies which I have also used but found less comfortable for baby and harder to launder) and easy to wash and quick to dry. When baby gets on to solids find a nice, friendly small saucepan and cook up seasonal fruits and then vegies, meat, fish, pasta or rice can be simmered into tasty stews, soups and rissotos. Take a portion of your dinner and blitz it with a stick blender and voila... baby will dine in style already learning to love your family favourites. Pop some spares in baby portions in the fridge or freezer for when you are short on time. Finally sing to and dance with baby and take her everywhere you go (well within reason). A baby carrier will let you keep baby close and also let you do a few things around the house- my babies loved their carrier and preferred it to the pram in the first few months. Hope this helps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90828752913984514582012-05-31T19:49:33.352+10:002012-05-31T19:49:33.352+10:00This has come at a great time for me. I'm 5 mo...This has come at a great time for me. I'm 5 months pregnant with my first & it's quite overwhelming trying to prepare with everyone telling you how expensive having a baby is & all the "stuff" you "have" to have.<br />I have so far bought from ebay a cot for $35, a bassinet for $40 & a changetable for $10. I have also got just about all the clothes we'll need for the first few months from op-shops, lots of bonds wondersuits for $2 each.Fortunately within my close group of girlfriends we seem to have managed to time our babies about a year apart for each so there is plenty of baby equipment that is being passed around like a baby bath, bumbo seat, high chair, bouncers & sterilisers so that's alot of money saved!mon_and_miahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13369765579615832316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69034957878845187022012-05-31T17:59:00.966+10:002012-05-31T17:59:00.966+10:00Hi Rhonda and everyone,
I know of a great little s...Hi Rhonda and everyone,<br />I know of a great little shop in Melbourne. Tracey sells quality second hand baby and childrens things.<br />Handmedowns.com.au is the website....She says "we are REALLY cheap, and great quality!"<br />Hope this helps<br />DaylaDaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544561530618570093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11878164441515554072012-05-31T17:00:06.779+10:002012-05-31T17:00:06.779+10:00Gaye, I'm sorry to read about the loss of your...Gaye, I'm sorry to read about the loss of your BIL. I send my best to your family and hope things are improving now. I hope we run into each other. If you see me, please introduce yourself. I'm usually in Maleny on Mondays and Tuesdays so if you're there come to the neighbourhood centre and have a cuppa.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29403629209926297642012-05-31T16:18:34.177+10:002012-05-31T16:18:34.177+10:00Rhonda, three years ago when my husbands brother c...Rhonda, three years ago when my husbands brother committed suicide, we were rocked to our very core. That moment, started us talking about living a more simple life. My husband grew up on a family property in Tasmania where his Mum lived very similarly to you. She is very used to making do with what you have, making meals out of practically nothing and always reusing and recycling - things she was taught to do growing up.<br /><br />With the busyness of life, we have lost that simpleness and have felt we had no way to get to it either. Losing a brother in the way we did, brought home to us that life is not meant to be so full of stress and pressure and that somehow we had to change our life.<br /><br />That, dear Rhonda, is where you come in. I stumbled across your blog around Christmas last year and oh my gosh....you were just what we needed. I have now bought your book and between your book and your blog, we are slowly making our way to a more simple life. Rhonda, I can't thank you enough. You may never meet me (although I live in Woombye so one day hope to run across you somewhere), but I just want to say a Huge thank you. Thank you for allowing us each day to have a glimpse into your world and to be inspired and encouraged. For me, you are a blessing from God and I am just so thankful to be able to learn from your wisdom.Gayenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5916069972147977082012-05-31T14:16:24.538+10:002012-05-31T14:16:24.538+10:00I found Baby bathes are a waste of time and space....I found Baby bathes are a waste of time and space. <br />We showed together or laid them in a shallow bath on a towel.<br />I purchased very few clothes and things worked out fine.<br />Our daughter is 20mths now, and developed fast (crawled at 4 mths, walked at 10) so I just purchased items at times where I needed assistance with entertainment.<br />Babies need very little, the rest is about us and convenience. ;)Clarissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12950018133548370053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38677077238984056202012-05-31T14:14:59.246+10:002012-05-31T14:14:59.246+10:00I can totally relate to the pressure put on first ...I can totally relate to the pressure put on first time mummies in regards to buying things. When I was pregnant with my first baby everyone had something to say about the things we just "HAD" to have. I decided to get a few basics like bassinet and so on, but then we just waited until we actually had the baby and could get a sense of what would be useful and what was completely unnecessary (eg. most things that were suggested!!!) It's easy to think you need everything, but I found it much easier to get my head around things once I had that little bub in my arms. In saying that, I'm so glad that for my second baby coming up we already have a hug-a-bub sling, as I took a few months with the little one doing my research last time and this would have been the perfect sling for the early days. We've also got an ergo but I've found that that is really suitable for 6 months + rather than the early days, even though I bought a newborn insert, I didn't find it comfortable. There are lots of eco-baby stores in Melbourne to choose from, but I usually shop online at places like Amanda's little-eco or I think another one I have bought some things from is called shop naturally households or something along those lines, comes up in google. It seems so many people have put in a lot of advice, so hopefully this isn't all too overwhelming! Best of luck to your friend, and my advice is to take all the advice with a smile and a 'thanks' and then just follow your heart. Lucy xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70814969588622409172012-05-31T14:11:46.862+10:002012-05-31T14:11:46.862+10:00A baby bath is the item I regret. They aren't ...A baby bath is the item I regret. They aren't all that costly, but we just never used it. We showered with our babies or they laid in a shallow bath on a face washer.<br />I also purchased enough clothes to complete a general baby bag packing list from the hospital -the rest was gifted to us.<br />For all other items, I waited to see what my child needed:<br />Bouncer to keep the colic at bay etc. <br />Babies defiantly don't need much, it's us as parents trying to make life easier. So you just priorities what you can or can't put up with any longer :)Clarissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12950018133548370053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31049387255302178132012-05-31T12:00:13.319+10:002012-05-31T12:00:13.319+10:00My children are 6 and 4. There is 22 months betwee...My children are 6 and 4. There is 22 months between them but my goodness what exact opposites they were as babies. The main item we invested in was a decent pram. Worked to our advantage as my daughter loved being in the pram and I love walking so off we went. We were able to get a toddler seat for this pram when my son was born. I had many friends who had to buy a second pram once the next baby came along. We saved heaps by being able to get the toddler seat. My hubby is quite handy so he built our cot. Perfectly safe and saved us a fortune. We have kept it. I did not have a change table, I am quite tall and found the change tables too short for me. For me I found a padded mat did the job. We had a bath seat for the bath: just put it in the bath and baby is supported. Also good for when they are able to sit up, just a bit more support. My grandmother crocheted lots of cardigans. I only had a couple of good outfits then some suits. My mum made some blankets for both of them which they still use. The only gadget we really invested in was a baby monitor. We found that really handy. I had a sling for my daughter so I could carry her around but she really didn't like it but my son loved it. It came in handy with him and I could get so much done. That's just my two cents worth, every one is different, every one parents differently and what works for one child may not work for the other. You just have to go with the flow and see what works for you as parents and as a family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45013078404709641992012-05-31T06:54:40.307+10:002012-05-31T06:54:40.307+10:00It has been 20 years since my last baby was born ,...It has been 20 years since my last baby was born ,i am not up to date with the modern way of things, for a tiny baby i had nappies best you can buy to last, i brought a pram that was large enough to have a baby lie down in and top came away from the bottom to put beside your bed for night time feeds, i did have a bath and top and tail bowl, a box that could store bits in for changes, bath etc.Clothes they grow so fast, bodysuits, home made cardis/jumpers, hat and mittens,depending on the weather coat, very little is needed and you can add as they grow.<br />Congrats on coming in the top ten just hoping they will sell it in the uk.<br />SueThe warm fireplacenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37630989143266100172012-05-30T22:36:05.030+10:002012-05-30T22:36:05.030+10:00Hi Rhonda, this post is one you can imagine I can ...Hi Rhonda, this post is one you can imagine I can put a lot of input into! I won't warble on as what I would suggest has already been mentioned here.<br /><br />In summary I would say steer clear of 'gadgets', make what you can, buy handmade and second hand, use cloth disposables, reduce use of anything disposable, share your values with friends and family and when you buy new make sure it is good quality. Jo has a great amount of feedback to sift through.<br /><br />I have also just written a post up for tomorrow on the Simple, Frugal, Green Co-op blog. My post is based on weighing up the options and expense when it comes to choosing organic products for your child and this covers some of the questions asked here.<br /><br />Congrats on your achievement with your book...I see it everywhere and I am so proud!amanda@Live Life Simplyhttp://www.livelifesimply.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66684726410933734822012-05-30T22:17:09.872+10:002012-05-30T22:17:09.872+10:00Hi,
Our little one arrived early and we had very...Hi,<br /><br />Our little one arrived early and we had very little organized. We brought sensibly and had an organic bassinet which was much larger than the average bassinet and he was in that for about 9 months and then hopped into my bed. <br />We brought a Mountain buggy as well. It has been very well used and has plently of mileage left. We did not have a car for a long period and the pram went everywhere. I have an ergo as well and would also recommend. <br />We use Baby Beehinds Multifits and found they work quite well overnight until about 20 months. I use chux with Wendyl Nissen baby spray instead of wipes and the chux last for ages. <br />The best thing I have found for any skin complaint and especially nappy regions is putting some oats and chamomile flowers in some muslin and soaking and squeezing into the bath as it been filling up. It's a bit murky but works a treat all the time.Grumbleweed Studioshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15365276902667626052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61480832483919041642012-05-30T20:26:09.245+10:002012-05-30T20:26:09.245+10:00I'd say skip the changing table/mat altogether...I'd say skip the changing table/mat altogether! They need cleaning and somewhere to be put and they are never in the right place when the baby needs changing and you have dinner on the stove or your favourite programme is on the television! Just use a bath towel on the floor (nowhere to roll and fall!), folded double in case they widdle when their nappy is off! We kept one in a basket with a clean baby-gro, nappies, vaseline, cotton wool and baby lotion - which is all we ever used on the babies' bottoms. It works wonders keeping away the nappy rash even when they are teething and the poo goes nuclear! We kept a 'changing basket' in the bedroom and one the living room. And the same ingredients went into the baby-bag (an old washable rucksack) which lived by the front door so I could always grab and run! I was lucky enough to have lots of family and friends having babies around the same time so we kept a group layette going which was presented to the expectant mother and passed on when grown out of. Then we had a 1-2 years old set, 3 -4 and so on. By the time I'd had my third baby some of those outfits and equipment were really good old friends!eclairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39236712144276825882012-05-30T19:37:16.236+10:002012-05-30T19:37:16.236+10:00I have two children and what one used the other di...I have two children and what one used the other did not. I believe that what you consider essential will ultimately depend on the needs and ultimately personality/likes of your baby. My first child had very bad colic so bouncers and chairs that sat my baby up were invaluable. Likewise these were a total waste for my second child. This is why borrowing items (even to just try them out) are totally the best option.<br />I also wish that I had found out about the carriers/slings (mentioned in other comments) earlier. The babies I have seen in these looked so comfortable and supported and this was just using a piece stretch fabric. I could have saved myself hundreds. Wish I found these values earlier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81330843369985979722012-05-30T18:32:56.812+10:002012-05-30T18:32:56.812+10:00Oh yeah and a place to put the toys at the end of ...Oh yeah and a place to put the toys at the end of the day or at times throughout the day so you don't trip over them!<br />ElizaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21065513306143072982012-05-30T17:58:16.816+10:002012-05-30T17:58:16.816+10:00Hello,
I've been thinking about this all day....Hello,<br /><br />I've been thinking about this all day. My first was a wonderful surprise so we had no money in the budget for my time off or fancy baby things. We made do with a lot of things which has already been said above.<br /><br />What I will add, though, is some thoughts around what Rhonda talks about - namely making sure you organise your home for the way you will "work". This wasn't an issue with my first, but now we have a two storey house and a two month old baby, I have noticed that I need to organise things differently. Ie. I don't have a change table, but I want to make sure that all the things I will need are close at hand (to each other and to where I am changing). You certainly don't want to have to wander off to find the wipes if you need them. <br /><br />I would also say that although a change table isn't a necessity, it is important to have a changing facility that won't hurt your back. For the first few weeks with my two month old, I changed him on his play mat but my back was killing. I have since moved back to using the top of the chest of drawers. (I read somewhere that if motherhood was listed as an occupation correctly, it would have the highest incidence of workplace incidents.)<br /><br />You will also need, what I call a "baby break out area" with a rug or playmat or whatever. <br /><br />All the best!<br />ElizaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42914548936099448422012-05-30T16:38:14.166+10:002012-05-30T16:38:14.166+10:00Hi Rhonda, I really enjoy your blog & have bee...Hi Rhonda, I really enjoy your blog & have been using lots of your tips around our home. I am a Mum of two & my best tips are to use pure cornflour instead of baby powder. It is cheaper, easier & much better than baby powder, especially for nappy rash. Also when the time comes, making your own baby food is much cheaper & easier. I use to make up big batches & freeze them into portions. Best of luck to Jo for the new arrival & congrats on your book.<br />AmieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-992382164860443702012-05-30T15:51:56.566+10:002012-05-30T15:51:56.566+10:00Anon, I hear the same thing. Some people don't...Anon, I hear the same thing. Some people don't seem to realise that this is a conscious choice. We have money in the bank, we choose not to spend it. Anyhow, thank you for defending me. Hugs xxxrhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83575574674820541662012-05-30T15:33:57.731+10:002012-05-30T15:33:57.731+10:00Rhonda, congratulations on your best seller list -...Rhonda, congratulations on your best seller list - yep I've been over to Fishpond and left a deserved great review. You wont believe this but when I called my BFF that I've been preaching to about the content of your blog, to gloat (because I am proud of your achievement), her first response was to chuckle and say - She wont need to be so frugal now will she. I was gobsmacked. I guess she hasnt really taken the time to read your blog as she would have a different mindset and know that it has nothing to do with how much money you have in the bank - its a lifestyle choice. My defence was (why did I feel I needed to) was to say that I was sure that any additional funds would be used wisely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12034960396467822382012-05-30T14:51:28.016+10:002012-05-30T14:51:28.016+10:00Hi Rhonda,Congrat's on the best-seller list.I ...Hi Rhonda,Congrat's on the best-seller list.I happily went and left a review on fishpond and it woulndn't accept it. <br />Advice for your friend:For the older baby or pram blankets-a couple of granny square blankets out of machine/washable 8ply wool, or 8ply cotton with a small edge.They aren't heavy and the large granny holes mean a baby has less chance of suffocating. The blankets can be made from left overs and the more colourful the better. Jude Sunflowers and TulipsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74269906703288886872012-05-30T14:45:38.993+10:002012-05-30T14:45:38.993+10:00Haha those questions will make your comment box ex...Haha those questions will make your comment box explode, Rhonda! Everyone likes to talk about babies: <br />Baby clothes: beg, borrow, ask around, and dont stress if you dont have "everything" when baby is due. I had the bare minimum with my second bub and it was very liberating! <br /><br />Check out if your area has a baby thing for sale facebook page, try gumtree etc. for your bigger items like pram, car seat and cot.<br /> <br />Breastpump: I have one but I learned to hand express and it actually quicker, learn those skills now by checking them out online. <br /><br />Nappies: <br />Check out EC or infant potty training to reduce your use of nappies - for modern cloth I love Itti bittis <br /><br /> I think if you have a place to sleep for bub and car seat to take them home in you are prepared! And once bub is there you have something cute to look at anyway you dont get temptedSonjanoreply@blogger.com