A Crunchy Baby Registry – Feeding: things you NEED (or should make) before baby comes. An alternative baby supply list for frugal moms, hippies, poor people, and mothers of oopsies.
Bottles
Hopefully you are breastfeeding and you just need a few bottles just in case something happens (Murphy’s Law again). Choose glass or bpa free. I still sterilize (boil) bottles when I get them, but after that I just use hot soapy water. I worked in a factory and I know I want to boil them.
Extra tip: Don’t use used nipples, just buy new ones.
Formula
You need formula even if you are going to breastfeed exclusively. Something could happen (‘ware Murphy’s Law!) and the child could need feeding when you aren’t available. While pumping or expressing is a great plan in theory, this is an important backup. One of those little cans of generic powdered formula is $10-15. However I signed up for the newsletters from the major formula companies and I got some really good coupons from them that took a third off that. Now that I told you to buy formula, you need to breastfeed. Formula is the most expensive baby item, costing even more than disposable diapers. A newborn will eat about 20 ounces of formula a day (it varies a lot based on weight, and her appetite will change daily). It takes one ounce of powder to make two ounces of formula. If powder is $0.58/ounce then formula is $0.29/ounce. That’s $5.80/day, $174/month, or $1,537/year! On top of that breastfed babies poop less, don’t get sick as much, aren’t admitted to the hospital as much, get fewer ear infections (of my four kids we’ve only had one ear infection), don’t get diaper rash as much, have fewer allergies, are less fussy and spit up less, have a lower risk of asthma, and obesity, and goodness knows what else they haven’t even figured out yet. Never mind the benefits to mom. And it’s free (except for the fact that you actually have to feed mom about a million calories a day).
Extra Tip: It is not recommended that you buy used breast pumps.
Nipple cream
#1 solution: Nakey Boobies
Try this goo: coconut oil
Just because breastfeeding is natural does not mean it comes easily. I had trouble with the latch of kid #3, for goodness sake. You don’t need to handicap yourself with boo boos on your boobies. Soreness, cracking and bleeding all hurt and make breastfeeding painful, but nipple creams or coconut oil and fresh air can help prevent them. Start conditioning your nipples during your third trimester: slather on whatever goo you prefer. I know this seems weird before you have the kid, but you’ll thank yourself later. After feeding baby leave your tatas hanging in the breeze (when at home, not in public) for a couple minutes to dry out. If any wandering hubbys get ideas just squirt them, that should discourage the less determined ones. Then apply your goo. It is important to air your boobies out. Don’t keep them smothered all the time. They need air.
(http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/08/homemade-natural-postpartum-care-kit.html or http://leastlikely2breed.net/recipes/nursing-or-breastfeeding-balm-ttnr)
Nursing pads
You may get disposable nursing pads at your baby shower. You can easily make reusable nursing pads. You want both kinds. When your milk comes in and you are squirting everywhere you need disposables, you have to change them so often it’s not practical to just have reusables. I layered both until I stopped soaking my shirts. Once your milk supply is established you can switch to just reusables. You can get both kinds at big box stores, or even eBay.
(http://walkingwithdancers.blogspot.com/2011/05/homemade-contoured-nursing-pads.html or http://leakyboob.blogspot.com/2010/04/got-leaky-boobs-diy-breast-pads.html)
Nursing pillow
This isn’t just for comfort, this is very helpful for keeping baby on your lap without wearing out the muscles in your arms. Dad can use this to comfortably hold the baby while he’s watching tv or on the computer. I have gotten Boppy pillows at yard sales and have never had a problem with a fit on my big mama belly. I have read that some other brands are size sensitive.
*Update: Walmart (and who knows who else) now has a $20 nursing pillow that has a strap for sticking little legs through. This is genius.*
(https://sites.google.com/site/sewityourself/ or http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/pillow.html)
Nursing pillow cover
You want two of these so you can keep one on the pillow while you wash the other one. Keep in mind this will be in a lot of the pictures you take.
(http://www.vanillajoy.com/how-to-boppy-cover.html)
Pacifier
I would not buy used pacifiers. The pacifiers from the dollar store were gagging my almost 7 pound baby, you need a couple newborn size ones. Preferably with their own little cover. The hospital should give you one pacifier. You are not supposed to rely on a binky until around 4 weeks, whenever the baby’s latch is established for breastfeeding. They have found that using a pacifier reduces the risk of SIDS, so it is now ok to use one until age one. After that the risk is greatly reduced and it will just get harder to break the habit. My kids rarely used pacifiers, these should be a last defense for soothing. Note sucking is last on the 5 S’s of soothing list. Don’t just stuff that in there whenever the kid squeaks.
More With Less Mom’s Baby Pinterest Board
In this series: A Crunchy Baby Registry ~ Bathing ~ Bedding ~ Clothing ~ Diapering ~ Feeding ~ Nursery ~ Play ~ Safety ~ Travel ~ Other Stuff
Do you have a nursing plan (breast or bottle), or are you going to play it by ear?
We hope you enjoyed our crunchy baby registry. A baby supply list for frugal moms, hippies, poor people, and mothers of oopsies.
* Also see our Baby Songs Cheat Sheet Printables – Lyrics for Play Songs & Lullabies
Photo credits: Baby chewing on bassinette Melissa French (Me!) © creative commons license
Baby with bottle: Mommy of 4 Ruggies
Dog in Boppy: Lynda Giddens
Pacifier: clappstar
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