Admit it, because we love our children so much, we are (oh so) willing to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to buy the best baby gears, baby items and formula milk in the market. Apparently, the “best” ones are the most expensive ones, too. From carriers to strollers to cots and cribs to what-have-you, we buy. All for the sake of our dearest kids! Yet, we fret not, because that’s how unconditional our love for them is. We want to give them the best! But studies show that there is a growing number of mums who become more aware of their family’s finances and choose to be more practical than to spend (lavish) on these things, and create gazillion of ways tweaking the modern parenthood system. Surprisingly, their new-found solution: Going back to the basics!
Here are awesome ways to give your child the best while not hurting your wallet.
1. Breastfeeding
It is the holy truth: Breastfeeding is still best for babies. Instead of browsing through the pages of parenthood forum (of course, like MummySG!) to scout around for the best formula milk, maybe, you can opt to breastfeeding your baby. There are many benefits for both mother and child when a woman chooses to breastfeed. Human milk is custom-made for babies, with all the right nutrients and in the right amounts. There is no guesswork involved. But take note, Mummies, breastfeeding will only work if there is a strong commitment to do so. Breastfeeding doesn’t only save you, Mums, from buying formula milk but it also saves you from buying feeding bottles and sterilizers. Most of all, it lowers the possibility of spending on medicines for diarrhea, constipation and other diseases, because studies show that breastfed babies have less gas, constipation and diarrhea.
Breast milk doesn’t cost a cent, while the cost of formula quickly adds up. And because of the immunities and antibodies passed onto them through their mothers’ breast milk, breastfed infants are sick less often.
How is this helping you? Mum, IT IS FOR FREE! But take note, breastfeeding will only be successful if you are committed to it. Now if you need help, you may contact the Breastfeeding Helpline at 63393558.
2. Babywearing
Babywearing has been around from time immemorial. The American Indians, the Mayans, and most of our great ancestors are known to babywear, until the period where strollers and hi-tech baby gears came into the picture. Now, there is a loud brouhaha about the come-back of babywearing. But the raging war is also found among various baby carriers, as the lists and benefits of each go on and on and on. Mumtrepreneurs always find ways to create new methods to babywear, and the material they use look cuter and more modern. Right now, there are slings, SSC, the wrap-arounds, the pouches, etc! Babywearing is absolutely the new trend as it gives a lot of benefits which make you realize that there might be no longer need for big and top of the line strollers. Afterall, you can bring your baby anywhere you go by simply babywearing!
Now, if you like to not spend a single penny for any carriers try to watch these videos from Babywearing Channel in Youtube to make your own. Cool, isn’t it?
3. Cloth-Diapering
Other than loving Mother Earth, choosing to go cloth (and green) saves you a lot of bucks! And by a lot, I really mean A LOT! To many, cloth-diapering seems to be a tedious task because of the whole washing-hanging-stripping thing that’s going on. So yeah, it really looks intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll know why it is getting more and more popular worldwide. Instead of buying your weekly supply of disposable nappies, by completing an ideal 30-diaper stash, you are good to go, as that is enough to sustain the need of your baby who has a habit of spoiling his/her nappy. Now, if you are buying the top quality ones with proper handling, it can last you for years and years- you can even pass it on to others, let’s say, your next baby. So that is not only saving bucks, that’s also a downright investment!
This too, by the way, involves deliberate planning. “Once you go cloth, you cannot go back,” most cloth-diapering mums would say. So, if you are curious as to what it is, try to visit this link and maybe, you can go cloth, too!
4. Co-sleeping
So you are considering to breastfeed, to babywear and to use cloth diapers… but there is another traditional parenthood method that experts are now (re)promoting: Co-sleeping. So, how does it save you money? Well, there is no need to buy cribs! How much are cribs these days? Co-sleeping promotes breastfeeding and bonding, and it is safer than crib/cot sleeping when practiced correctly. For more info, try to check this out and see for yourself how a simple and “old” parenthood method gives your baby the best.
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The above practices accentuate one ground: Raising kids without burning a hole in your pocket. Instead of buying knock-offs OR second-hand baby items (where history of the item is often neglected but is definitely significant for purchase), you can go back to the basics while not compromising quality parenthood and giving the best for your baby. Yeah, that’s having the best of both worlds!
“MummySG, where every Mum is awesome.”
I am not sure if breast feeding is free. I seem to eat more now that i am bfing than when I was pregnant. But still the costs wouldn’t amount to the costs of formula. And best part I can eat to my hearts content everything and nearly everything I want.