300+ smart and savvy baby tips
Make friends with other parents & save!
A mum ahead
Find a mum or friend with a baby a size bigger than yours for hand-me-downs.
A mum behind
Find a mum or friend with a baby smaller than yours to hand-down to.
A sandwich is simple
When eating out order a simple sandwich at a sandwich shop or bakery.
Accept hand-downs
Do not be too proud to accept second hand clothes.
Aldi for gear
Look out for baby gear at Aldi. They have great basics, like singlets.
Apple for baby
Aldi sell great pureed apple for baby.
Ask a handy friend
Spend a day or afternoon baby proofng your home. Enlist a tradie friend.
Ask baby questions
Ask questions they can answer you with body language, their eyes and grunts.
Sometimes less is more
Assess your needs
Create a safe place to change baby. You can do without a change table.
Avoid shampoo
You do not have to shampoo baby hair much.
Babies love to pick
For older babies give pieces of potato and soft carrot on a plate.
Babies R Us
Babies R Us often give away free samples and coupons if you sign up.
Baby food
Mince up what you are having for dinner. Save time and money.
Baby markets
Picked up my last jogger (great brand) at a baby fair for $40. Big score.
Baby puzzles
Get your toddler started with a large-piece jigsaw puzzle.
Baby talk
Talk to babies as you would talk to adults.
Baby wipes
Consider keeping wipes just for going out. Use $annels at home.
Modify a backpack for baby gear
Backpack for baby
A picnic backpack is perfect for baby gear. It has a lot of different compartments.
Bakery food is easy
Bakeries generally have good choices for bubs to nibble on.
Bath time tip
Bath baby during the day.
Be careful in the car
Never let baby nibble on food in his or her car seat while driving.
Be patient feeding
If baby loves to feed themselves be patient.
Be the best mum
Enjoy precious days together. Be con#dent in your actions. Trust your instincts.
Be coupon happy
Keep scissors handy and start cutting out coupons for baby stu%.
Be a nappy guru
Know your stuff, like the unit price of a nappy. Save money.
Become a word nut
Use every opportunity to teach words to your child. E.g. Point at cars.
Bed Routine
Open curtains and welcome day in. Close curtains and say goodbye to the day.
Get ahead of your dinners
Big cook-ups
Definitely have big cook-ups and stashes of freezer food for baby.
Blowing bubbles
Try blowing bubbles so baby might be distracted and walk accidentally.
Boiled water
Use a thermos for boiled water throughout the day and night.
Bowls and cups
Second hand shops have plastic picnic ware. Great for kids bowls and cups.
Boxedup.com
At Boxed Up you can create a wish list and then share the list with friends.
Boxes are fun
Keep small and large boxes. Baby loves to open and close the lids for play.
Breast pads trick
Soft flannels do the trick for free breast pads at home.
Breastfeed
Breastfeed for longer. It is cheaper.
Budgeting app
There are heaps of great baby budget apps out there for free.
Bulk buy nappies
Network on this site and discuss the cheapest and best places to buy nappies.
Bulk discounts
Start a group with other parents and then contact manufacturers.
Buy a cheap pram
Buy in the U.S using bongo.us for a US shipping address if it is cheaper.
Buy bigger sizes
Get into the habit of buying the bigger size.
Buy gear at fairs
School fairs are full of mums selling their stu% for practically nothing.
Pick plain colours
Buy generic gear
Try not to get sucked into buying branded items.
Buy large sizes
Buy large sizes of normal clothes rather than maternity branded items.
Buy on eBay
Try eBay for baby clothes going cheap. Know the market price before purchasing.
Buy white clothes
Buy plain white clothes and dye them the colours you desire.
Cakes are fun
Make your own cake.
Car emergency box
Organise an emergency baby box in the boot of your car.
Centrelink tip
Fill out welfare forms before you have your baby.
Chairs as gates Modular couches that can detach into pieces make for great baby gates and pens.
Change of attitude
Start a thrifty new attitude toward your baby.
Changing nappies
Do not change a clean nappy.
Cheap wraps
Consider buying sarongs instead of wraps. !ey are longer.
Cheap art
You can buy cheap wall stickers for the nursery at the Reject Shop.
Cheap baby gate
A wooden baby pen can be placed at a door as a baby gate.
Cheap baby pen
Use modular couch pieces to create a pen for baby to play in.
Cheap safety gates
I bought two safety gates for the price of one at Target toy sale.
Get clip happy!
Clips for prams
Shower curtain rings make great clips for prams.
Cloth nappies
Get online or use our classifeds to buy cloth nappies second-hand.
You can use cloth nappies as bibs, towels, wipes and as a cover on a change table.
Consignment shops
Sell your baby gear at consignment shops. Get it out of the house.
Cook with baby
Get baby involved with cooking. Give an older baby a bowl and some pasta.
Cool Savings website
There are stacks of free coupons sites like www.coolsavings.com
Costco for nappies
Costco have a huge range of nappies on sale.
Cosy ugg boots
Invest in a great pair of black Ugg boots early on that you can wear out in winter.
Couch safety
Show a curious crawling baby how to safely get o# the couch.
Cous cous
Cous cous is a cheap and quick-to-make option as a base for toddler food.
Crawling babies
Designate half a day on a weekend to baby proof your home.
Creams and lotions
Visit www.ozepharmacy.com.au for cheaper lotions.
Cups as bowls
Cups or mugs make perfect little feeding dishes for baby.
Cure for nappy rash
Put baking soda in a bath to help nappy rash.
Cut costs
Make an assertive decision to cut costs. !e right attitude is half the battle.
Cute bedroom
Pick a cute bedroom out of a magazine and then copy it using second hand items.
Cute canvas Wrap cute material or even an old stretchy dress around a large frame.
Daytime nappies
Use cheap nappies in the day and better quality ones at night.
Cheap room makeover
Digital prints
Get an entire wall applied with a digital print.
Dinner sanity
Make evenings pleasant by organising dinner during the day. Use a crock pot.
Discount nappies
Try www.aussienappies.com.au for cheap nappies.
Do not buy new
As a rule of thumb buy mainly second-hand clothes.
Drawer dividers
Cut the bottoms of cereal and food boxes for drawer dividers.
Dresses for girls
Girls dresses are easy and pretty to make.
Eating out
A plate of soft veggies at Asian eateries at food halls offer great nutritious value.
Emergency baby seat
Use a wooden or cardboard box to sit baby in.
Encourage music
Play it at home, in the car and out in the garden. Babies love music.
Explain toys
Explain a toy to baby when you give it.
Express your needs
Tell people what you need and watch it appear.
Extra rug on carpet
Protect your carpet by bringing a second hand rug into your living room.
Extra washing line
Repurpose a wooden baby pen on its end to hang out washing.
Fabric nappies
Buy one nappy first and test it out for the week.
Factor in quality
When comparison shopping always factor in quality.
Feeding baby solids
Feed solids to baby when you think your baby is ready for solids.
Feeding cushion
Grab a video on YouTube and make your own feeding cushion.
Feeding help
Help your toddler by helping them to put the food on the fork or spoon.
Feeding quantities
Put just the right amount of food on the plate.
Flannels
Cut up old towels and t-shirts for cheap extra flannels.
Flight backpack
Modify a picnic backpack to help sort baby bottles, nappies and gear.
Foot care
Check out our beauty pages for tips on how to look after your feet during pregnancy.
Formula
Do not underestimate the power of Kmart, BigW and Target for formula.
Formula if traveling
Take warm water out in the bottle and add the formula when you need to feed.
Frame paper
Frame scrap booking paper for nursery art.
Free or cheap prams
Network in the Savings Room. Get a pram for free, advertise in wanted or search classifieds.
Free bib
Tea towels make for a great and free emergency bib.
Free fitness
Babies make great weight training. Be careful. Not too high now.
Free maternity wear
Ask sisters, friends and family for maternity gear.
Who doesn’t love a free sample?
Free samples
Definitely use up all the little samples they give you in your hospital bag.
Free toys
Join a toy library at your earliest convenience.
Freezing breast milk
Zip lock bags work fine for freezing breast milk.
Fritter tricks
Hide veggies in fritters for babies who only want to feed themselves.
Fruit shop quick stop
For quick healthy food on the run stop at a fruit shop and grab strawberries.
Generic formula
Chemists stock their own generic brand formula and can o”er advice.
Generic nappies
Go for good quality generic brands. #ey do the same job.
Get items for free
Check out www.freecycle.com for FREE items in your area and talk to others in the Savings Room by making comments!
Get repetitive
Repeat the same words over and over, all the time.
Glory box
Grab an old chest and start putting these items in it.
Make it yourself and save big
Go homemade
Always ask can I make that out of something? A baby wrap using an old sarong.
Go muffins
Muffins are a great choice while eating out at a Café.
Go retro
There are many cute retro out!ts in second hand stores.
Go Sorbolene
Is a good cheap nappy rash and general lotion for baby.
Go to garage sales
You can pick up big boxes of baby clothes at garage sales for really cheap prices.
Go to market
Baby markets are full of mothers selling all their baby gear in one stall.
Go Weetbix
Weetbix is the easiest brekkie I have found for feeding Coco.
Go wholesale
For all products always investigate if you can buy direct from the supplier.
Go with instincts
Try not to be too much of a textbook mum.
Grab nappy coupons
Ask baby-free friends to look out for nappy coupons for you.
Hand pumps
Suss out the old fashioned hand pumps. These can be more effective and comfortable for new mums starting out breastfeeding.
Hand-me-downs
When given clothes create labelled boxes for sizes ahead.
Handbag helper
Buy a handbag insert. You can lift it out and put it in whatever bag you are using.
Hearing skills
Teach baby hearing skills. Make a noise and look surprised.
Help baby eat meat
Grate meat and put it in mash for an easy to digest dinner for an older baby.
Help with walking
Try holding a ring or hula hoop in front of a baby trying to walk.
Hide fruit in muffins
Buy the large cans of fruit, puree up and then hide the fruit in muffins.
Hide veg in fritters
Buy cans of soft veggies, puree up the veggies. Hide veggies in fritters or rissoles for older babies.
Hire a capsule
There are plenty of places to hire capsules. Otherwise buy a capsule second hand.
How to buy nappies
Buy the smallest nappy that !ts in the biggest box.
Huggies samples
Sign up to Huggies online for samples and coupons.
Independence
Let baby try to feed his or herself. Even if they make a huge mess. Encourage baby to play alone. Be sure to leave baby in a safe place. Keep an eye on baby at all times.
Instant maternity top
Wear a boob-tube or belly band under a normal v-neck top.
Instant party tip Invite one family who have lots of kids for an instant party.
Joey brand nappies
I often pick up the Joey brand of nappies at my local baby store.
Keep a book
Keep a book for baby info and routines for your working partner or baby-sitter.
Keep cards handy
Keep cash cards nearby and show them to baby whenever you have a minute.
Keep gear nice
Wipe down your highchair a%er every meal thoroughly. Keep it nice for resale.
Keep it simple
On baby’s !rst birthday a cake and present will do.
Keep your lid on
Buy Tupperware with lids that stay attached.
Know unit prices
Know the unit price for each nappy.
Label baby stuff
Label drawers or clothes containers so baby-sitters and partners can find stuff.
Laundry helper
Involve baby in folding the washing. Baby will make a mess but they love it.
Learning colours
Teach baby colours from an early age. Use the same object in different colours.
Learning to talk
Exaggerate words for maximum learning effect.
Learning toys
Give babies lots of stimulation in the form of learning toys.
Learning posters
Stick some ABC posters up on the wall and say letters frequently to baby.
Leftover formula
Feed le!over formula to plants or pets. Try not to waste it.
Leftovers for baby
After eating dinner every night mince up the le!overs such as a pasta you made.
Use up leftovers
Leftovers tip
Freeze bulk baby food using le!overs from family meals.
Less pink for girls
If you have the time buy plain colours and dye outfits green or yellow or red.
Little flatmates
We have always referred to our kids as our little flatmates. Treat them as friends.
Locks for cupboards
Use old hair ties or stockings to secure cupboard doors together. Secure tightly.
Longer baby wraps
Sew two cotton wrap together for a longer wrap.
Make a dress
Cut four pieces to make a dress shape. Sew pieces together. Turn out. Done.
Make baby shampoo
Make baby shampoo using everyday products from home. Watch YouTube.
Make baby wraps
Watch YouTube on creating your own baby wraps.
Make belly bands
Make your own belly bands by buying tubing material.
Make books fun
Make books the most exciting experience on Earth.
Make flash cards
Making your own flash cards is fun.
Make half bottles
Make up half a bottle and feed it to baby. If baby wants more you can make more.
Make lotion
Make your own baby lotions. Watch YouTube for ideas.
Make room
Lend out large items and toys to friends or family members to create extra room.
Make sheets
Make cot sheets out of large sheet sets.
Make your own food
Make your own baby food when possible using fresh veggies and fruit.
Make your own wipes
You can make wipes out of paper towels, water and olive oil.
Massage for baby
Use olive oil for a gentle massage before a bath.
Match socks
Invest in a mesh laundry bag for little items like socks.
Meet mums
Make friends with new mums who might give stu$ away. Use our site to network!
Memorabilia box
Keep a little box up in the cupboard in for those cute newborn keepsakes.
Mexican food
Food hall stalls will make up beans, mince, avocado and sour cream for baby.
Mind your manners
Make sure adults are also saying thank you (ta) and please if teaching baby.
Mirror play
Sit baby in front of a mirror with some toys.
Mirroring actions
Point to your own nose and teach baby nose, eyes, mouth, ears and lips.
Moving furniture
Don’t be afraid to do it. It can save big money on big ticket items.
Nappies at Big W
Big W often have great specials on nappies.
Nappy bags
Do not buy nappy bags for disposing of nappies. Use supermarket discards.
Nappy bucket
Buy a cheaper one from a hardware store or a discount shop. Apply cute stickers.
Nappy coupons
Newspapers o!en have nappy coupons.
You could also try www.couponsnapshot.com for coupons.
Nappy rash remedy
Apply baking soda to help with nappy rash.
Nappy sizes
Be sure to buy the right size so you do not end up with a box you do not use.
Nappy stocks
Buy nappies ahead of time and in bulk to avoid random supermarket visits.
Navigating stairs
Show babies, early on, how to get down stairs. Put safety gates in front of stairs.
New baby budget
Keep a spreadsheet or up with your budget in it.
New food tip
Eat new food in front of baby and make it look exciting.
Night time nappies
Larger fitting nappies are quite good for night-time as they hold more.
Olive oil for bath
Use olive oil for cleaning baby before a bath.
Outdoor time
Babies love it outside. In the summer grab an old rug. Place it under a playpen.
Pampers online
Sign up to Pampers Online for samples and coupons.
Pea Pod brand
Pea Pods are great. Just make sure you do a test and get the right size.
Peek-a-boo
Babies love the game Peek-a-Boo.
People are generous
Buy plain gear rather than colours. People will gi! you pretty or bright clothes.
Picky babies
Don’t force feed a baby. Understand they will be picky.
Picnic backpack
Modify a picnic backpack to suit your purposes. No more rummaging.
Plain gear at K-Mart
Kmart has a superb range of plain gear for babies. Singlets etc.
Plastic bins
You can pick up cheap plastic bins at O!ceworks for around $7.00.
Playgroup
Join a local playgroup. This is free entertainment and a chance to socialise.
Playing with toys
Have regular play dates with other mums and encourage baby to share toys.
Practising talking
Repeat back to a baby what they just said. !en they know you have heard them.
DIY preggy gear
Preggie jeans
Make some wide belly bands from tubing and make your own preggie jeans.
Preggie pants
A pair of black stretch track pants are a must for the pregnant woman.
Purchasing a pram
Buy second hand unless your parents are forking out the cash.
Puree your own fruit
Buy the larger tins of fruit and puree yourself using an electric hand blender.
Pushing frames
Invest in a pushing frame for a crawling baby.
Quick toddler snack
A quick snack for a growing toddler is penne pasta topped with melted cheese.
Quirky décor trick
Pick up quirky and interesting pieces from second hand shops.
Read to baby
Read to babies from birth if you can.
Relax and enjoy
Try not to get caught up in rigid routines. Rather, try to have loose routines.
Repackage baby food
Keep shop bought baby food jars to repackage your own homemade baby food.
Repurpose a rack
Turn a fabric hanging shoe rack on its edge. Perfect dividers for deep drawers!
Repurpose it
Always ask – can I make that myself or repurpose something.
Repurposed pillow
Repurpose your full body pillow from pregnancy for a feeding pillow.
Repurposed basket
A low plastic laundry basket makes a good temporary seat for a sitting baby.
Research formula
Early on find the cheapest and place to buy the type of formula you need.
Research well
Research prams really well before forking out any money.
Reusable baby wipes
Chux wipes make great reusable wipes.
Room makeover
Buy fabric and string it up in panels across whole walls for an instant makeover.
Rubbish bin liners
Line a normal rubbish bin with a garbage bag. No need for nappy systems.
Safety is paramount
Safe standing
Encourage baby to stand up against so# furniture.
Safe walking
Always stand within arms reach when encouraging your baby to walk.
Safe walking and play
Hold a toy a distance from baby where they will be encourage to walk to get it.
Safety with nappies
Be careful of super cheap nappies. Check for straying pieces that fall off.
Saline solution
Buy a large bulk bottle of saline solution rather than smaller bottles.
Save baby choking
Crawl around the %oor following baby. You will “nd any small chokables.
Save on baby food
Give baby what the family eats.
Save on bibs
Invest in one good quality plastic bib.
Save on brand items
Brand items yourself using little stickers from discount stores.
Save on breast pads
Keep disposable breast pads for going out and use homemade ones at home.
Save on nappies
Give baby heaps of nudie time in summer and save on nappies.
Use cloth nappies at home and then use disposables while out.
Savers for gear
Savers have a large range of second-hand maternity gear. All colour coded!
Saving for the future
A great first birthday present for baby is a savings account.
Saying thank you
Take food when baby offers it to you. Teach them to say thank you (ta).
School yard mums
School yard mums will give you free baby gear. See what you get before buying.
Score nappies
Score nappies from friends who have le#over sizes.
Second-hand toys
Buy toys second hand and disinfect thoroughly when you get home.
See how baby goes
Be careful forking out big money on breast pumps. See how baby goes first.
Sell your nappy bag
You can lose the nappy bag when you are totally comfortable travelling with baby.
Set budget challenges
Challenge yourself. Do a budget on a spreadsheet before you do anything.
Sew your own
Sew your own simple items like a breast-feeding pillow, cushions and curtains.
Share baby with others
Motherhood is heartbreaking in terms of letting go of your child. Practise.
Share your meal
Offer baby something from your meal and teach them sharing skills.
Shoe gel inserts
Buy some therapeutic gel inserts for shoes when pregnant.
Shop in rich areas
Op shops in elite areas often have quality designer gear at ridiculous low prices.
Shop regionally
Op shopping is a lot cheaper in country towns.
Shopping for nappies
Compare prices at stores: Specials at Safeway, Aldi, Big W, Kmart and Target.
Short trips
When you get home repack the nappy bag straight away.
Sign up on websites
Become a website subscriptions freak and reap the rewards of free bargains.
Sipper cup fun
As soon as baby can hold one introduce a sipper cup.
Sling advice
Be careful when buying slings. Not all babies like them.
Smelling senses
Teach baby smell. Go outside and smell a rose.
Cheap baby pen
Use modular couch pieces to create a big so! pen for you to relax with baby in.
Splat mat
Buy a retro vinyl tablecloth from your local op shop for a cheap splat mat.
Start a food co-op
Start a baby food co-op with other mums for baby food.
Start a dinner co-op
Get 7 mums together. Cook batches of food and deliver to each other.
Start them early
Enrol the kids in music classes early to get them interested.
Stay confident
Don’t listen to negative people or to competitive mothers.
Steaming food
Purchase a plastic microwave steamer.
Sticky hands are OK
Just for fun let baby play with le!overs on the plate a!er “nishing.
Stretch dresses
Stretchy dresses are super comfortable and look great.
Stuff to buy new
Buy singlets, socks and sleep suits new. Buy the rest second hand.
Summer comfort
Wear a stretchy dress with thongs in the summer if you are pregnant.
Swimming lessons
Enrol baby in swimming lessons at an early age.
Talk normally
Talk to babies like adults. $ey will learn to understand your language.
Target coupons
Sign up to Target to get coupons.
Target sales
Catch Target sales when they are for baby.
Taste sensations
Teach baby the sense of taste. Words such as yummy and yucky.
Teach baby yourself
If you cannot a#ord swimming lessons teach baby yourself.
Teaching walking
Hold arms out and ask baby to walk to you.
Teaching manners
Teach the words ta and please from an early age for a super polite child.
Test expensive gear
If your friend has the item go over for a play date and test out baby in the item.
Test on baby first
Always test baby out in the item in the store before leaving.
The knees do bend!
Show your baby that their knees actually bend!
The pot cupboard
Pots, pans and wooden spoons. Always works for me for play gear.
Thinking ahead
Birth is a good time to put baby on a primary school waiting list.
Thongs (Flip Flops)
Invest in good quality therapeutic walking thongs if you are pregnant in summer.
Time purchases well
Try not buy anything until you have had the baby shower.
Touching textures
Teach baby touch. Touch a so! pillow say so!.
Travel bag clips
Shower curtain rings make great clips for travel bags.
Travel bag dividers
When travelling place a fabric kids shoe hanger in babies suitcase to divide items.
Travel bikkies
For older babies keep a packet of bikkies in a container for snacking on when out.
Travel trick
Pack full outfits for baby and then zip lock them.
Travel with bottles
Have two sets of bottles. One set for the nappy bag and one set for use at home.
Trick for baby food
Silicon muffin trays make great baby food freezer compartments.
Trick for bottles
Shake bottles well with vinegar and rice to make them sparkle.
Tummy time
Use tummy time to encourage head control development.
Tupperware time
Let baby play with old Tupperware.
Use easy grip gear
Use baby spoons and forks with easy grips.
Use normal oats
Oats also make a great brekkie for baby. Just use the normal kind for older babies.
Using praise
Praise is so important. Always praise a great action.
Vacuum more
Vacuum more o!en so you will have peace of mind once baby is crawling.
Visit thrift shops
Visit them regularly, daily even to grab baby bargains .
Walk barefoot
Choose good shoes when baby is first learning to walk. Bare feet are best!
Walking practise
Hold baby by the arms. Take baby on some short walks around the living room.Wash hands Practise good hygiene. Also teach baby to wash their hands too.
Watch for buttons
Always check buttons are secure on out!ts.
Water play
Get a shell pool to get baby thoroughly comfortable in water. Supervise always.
Weigh up costs
Weigh up second hand prices versus the cost of buying new.
Wet mattress
Baking soda will absorb wetness in a mattress.
When to buy
Buy formula when it is on special only.
Wholesale nappies
Research nappy wholesalers online and find suppliers. Share what you find here and celebrate it!
Winter comfort
Wear a stretchy dress with long sleeve t-shirts, leggings and boots if pregnant. You will thank yourself!