If you have a baby, you know that they need a lot of stuff. With more toiletries, creams and clothes than a supermodel, your little diva can be high maintenance. There's no doubt that baby products make the busy mom's easier, but they can be tough on the pocketbook. If you're willing to spend a little time making these things at home, you can save big bucks in the long run. Good news: It's easier than you think!

Baby Wipes
One of the easiest, most cost-effective ways moms can save money is to make baby wipes at home. You can tweak the recipe to your liking; adding fragrance oil if you wish or scented baby bath. Since you can adjust the amount of baby bath and oil, this can be a lifesaver for moms of babies with sensitive skin.

1 roll of premium brand paper towels
2 1/4 cups of water
2 tablespoons baby bath or shampoo
1 tablespoon baby oil

Cut the roll of paper towels in half using and electric knife. Mix all the liquid ingredients together. Put towels in a large mixing bowl, and pour the liquid over the top. Let the mixture soak through for 5-10 minutes and pull out the center core. Wipes will pop up through the middle. Wipes can be stored in a plastic container or a gallon-size plastic bag. A word to the wise: Don't try to save money by using cheap paper towels. The towels will disintegrate.

Baby Cereal
Instant oats pulverized in a blender makes instant baby cereal. You can purchase the oats in bulk. Prepare it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container. When you're ready to use it, just mix with breast milk, formula, or water.

Baby Food
Making your own baby food at home may seem like a daunting task, but a week's worth of food (or more) can be make the same amount of time you'd invest grocery shopping. Cook your vegetables, meat, and fruit, then put them in a blender or food processor and blend well. Spoon the mixture into ice cube trays to freeze. Empty the ice cubes into freezer bags and thaw as needed for each serving.

Antiseptic Hand Gel
Along with babies come diaper changes, spit-ups, runny noses, and lots and lots of germs. One way to combat those little bad guys is stashing an antiseptic hand gel in your purse or diaper bag. You can make your own by combining equal parts of vodka and aloe vera gel with approximately 10 drops of fragrance oil. Stir and store in a plastic bottle. Use when soap and water isn't available.

Soothing Baby Bath
Make a soothing bath for baby with oatmeal. Put plain oatmeal in the blender and pulse until powdery. Add about ½ cup in the tub water for a soothing oatmeal bath. This works well for diaper rash, too.

Electrolyte Solution

Combine:
2 quarts water 1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 C. sugar
1 packet Kool-Aid

Gatorade diluted with 50 percent water is also effective in re-hydrating baby and much less expensive than over-the-counter electrolyte solutions.

Decongestant
Onion makes an inexpensive natural decongestant for your baby. Cut an onion into chunks and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar, cover, and refrigerate for a couple of hours. The syrup that is created makes a sweet and natural decongestant. Feed baby the syrup and leave the onions behind.

Baby Bibs
You can make your own baby bibs inexpensively by purchasing kids' T-shirts or sweatshirts secondhand at garage sales or thrift stores. Leaving the front and its design, cut off the sleeves and the back. Finish the edges with a zigzag stitch or with a serger.

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About the Author
Kimberly Danger is the owner/publisher of Mommysavers.com, an online resource for parents interested in saving time and money. She is the author of 1000 Best Baby Bargains. Ms. Danger lives in Southern Minnesota with her husband and two kids.

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1000 Best Baby Bargains

The average baby costs more than $9,000 during his or her first year of life. Given this, parents are faced with tough budgeting decisions when it comes to their newest family member. Where can they save money? On which items should they avoid bargains in the interest of safety?

Read more about this book here

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