Breast feeding! Lets try this again!

When I had Sam (seven years ago) I made the decision to Breastfeed. Not only did I know how good it was for my baby but I was just starting to become thrifty and knew that Breast milk costed nothing! As a single woman who was on Public assistance I was encouraged by WIC to breastfeed and it was easy to start! Sam had a good latch and I was a high yield milk producer! I was recovering from a C-section and Living with my Mother so it was easy to spend lots of time with baby and keep on it.
 I noticed early on Sam spit up  A LOT and Having had a problem with breastmilk my self I was quick to find out the reason! Sam was gaining weight and was not having any Breastfeeding issues but the first thing they did was switch him to formula, by the time I found out my 4 month Had GURD (a weak muscle on top of his stomach didn't close properly so much of what he ate spilled right back out) My baby had already been on formula for weeks and had to have supplemental juice to help with the constipation this caused.

Sam's Doctor now is a different Doctor at the practice he comes from Columbia and is currently the Doctor that goes to the hospital I am slated to deliver at, he recommends (as well as several other Doctors) giving babies with GURD a little cereal mixed with breastmilk to weight the milk down.

I am more hopeful going into breastfeeding this time. I am a supporter of those who use formula but I am very very excited and supported by my husband who is glad not to have to shell out for cans and cans of formula.

I have gotten an awesome Nursing Pillow and I learned the nursing laws in the state! I am not completely comfortable with the idea of flopping my titties out for all to see but I plan on getting some awesome nursing tanks!

I have found some great DIY ideas and am going to be trying to do some cool cheap DIYS on tank tops and maybe one of those covers apron things!

So check back and I will be updating my Breastfeeding journey with baby number 2

Poop on those old high school sweaters. No really let your baby poop on them!

If you go through your closet or the any thrift store you can find clothes you are sure that you will NEVER WEAR AGAIN! Sometimes we hang on to this stuff for sentiment and sometimes it is because we entertain that one day, someday we might fit them again!  I personally have gone through and tried to get rid of some things but I really need to try again because I got rid of NOTHING! It is easy to put things on freecycle but some of the things I have are hopeless, I know that if I give them away they will end up in a trash bag when they reach their final destination. SO What do we do with the woolen sweaters and shirts of activities past... we UPCYCLE THEM!!!

It is very quick and easy to turn the fashion statements of yesteryear and the debonaire Fluffy butts of tomorrow! here are some ideas and examples of upcycling for your baby.

T-Shirts- Everyone has shirts of sporting events, races, fundraisers and the like, I have an Aunt that runs Marathons and every time they give her a shirt! Well she is gonna let me have them and I am going to cut large squares out to use as Jersey flats, this takes only the skill to use scissors. A quick search on Pinterest shows a ton of ways to upcycle shirts into onesies and bibs and jumpers and the patterns looks easy. If you can sew a strait line on a machine you can make most of this stuff, and if you have snap players (about $10 after coupon from craft store)  the possibilities are endless. YOu can also cut squares for reusable baby wipes!

Fleece Blankets- every year people get tons of those cheap fleece throws sometimes they are ugly or thin and scratchy. I happened to get a really nice one last year with an owl on it, it rendered all my others useless... or are they?
 I have seen people cut them up to use as diaper liners ( keep baby feeling dry even in natural fibers)
I have made reusable panty liners and diapers out of them myself
YOu can also cut them into squares, make notches in the sides (about every 1/4in) and then tie the notches together to make a really nice baby blankie!
Cut a hole in the middle or sew one corner and you have a baby parka or a hooded blanket.
Make sure if you are using the fleece for diapering you check to see if it either repels or wicks away water do this by squirting water at the fleece before starting, or take a water bottle, cover the mouth of the bottle with the fleece and tip it if water come through you got a stay dry layer for liners or "facing baby" layer if no water pours through then you got a water resistant layer. Most of these throws are the former non water resistant type but most fleece sweaters and hoodies are made of the water resistant variety!

Sweaters- Again do a pinterest search of  upcycle sweaters and you will find a host of products from coffee sleeves and stuffed animals to Skirts, bunting and wool diaper soakers.
I have personally made diaper soakers and it is really easy, cut off the cuffs and cut a triangle (the bottom of the sweater becomes the base of the triangle and the waste of the garment) sew the triangle points together and take the cuffs to make leg holes. I used my machine but it can easily be done by hand. you take some soap and lanolin and wash it by hand ... waterproof diaper cover for the price of thread and lanolin! acrylic sweaters can be used to make lots of fun stuff like stuffed animals and baby pants baby pants are easy too just take the collar and sleeves off cut open the wider upper arms seams, and then sew the two legs together and put the collar on as the waist! Arms can also be used to make Leg Warmers!

Knee socks-  Knee socks can be cut up and hemmed to make leg warmers, baby leg coverings (to show off cute diapers, emo cool arm warmers, childrens scarves, hip embellishments for kids clothes, baby hats or more stuffed critters!





So as you can see with a little bit of imagination or just an internet search you can turn your closet relics or thrift store finds into a wonderful wardrobe for baby, accessories or trendy vintage looking keepsakes.