I know there are a lot of new moms on my friends list, so I thought I would share with you what started my whole journey into a simpler and more Eco friendly lifestyle.
When we found out we were expecting our second child Trev and I both knew we wanted me to be able to stay home even after my maternity leave is up. We also knew to achieve this goal we were going to have to make some big changes. I started researching some small changes we could make in how we would care for the new baby that would make a big difference.
I calculated the cost of diapers for a year and realized we were going to be spending about 1300.00-1500.00 dollars a year for as long as we needed diapers. That is buying the "cheaper" brands too. I then priced cloth diapers. I could buy cloth diapers and everything I needed to get started (wet bags etc) for about 400.00dollars.
I chose to purchase the more expensive kind that would grow with Lucy from 7-35 pounds, which meant only purchasing them once instead of 3 times as she grew. So the more expensive diaper ended up saving us even more money. Instead of spending 1300.00-1500.00 dollars for two or three years we spent 400.00 dollars once. What an incredible savings.
I have to say I generally hate laundry but I do not find it hard to stay on top of washing the diapers and I love love LOVE them. Lucy has not had ONE single diaper rash. I can double stuff a pocket diaper before bedtime and not have to worry about a leaky diaper because it is so absorbent.
Next came food. Formula is around 1500.00 dollars a year. Breast milk is free! breastfeeding also has so many health benefits for both mom and baby. with our son I only breastfed a couple weeks, this time it's been two months and I don't plan on stopping until at least a year. Not only is it saving us a lot of money, providing Lucy and I With great health benefits and great bonding, it's also so incredibly convenient. When I leave the house I only need a change of clothes and a couple diapers. Breastfeeding is Eco friendly, financially beneficial AND it's making my life simpler.
Lastly I have started baby wearing. With Jake I started this late and he didn't always love being cooped up in a sling or carrier. This time instead of pulling out the bouncy seat and everything else that takes up so much space I bought a wrap. I am in love. When she gets fussy I just put on my wrap and pick how I want to put her in. She will sleep for hours and my arms are free to clean, play with Jake or cook.
There has also been a significant amount of research done to suggest baby wearing has some undeniable benefits. In many cultures worldwide baby wearing is regarded as the norm. It provides baby with the comfort, bonding and security they need and mom with the freedom she needs to execute her daily tasks.
Dr Sears a highly regarded pediatrician has even suggested that baby wearing increases baby's intelligence. babies who are worn in a sling or wrap etc. are always around eye level and experience interactions between those around them more thoroughly then babies who are not carried. They have more chance to learn as a result.
Through these changes in parenting my life has become simpler and my bank account has not been dented in the least since having Lucy. We will save around 3000.00 dollars in the first year and around 1500.00 dollars for a year or two after. That is money that we would have had to spend on baby supplies. I never have to mess with bottle washing and prep, I'm not clogging land fills with thousands of disposable diapers and my three year old can still have my time since my hands are not always full.
I am a lot calmer parent and feel a lot less stressed. I figure if these three small changes can eliminate some stress, simplify my life, help my bank account and the environment, then imagine what a few more could do?
*For more information on cloth diapering you can go to www.littletreehugger.ca They have two locations in Canada and will ship throughout the country. They can also answer all your questions.
**For more information on breastfeeding I strongly suggest googling Dr Sears and/or Dr Jack Newman.
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