HOW BABY'S "WASTE LESS"

Today my friend commented on my son, Liam’s, t-shirt: Bat mobile! Wanna Ride?

Strange, random, funny…She asked me where I got it and I told her it was a hand-me-down from my friend, Erin, who gave me all sorts of great things from her son, who’s now five. Looking at Liam, I then realized that everything he had on was second-hand—t-shirt, jeans, shoes, socks. And while his current cloth diapers are new, when Liam was first born we were using a set that had made their way through four other families before we got them! Sounds gross, I know, but nothing that a little hot water and soap can’t fix!

Well, I began thinking about how people always tell you how expensive it is to have a baby. And it’s true—he’s going to start costing us plenty soon enough when he’s older. But a baby…babies can be pretty cheap! And what’s more, think of all the thiiings you don’t need to buy new, therefore contributing to less oil for production and shipping, less packaging…less things going to the landfill! So, here’s my ‘waste less’ breakdown—I hope it inspires future parents!

Food: First thing you’ll need for your baby, right? If you breast-feed, it’s not only best for baby, but it’s free for you! And I chose to make my own baby food once Liam was moving onto solids. I would buy organic veggies and steam/puree them myself. My friend gave me her empty baby food jars and I froze the food. So, rather than spend about .50-$1.00/jar, I’d say I spent roughly half that (and re-used the same lids and glass jars over and over…)

Second-hand Crib: Free (spent $20 to rent the U-Haul van to go pick it up)

Second-hand Crib bedding: free (thanks, sis!)

New Organic Crib Mattress that Liam never sleeps on because he cries in his crib as if he’s being tortured, so we sleep together on the queen-sized guest bed…$200 (normally $400, but I got it wholesale through work! And it will definitely be passed on.)

Second-hand Rocking chair: $80 off Craigslist

Cushion/material for chair (it had none): $15 (got eco-friendly left-over material for free from an eco-designer friend, and bought the eco-friendly padding new)

Second-hand toy box: $20 (used free material—again, from my eco-designer friend!)

Clothing: I personally have spent very little…most has been given to me second-hand from friends whose kids are older, or was bought (new) as gifts from friends/family. What I have bought is a mix between new and used (there are amazing second-hand stores that focus only on baby/kids items)

Changing table: $55 ($40 off Craigslist for the table, $15 for new padding)

Toys and books: Again, I’ve spent very little myself…new toys/books have been given to Liam as gifts, but also a lot we’ve received as hand-me-downs. This is a serious place to save money—so often they don’t even play with the toy that just cost someone $25, so why buy new? In fact, find a friend or two with kids the same age and trade toys every few weeks!

Potty: $15 (second-hand shop)

Stepping stool: free from a friend (who got it free from a friend). I repainted it with left-over, eco-friendly paint I had sitting in my closet.