Cheap Thrills

Wanted to share with you all my very cheap go-to entertainment ideas!

Fun with stickers in the
 back seat

1. Stickers: We are obsessed with stickers as of late. I carry some in my diaper bag everywhere we go in order to stave off a melt down. I keep some in my car so I can throw them to M in the back seat when she starts to get bored. They are also great entertainment when we go out to eat.

2. Bubbles: Always a good time. Our favorite bubble solution is Gymboree. It makes 100 times more bubbles, and they last much longer too. But don't use it in your house as it will ruin your floor.

3. Balloons: M is a sucker for a balloon. For $.50 at the grocery store, or a party store, you can entertain your child for hours on end. We had one tied to M's wrist for an entire day last week, but sadly lost it to the high ceilings of Costco. Surprisingly she was not upset about the loss of said balloon as I explained to her that it actually lived at Costco and played with the giant stuffed bear at night. Thankfully she forgot that as soon as I told her and we haven't looked for the balloon during subsequent visits.

4. Notepad & Crayons: I now also keep a little flip notepad (like the ones reporters carry in old timey movies) and a couple of crayons in ziploc, in my diaper bag at all times. It also keeps M quiet during meals out and doctor's visits as she loves to draw, especially with a yellow crayon, as we are still obsessed with all things yellow!

What are your cheap entertainment ideas?

What's in your diaper bag?

Here are a few extra things that we carry, outside of the obvious diapers/wipes/changing pad/sippy cup/pacifier:

- change of clothes (in case of spit up or diaper leak, or other messy situation)

- a little paperback version of "Your Baby's 1st Year" by the American Pediatric Association. So in case you ever need to look anything up in case of illness or just something you don't know what to do!

- sunscreen

- baby spoon

- hand sanitizer

- plastic bags for dirty diapers.

- travel size medical/safety kit, children's tylenol

- burp cloths (good to have if spit-up, need to wipe their face)

*Another tip is to make sure you replace the items that you use or take out frequently.

Your Medicine Cabinet

It’s always good to ask your doctor what they recommend, but here are some basic things I think most would recommend to have on hand. And buy two of everything. Pack the second set of products in a small bag and throw it in the bottom of your diaper bag.

• Infant/Child Motrin and Tylenol
• Triple Antibiotic Cream
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Saline Drops
• Child Benadryl. Ask your doctor the proper dosage in case your child has a previously unknown allergic reaction.
• A&D Ointment. Good for diaper rash, burns, and lots of other things.
• Thermometer. Vick’s makes a good, cheap reliable brand. Most doctors will only take a rectal reading for the first year. Ask your doctor at your first appointment to show you the proper way to do it. And make your husband watch. He’ll make some inappropriate comment about violating your child, but he should know too!
• Bandaids
• Gauze Pads. Better than toilet paper when you’re trying to stop the bleeding on the way to your first set of stitches

- Mama E

Diaper Bags

A diaper bag is like a purse: you need different ones for different occasions. Each of us Mamas pretty much carries a different type of diaper bag including the following brands:

• Skip Hop (a good every day bag that your husband won’t mind carrying)
• Land’s End (the Little Tripper)
• OiOi (will pass as a purse)
• Petunia Pickle Bottom (for special occasions)
• Kate Spade (for the fancy mom