The Nursery

It's time to start getting the nursery ready. I am sticking to my original plan of a gender neutral nursery, even though we were told that we are having a girl just last week! I am really not into the typical baby room decor where everything is "matchy matchy", the crib has a frilly skirt and the windows have a valance that matches the bedding.

I got these graphic leaf pattern curtains custom made (Etsy) and had them in the bedroom of my last house. I think they will be great for the baby's room. We are going with a bright yellow paint for the walls - either Martha Stewart "Egg Yolk" or Benjamin Moore "Yellow Highlighter". 

I am trying to purchase most baby items from Kijiji.  I am proud of the great deals I have got so far!

I plan on changing the fabric on the Glider, but other than that it's in great condition.

• Change Table - free
• Crib - $80
• Rocker/Glider - $100

I did choose to buy a new mattress for the crib (see post: Organic Baby Crib). I purchased this from a great local retailer, Tummies to Tots. The staff is very helpful and I can't say enough about supporting businesses in our community!


I found a great decal company located in British Columbia - Urban Walls. I am a big fan of wall decals because they are an affordable way to make a huge impact in a room. The design I am going with is "Trees" for $99.00. You can choose your own colours for the trees and the birds. I have selected Charcoal for the trees and will go with either White or Turquoise for the birds.

I will post some photos once the room is complete! 

Baby Powder & Baby Oil Alternatives

There is a whole baby care industry that is devoted to cutely packaged such as powders, lotions, and oils. Most of these options are not necessary, sometimes overpriced, and are not always the safest option for your baby.

Baby Oil
Johnson's Baby Oil contains Mineral Oil and Fragrance. Mineral oil is defined as a distillation product of petroleum. So basically every time you use baby oil, you are rubbing a petroleum byproduct on your baby. No thanks!

Olive oil and coconut oil are some alternatives to baby oil. Olive oil is great for the skin, if you don't mind your baby smelling like this all the time.

At Fresh Co, a 591mL bottle of Johnson's Baby Oil is $4.79. You can buy the same size of Compliments brand Baby Oil for $3.29. Olive Oil is a cheaper and more natural option. I recently bought a bottle of 750mL Mastro Olive Oil on sale for $4.99.
 
Here is a great site that tells you how to make your own baby oil! 


Baby Powder
If you check the ingredients in baby powder, you will find that most contain talc. Talc is a carcinogen, which means it is a substance capable of causing cancer. There are some baby products with "pure cornstarch powder" in the name. A bottle of Johnson's baby powder is anywhere from $7.49 to $4.79 for a 623g bottle. ($7.49 at Shoppers Drug Mart, and $4.79 at Fresh Co.)

Why spend that when you can just buy cornstarch? I am going to buy cornstarch in bulk and buy a spice jar with holes in the top for my nursery. I am not sure the cost of cornstarch, but buying bulk is usually cheaper and there is also less packaging this way.

Read this article for more information about the health risks and environmental costs of  talcum powder.

Buy Used.

I know some people are "above" buying used items, particularly for their baby. I can't begin to tell you how many people look disgusted when I say I plan on buying most of my baby items used! 

It's hard not to get all caught up in all of the adorable baby items available. I am trying to resist temptation. I realize I will get a lot of gifts, and anything that I need to buy myself I will try to buy used when possible. Babies grow so fast that I don't see the sense in paying $20 for pants at Baby Gap that they will wear only for a few months. Things that I need to buy new (such as a car seat), I will try to buy from a local supplier rather than supporting Babies "R" Us. 

The Benefits

• Save money! In most cases, buying used is far less expensive than buying the item brand new.
• Buying used means fewer items end up discarded in our landfills.
• No raw materials have to be used to make that item new.

Consumers Reports advises you don't buy a play yard, car seat, crib, breast pump, or soft infant carrier used. You can view more information here: http://news.consumerreports.org/baby/2008/04/used-baby-produ.html

I love a good deal, so this won't be the first blog post about items I have found at amazing prices. I plan on recording all of my purchases in a spreadsheet so I can track all baby expenses. I love doing up budgets and expenses as much as I love a bargain. 

I recently got a demonstration of baby strollers at Tummies to Tots (http://tummiestotots.ca/), which is a great store in London that carries new and gently used baby items. I was really impressed with the Valco Baby Single Tri Mode Ex stroller, which sells for $499.99. 

I found this exact stroller gently used on Kijiji. It also came with a Cup Holder (sells new for $25.00) and a UV Insect Mesh (sells new for $40.00). I would have paid $564.99 + tax if I had bought these items brand new, and I paid $265 buying used.