1. COOL BOILED WATER

Before you go out fill your kettle with water and boil it. Leave a note to remind you. When you return you will have cool boiled water.

2. PLAY MASKS

A cardboard box larger than your childs head can make an ideal mask if you cut out mouth, ears, eyes, and nose followed by appropriate decoration.

3. GIANT BABIES BIB

A terry nappy tied at the back of the neck or alternatively with ties sewn on can be used as a giant bib to keep small babies clean.

4. ICE CREAM CORNETS

When teaching a baby to feed, fill ice cream cones with thick pureed food. This is easier for babies to hold than a spoon, and gives Mum a free hand too!!

5. BABIES PICNIC FOOD

Try giving baby yoghurt slightly diluted with milk in a beaker, this is cleaner than a spoon and gives Mum free hands too!

6. SUGAR FREE DRINK

Try giving small children some water with a few drops of lemon juice added, this has less sugar than many other drinks

7. BREADSTICKS

Use crusts of bread cut into thin sticks coat with Vegemite if desired and microwave for 1 minute or until crisp. These can be great for baby to use as teethers or just to chew on.

8. CHILDREN AND VEGETABLES

To encourage children to eat peppers put some baked beans, ravioli or other favourite food into an empty de-seeded pepper with the top replaced as a hat, any child is fascinated by the surprise inside. Bake peppers for around 25 minutes at 200C or 180C on a fan assisted oven.

9. WEANING

Empty fromage frais pots are useful for holding individual portions of pureed food when weaning a baby.

10. BABY SUNDAE

Make your own baby dessert quickly and cheaply; simply soak some bread (crusts removed) in fruit juice add some mashed banana or mashed tinned pears and a tablespoon of formula milk powder beat well with a fork and top off with crushed bread sticks.

11. PUNCTURE FREE PADDLING POOL /SAND PIT

For small children use a large plastic toy box as a paddling pool that won't break. You could use this as a sand pit instead.

12. EASY BABY MEALS

From the age of 6 months onwards use any mashed potato and flavour with cheese, vegetables or fish etc to create a number of easy meals

13. JELLY

Add sultanas to a jelly for a change - most children love them

14. COLD PICNIC DRINK LOLLY

Freeze individual cartons of drinks and use as lollies and cool blocks in your cooler bag.

15. BALLOONS

At the end of your childs' party give each child a balloon with their name written on along with their goodie bag.

16. PARTY FOOD LEFTOVERS

Cut savoury sandwiches into cubes and place in dish with chopped sausages, pour over 3 eggs and 500ml milk, beat together, season to taste, bake in a moderate oven for 25 minutes or until set, the top with crushed crisps and grated cheese.

17. SAVE EMBARRASSMENT

If your baby seems to be constantly sick, take an old sheet with you when visiting, so that baby can sit on this and save carpets and furniture.

18. FIRST SHOES

For babies' first shoes stick some soles onto the bottom of old socks before buying expensive shoes that will only last a few weeks.

19. PRAM SHEETS

Old pillow cases make ideal fitted pram sheets. These will usually fit snugly over a pram mattress if you are short of pram sheets

20. COT PROTECTION

Protect baby in his cot from the cat or other children by placing a piece of garden trellis over the cot tied at one end. This is more secure than a cat net particularly if you have a large cat!.

21. CHILDS BEDROOM

You may find it practical to put bathroom carpet in the small bedroom for your child as it will clean better if any small accidents occur.

22. BUNK BEDS

Make a curtain for the bottom bunk in your childs favourite material, He will be able to shut himself away if so desired.

23. FAVOURITE TOY

Use a nappy pin to secure your childs favourite teddy to his coat when you go out, this will ensure that teddy is not lost.

24. NURSERY COLLECTION

When collecting your child from nursery always the same "special bag" to put his painting or drawings in, this adds to the excitement of bringing them home.

25. WET BEDS

When potty training at night make a childs' bed up with two alternate layers of sheets an plastic covers. When an accident occurs simply remove the damp sheet and plastic cover below and put the child back to bed on the ready made bed.