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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To throw this out?

44 replies

Autumn12 · 28/04/2013 20:00

MIL has bought my as yet unborn baby a hot water bottle with a big teddy bear thing as a cover. It's a very synthetic looking thing ( trying not to say cheap) and clearly states that its unsuitable for under 3 year olds. I would also be surprised if it confirms to any type of safety standard but I haven't checked the label properly.

Would it be bad of me to sling it out as soon as she has gone home? I feel like it probably would be but there's clearly no chance of it being used and it just feels like junk cluttering the place up.

I know she means well but I hate clutter and every time she comes she seems to bring something horrible that we neither want not need and we have to pretend to be grateful.

I'm being miserable aren't I ?:(

OP posts:
IneedAsockamnesty · 28/04/2013 20:01

Why would anyone use a hot water bottle for a baby?

Tee2072 · 28/04/2013 20:03

Just throw it in a cupboard.

NoWayPedro · 28/04/2013 20:03

Depending when your baby is born they are v useful to heat Moses baskets before babies go on. Could at least give to charity shop.

Being a bit U...

cupcake78 · 28/04/2013 20:04

If you really hate it get rid of it but wait till she has gone Wink

specialsubject · 28/04/2013 20:04

if you don't like it, donate it to charity - someone might be grateful.

yaimee · 28/04/2013 20:06

Charity shop, not bin, someone will be happy to have it.

whattodoo · 28/04/2013 20:09

I agree with nowaypedro, we found it very handy to warm the bed before DD went down.

Original poster
Autumn12 · 28/04/2013 20:12

Baby is due in August so hopefully won't be cold. I wouldn't use a hot water bottle for a baby or small child at any time though personally. I do wonder what went through her mind when she saw it and thought she would buy it.

I will charity shop it then once I've checked it's safe.

OP posts:
kinkyfuckery · 28/04/2013 20:12

Charity shop, but yes, it could be used to warm a moses basket/cot before putting baby down for the night.

mrspaddy · 28/04/2013 20:15

Ah, I wouldn't be too hard on her.. maybe don't throw it out just yet.. leave it hanging around for a while when she visits. She just wasn't thinking but sounds like a nice lady.

cansu · 28/04/2013 20:16

Use it for yourself! I have a lovely furry covered hot water bottle that I take to bed even now when tired and a bit chilly! Try to chill out and be gracious. My mum bought all sorts for my babies, some stuff I loved some I hated or it was unsuitable. I said thank you for everything and just put t away or passed on what I really didn't want. just be happy that you have someone excited about your baby!

cansu · 28/04/2013 20:19

I would also think of something not especially expensive that you might need and maybe drop into conversation that you are planning to get some. I needed lots more muslin squares than I bought as ds was very sticky baby. Ditto bibs. She probably just wants to feel involved and is trying to show you ow interested she is.

nenevomito · 28/04/2013 20:21

My MIL has never managed to buy anything age appropriate for my DCs. I keep the stuff cupboard and get it out when she comes. Once she's seen it out a couple of times it gets sold.

whattodoo · 28/04/2013 20:23

Oh gosh, I didn't mean that you should leave the hotwaterbottle in the bed! I'm not that irresponsible as a parent. Grin

Just warm the bedding and remove before putting baby in.

But if you hate it, I agree best to take it to charity shop.

AprilFoolishness · 28/04/2013 20:23

If the actual bottle looks cheap/dodgy import I'd throw out for sure. Scalding water and small children do not mix. Hot water bottles can be useful for warming cots, but I'd get to boots and get a decent one with a ce mark

Original poster
Autumn12 · 28/04/2013 20:44

It had never crossed my mind that a cot would need warming?! I plan to use those sleeping bags so hopefully it won't be necessary.

OP posts:
Original poster
Autumn12 · 28/04/2013 20:46

I'm not sure what the actual bottle looks like as I haven't examined it properly. I've only looked briefly at the bear thing and didn't like the look of it.

OP posts:
Timeforabiscuit · 28/04/2013 20:59

I see your watchdog grade water bottle and raise you a space hopper for a two year old, roller skates when they were two and a half.

Also all manner of plastic tat, inappropriate foods, forgotten sunscreen, fizzy drinks and my personal favourite of forgetting to fasten the clasp of the buggy harness , stating I was over reacting while dd1 face planted the pavement.

I'd think it was a miracle dh survived his childhood, or they couldn't afford lead paint Wink

Timeforabiscuit · 28/04/2013 21:02

Oh and yes, keep it on view for a few weeks and then charity shop it- I sense you'll be receiving many such gifts

kay1975 · 28/04/2013 21:05

Ah she prob means well. She might ask about it at a later date? And we found warming the Moses basket before putting our boys down really handy.

Xmasbaby11 · 28/04/2013 21:05

Yes could be useful for warming moses basket in the winter. I wouldn't chuck it away - that;'s a bit heartless. It's not exactly a baby essential, but I don't think it's that ridiculous. You can't throw away every gift that isn't to your taste. Remember that baby is their grandchild and they probably take a lot of pleasure choosing gifts.

DontmindifIdo · 28/04/2013 21:06

Oh, my parents bought one of those when DS was newborn! I took the hot water bottle out (very useful for my backache! You can never have too many hot water bottles in the house), then left the teddy bit in the corner of the nursery for a while, then flung that when DS was about 2...

IneedAsockamnesty · 29/04/2013 16:05

nobody needs to warm a Moses basket. Seriously really you don't well unless you live in a cave and have no heating at all.

If you live in a normal house then its pointless and quite possibly a very bad idea sleeping bags or blankets are used very effectively to be able to make sure the bed is not to warm, beds that are to warm are quite dangerous for under ones its better to have a bed that is slightly on the cooler side than it is to have one that's to warm.

Its the same thing as whacking your heating up because you have a baby not needed and dangerous.

jojane · 29/04/2013 16:21

I wouldn't throw it out but I would store it in the back of a cupboard. Our boiler broke down in feb and I couldn't find hot water bottles anywhere in our town as they had got rid f winter stock. Plenty of suncream though even though it was still bloody freezing!

maddening · 29/04/2013 22:29

might be handy for you post partum?

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