December 2010: no, it's not an autumn pumpkin up my jumper ...

[Miffster]

...and we're gliding towards the third trimester, draped in suitably flowing attire.

Oh! And while I'm here... Sheepskins? They look so lovely but are they really any better than an ordinary blanket/mat? Or are they just the first step down the slippery slope to becoming a neurotic 'yummy mummy'?!

Japh we have the quinny buzz but bought the carrycot part on ebay. There are also other places online where it's cheaper to buy: here

Am not sure about pillows, I thought they were unsafe for very small babies?

hettiew I was going to get one cuddly toy and some of those black and white board book things. Not sure about sheepskins though :)

OWO - thinking of you like mad and sending you and baby good luck vibes.

Japh, we've got an Amby Nature's Nest, which is meant to be v. good for reflux, flathead and settling.

hettiew - I think having a few toys is good to help stimulate the baby and provide distraction! I know friends have found play gyms helpful for entertaining LOs for 5 minutes while you have a shower/get dressed/put the kettle on. And a soft toy or comforter can be good.

DF - normal pillows (along with duvets and quilts) shouldn't be used before 12 months because of the risk of smothering & overheating if they got on the baby's face and they couldn't push it off.

But one consequence of the back-to-back campaign to reduce SIDS is that flat-head syndrome is now more common. A friend's LO had it and had to wear a soft-helmet for months to correct it. In Sweden they actually recommend you use a specialist baby pillow to prevent this.

JoJo have a couple of options, such as the Heart Baby Pillow and the Memory Foam Baby Pillow. None of them are soft or big, so they shouldn't be an issue with SIDs/smothering, but it's hard to find decent UK info on options because the official line is "no pillows".

We're thinking of getting the Quinny Buzz pushchair from Mothercare (to get the 2 year guarantee) but then get the carrycot and extras elsewhere to get them cheaper. Thanks for the link!

OnlyWantsOne hope its going ok, and you're feeling able to rest with no additional stesses

Hi everyone, hope bank holiday is restful for you all.

Is flathead where hair gets rubbed off the back of baby's head or is that something else?

No, flat head is when the baby's head becomes deformed from them lying in one position a lot when the skull is still flexible. It's especially common if the baby is born with a neck restriction (possibly as a result of strain during birth) or if the baby isn't good at tummy-time.

The following info is good, but US, so refers to doctors etc that we don't have access to!
www.babycenter.com/0_plagiocephaly-flat-head-syndrome_1187981.bc

Thanks japhrimel, gosh had never heard of that before. Doesn't sound very nice though

Hi everyone - can't believe its back to work again tomorrow :(
Just wondered does anyone have any experience of the Bumbo seat? I hadn't even heard of them till yesterday,

also - I started pg yoga this week and it was brilliant, I guess classes differ quite a bit but i was umming and ahhing over whether to go and I loved it, it was really relaxing and there was lots of chat and advice - oh lavita there was a lady having twins and the teacher said to her she does still need to do the left hand side lying down (I know you asked this a while ago) :)

OWO - thinking of you

Thanks kittybump, twin 2 is on the left side and when we had our scan she had her back to the outside of my bump, if that makes sense. I find it more comfy to sleep on that side anyway, well comfy is probably not the right word twin 1 has her head on my right side so I worry I am lying on her head that side iyswim

I'm off to Cornwall for the last time before babies come, to see my parents as it's just too far from London as we get closer to the date. I don't want to do a Sam Cam

I'll catch up soon, hope you all had a lovely bank holiday weekend

japhrimel I've got physio appointment mid-Sept so not started any exercises yet. The yoga has been helping a bit.

kittybump we had a bumbo for DD and it was brilliant. Given to us by friend, she's got it back again at the moment for her DC2. You can't use until they are sitting, about 6 months-ish, but DD loved hers and I used to cart it round the house/garden so she could watch me getting on with housework etc. I also used to pop her in it to feed her snack.

hettiew we didn't have that much but did find a mobile over the cot with black and white shapes (think it was fisher price) was ace - if I put it on long tune DD would be happily entertained long enough to grab a shower! Also play gym is helpful.

OWO hope you are getting on ok.

I have got serious back to work blues, although we're going awaty Friday so only three days to get through...

Wholelottalove - it's all based around pelvic floor/lower ab exercises so if you know any, even just the basic ones, that'll help.

Any news OWO?

I was actually thinking of now getting a pram/buggy/pushchair at all......... just getting a good sling and baby carrier. It sounds terrible but you really don't go out walking much at all in the middle east. There are no pavements so if you did go out you would always be walking in the road. Also its just too hot for 6/8 months of the year and too cold the rest of the time! lol What do you think?

About baby toys, I have my eyes on getting some of the toys from the lamaze toy range. I love them and they have all sorts of patterns and scrunchy bits. www.lamazetoys.co.uk I am also going to get one of those playmats so I can at least get 5 mins to go to the loo....maybe

OWO hope you're okay and baby doesn't make an appearence just yet.

Kittybump I.ve got a bumbo and they're great, both DD and DS loved it although DD had really chunky legs and didn't fit in it for long.

We're only getting one or two baby toys as a sort of christmas present as we've still got most of them from DD and DS. IME the best ones are ones that are also teethers as I've found that until they're a few monts old babies aren't usually interested in toys.

squistle I'd wait til baby's born (if you can) to get a play mat so you can see if they like something like that. Neither of mine were impressed and screamed if I tried to put them on it. They did love their bouncer with a toy arch which plays music when they bat the toys.

You know what, I hadn't even thought about Christmas presents for the baby crazykat! now I'm thinking back to what some others have posted about the tat they think they will get given and I wonder what monstrostities I can expect for my baby's first Christmas. A million and one reindeer sleepsuits probably!?

Heya, all is well, no bleeding or any problems - thank you for all your nice messages.

Whats everyone doing?

So far I have a
moses basket
pram
car seats
muslins
sleepy suits / vests
blankets
have bought a sling (if it ever bloody turns up)
nappies
nipple sheilds (were amazing last time)
sanitary mattresses pads
picked up boots changing bag (gotta love a freebie)

Oh, and our lab puppy comes on saturday... madness

Hello all, hope you had a good bank holiday weekend.

OWO So glad to hear you are ok, and yes you are mad to be getting a puppy .

Maternity coats; I got one from ASOS in the sale, they always seem to have bargains on there.

Pillows; have been thinking of getting one of those pillows as DS would only face one way and that side became flat, his ears became wonky and it lead to me having to stop breastfeeding as he would only feed from one side which wasn't enough. Even if I don't get a pillow I will be making sure this doesn't favour a 'side'.

Toys; Will prob get a few bits like a mobile, and playmat, to wrap up incase the baby comes before Christmas but more for the other Dc benefit IYSWIM. Saw some lovely things in John Lewis yesterday, can't believe how expensive and complicated baby gyms have become though.

Bumbo; from what I have heard it is a bit of a Marmite buy. I wouldn't pay full price for one but have seen them v.cheap second hand.

Off to Midwife today, I want to get my exemption certificate, and whatever I need to apply for Mat allowance and Health in Preg grant.
Also want to ask her why I can't shut my legs and about dry eyes.
Only 6 days until I go on holiday woo hoo!

OWO - so glad everything is okay. Tell that baby to move away from the exit, okay?

Puppies are fab. Yes, you're a bit crazy to get one now, but meh.

squistle - if you won't be walking with baby, not getting a pushchair sounds like a good idea. At least that way you could wait and get a light-weight umbrella folding stroller from 6 months.

We'll be walking with baby alot, what with walking the dog, going shopping, etc, etc. And as I have lots of back, joint & fatigue issues I'm concerned that I won't be able to cope with a carrier much.

DH told my Mum how much the Buzz is though and she flipped out apparently saying it was ridiculous. It will be the most expensive purchase by far - the basic pushchair (without basket, car seat, etc) is £400 and the shopping list is now down to just over £2000 for everything including birht pool!

DuelingFanjo - we're not buying many toys at all in case we get given lots at Christmas. A few things on the shopping list - playmat, bouncer chair, mobile - have been relegated to a list of possible Christmas presents in case family ask what to buy the baby! Plus I figure we're not going to need them much in the first couple of weeks.

notso - I ended up getting one of [[http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+Memory-Foam-Baby-Pillow+B6732 these].

consider the baby told!! However, im not allowed to do much at home, so going to go mad today... there is a pile of ironing glaring at me

Squistle I think not getting a push chair would be fine, have you thought about getting a good sling? Japhrimel I found that pushing a push chair also buggered my back up (wrong position for my posture, also geting the farking thing in and out of the car) so I plan to use the sling as much as poss this time (not a carrier) as it distributes the weight evenly.

Any one dare toshare recent bump photos? Im going to take one today, as Im 27 weeks tomorrow :)

Where I had the steroid injections, one in each thigh I have HUGE bruises :( but made the midwife tell me my blood counts from Sat night (trying to avoid more bloods taken at 28 week MW appt) and my HB levels (thats iron isnt it?) was 12.4... so thats dropped from 12.9 at booking in, not bad :)

So pleased baba is staying put, OWO - was thinking about you both and the weekend and hoping for you!

Shopping: I am still picking up random bits:

new mattresss and sheets for Amby Nature's Nest (hammock bed he will sleep in during day and which will be his fulltime bed for a few months once we move to the island since I can't take wooden bednest with me). When he grows out of it it turns into a bouncer!

new mattress and sheets for the bednest I have been loaned for first 3 months in UK with him.

Ebay has been good: picked up a few bundles of 3-6 months and 6+ months summer clothes for when we move as reckon will be harder to find these once cold weather starts here.

Also got a 6+ months summer gro-bag and a pack of huge muslins in bump to 3 sale

Bidding for a blue cotton mobysling.

Also got some new camisoles to wear instead of uncomfy bras, and a black top, dark jeans and a black dress to wear for work. Black with big boots is going to be my autumn winter staple look, with different coloured waterfall cardigans and scarves and accessories!

To be fair, that's pretty much what I wear in winter anyway. No idea what to do about coats - have an M&S large wool shawl wrap coat which might work - it used to wrap round me and drown me completely when I wasn't pregnant!

Is anyone else finding they keep spilling food and drink on their bumps?

Oh yeah - baby toys. Have been told by new parents on another forum I visit that this black and white baby mobile and 'books' is 'the only toy a newborn needs' 'baby crack' and 'amazing - totally entrances them when you clean their bum'.

Gift ideas - have decided to ask for specific things as really can't cope with stuffed toys/cashmere blankets/heard back books/china or silverware as we're selling up and shipping out so can't cope.

Therefore we want: a baby sheepskin rug thing (thought it was a good grandparent sort of gift), a cheap fold-up baby bouncer, a teething rattle you can put in the freezer and one of these baby hoodie travel wraps ( also a good grandparent gift).

OWO - glad to hear the baby is ok :)

I have just put my 24 week bump on my profile, I am 26 weeks now though.

I've been looking around at the different slings.....haven't found one I like that has good reviews. Anyone have any suggestions?

great news OWO fingers crossed baby stays put now!

Had the most wonderful night's sleep last night - DD is staying at her grandparents so was able to totally switch off, plus no random requests being shouted out from her room in the middle of the night and no-one asking if it's time to get up yet at 5am. (oh, you first timers have such a lot of joy to look forward to )

bumbo my SIL had one - her twins hated it, so I probably won't bother.

toys we had a couple of small soft toys, one witha rattle in, for when DD was born. Would definitely second the suggestion of teethers, but search around for the lightest ones you can find - they tend to be rather heavy and that means baby can't hold them on their own.

miffster I'm glad you're happy with a black winter wardrobe - I hate wearing black as it makes me look like death warmed up and virtually everything in the shops maternity wise is black at the mo.

anyway, back to work.....

Hi everyone, wow, can't believe how far we all are!

OWO - so pleased that LO looks to be keeping put... Fingers crossed it stays that way . Keep your feet up and ignore that ironing .

Japh - It may be worth looking at some second hand sites for a buzz... There is a 'pre-loved' website that has oodles of buggies, many of which are hardly used. I can understand why many people want new for these things (I was one of them!) but its amazing how good the quality can be of these second hand bargains. We've got a excellent quality Graco travel system - car seat / base unit / buggy / carry cot / rain covers etc for £60. Its in great condition . So now I can justify getting a nice new bright cosy toes which will act as a buggy liner once the weather picks up next year. (The ones I've seen are almost as much as our buggy!).

Miffster - Hope you like the amby - we had one for DS2 and loved it! Sold it to a friend though who now wants to sell it again but she's now in Spain.

Squistle - I'm going to get a hug-a-bub sling... Looks good and I've been recommended it by a couple of people who said they are really comfy and quite light weight - they are quite pricey but if you're not getting a buggy then I guess thats not an issue. Again I'm taking a look at second hand although I know grandparents want to get a present so that could be a good one.

How are the wedding plans coming C&G? Hope good! .

DF - your bump is lovely and neat! Just perfect! I'll maybe pop a piccie on mine on but will need to get the wide angled lens out . The other day at work someone said "oh my goodness, if we hear a pop we'll know what it is". Needless to say the woman who said that has never had kids herself otherwise she'd know how un-funny that is....

Hope everyone else is doing well!! Good here - lovely weekend with extended family who all said how fab I looked! They are obviously well trained . Work busy but I'm hoping only got 6 weeks left... I want to have about 5 or 6 weeks at home before the baby arrives, especially as its a good chance to spend some time with my other 2. With DS2 I left it too late and only had about 2 or 3 days off before he arrived 2 weeks early. In fact I was still effectively on holiday and not even on mat leave at that point.