January 2011 - New year, new baby! - 2nd Trimester

[mummychicken]

Got there first - thanks Sarrita for the suggestion!!

Macmomo, I found it easiest when I was expecting my first to make lists in groups so I could get the essentials.

Clothing - some babygrows and vests, maybe some scratch mitts and a hat

Feeding - bottles if needed, formula, sterilising method, muslins, bottle brush. Lansinoh, breast pads

Bathing - baby bath or baby bath support, soft towels, baby bath wash if wanted, cotton wool

Nappy changes - changing mat, size 1 nappies, sudocrem, nappy bags, changing bag of some sort

Transport - car seat, buggy

Sleeping - swaddling blankets (very good idea believe me!), cellular blankets, something to sleep in! A moses basket will do to start with and very cheap.

Other
Monitor unless the baby will be with you all the time
Dummies - if you decide to use them
bouncy chair - for putting them down when your arms are aching
A sling/baby bjorn thingy - for me the best thing I owned - instant sleeping and hands free for mum

I didn't buy anyything until 30 weeks as I was too superstitious. I haven't bought anything this time round either with 11 weeks to go. DOn't panic! An evening in front of the computer with your debit card and you'll be sorted! I can't think of anything else but you'd be sorted with all that lot!

Hi all - lots of catching up to do this time! Welcome to new people!

Its exciting talking about all the baby things - we don't need much this time but the less obvious things I found great in the first month were:

• Lansinoh

• Lovely hot chocolate from hotel chocolat (every night for the first few weeks of sleeplessness!)

Sorry to first timers for the next ones but cuts/tears may become a reality.....

• Tea tree oil for adding to water either in bath or to rinse when weeing to help healing

• Moist toilet roll causes much less distress "down there" and cleans away the bleeding better

With things for the baby, DS absolutely hated being swaddled and screamed as if you were trying to murder him when we tried. He also hated gro-bags for the first few months but slept in one ever since then until he went into his proper bed! So you might need to follow babys lead for a few things anyway.

Shopping for extra things in the first few weeks is not too bad as they sleep so much!

25/12 - BunnyBaby, 34, pg3 (1DS), BABY
26/12 - Stenogirl, 36, pg1, BABY
27/12 - FunkyMonkey1983, 27, pg1, BABY
28/12 - tellnoone, pg3 (2dcs), GIRL
29/12 - Jobi1, 35, pg3 (1DS), BABY(due 010111)
31/12 - Littlehuman, 29, pg1, GIRL
31/12 - CLB1, 27, pg1, BOY
02/01 - newyearmummy, 34, pg1 BABY
05/01 - berrycravings, 25, pg1 BOY
07/01 - sarrita, 33, pg 2, BABY
07/01 - deedee321, 33, pg2, BOY
07/01 - walkthedog, 39, pg1, BABY
08/01 - mummychicken, 38, pg2 BABY
09/01 - Hannah1890,20, pg1, BOY
10/1 - Amberc, pg2 (1DS), TWIN GIRLS
10/01 - Asianbabe, 34, pg2, BOY
11/01 - splodge77, 33, pg1 BABY
11/01 - Panta777, 37, pg1, BABY
11/01 - wondersnuffle, 30, pg2, BABY
12/01 - EmysBoo, 28, pg1, BOY
16/01 - Loudlass, 29, pg9 (4th dc), BOY
16/01 - Blanchedevereaux, 33, pg2 BABY
17/01 - mamasunshine, 27, pg3 GIRL
17/01 - kiwijesta, 30, pg1 GIRL
17/01 - travispickles, 32, pg1 GIRL
18/01 - careylouwho, 33, pg1 BABY
18/01 - gallicgirl, 35, pg1 GIRL
19/01 - PenguinNZ, 32, pg2 (1DS) BOY
20/01 - feelinghip, 33, pg1 BABY
22/01 - Superparty, 37, pg6 BOY
20/01 - MammaK, 31, pg2 BABY
23/01 - DancingCat, 39, pg1 BOY
25/01 - LadyBuzz 30, pg3 GIRL

Have finally added myself to the list!

My one thing my NZ friends and family have recommended is this stuff ointment. Basically its a miracle cream that I already use for scabs, insect bites, chapped lips and everything! Friends with babies have also used it for sore nipples, and nappy rash. God I sound like a paid advert (which i'm not!)

Hope half term is treating everyone well, I'm going into school today to sort out my cupboards which are in serious need of a tidy up. Considering I've been planning on doing this for the last 7 weeks I better get a wriggle on or next thing I know it will be the last day of term.

25/12 - BunnyBaby, 34, pg3 (1DS), BABY
26/12 - Stenogirl, 36, pg1, BABY
27/12 - FunkyMonkey1983, 27, pg1, BABY
28/12 - tellnoone, pg3 (2dcs), GIRL
29/12 - Jobi1, 35, pg3 (1DS), BABY(due 010111)
31/12 - Littlehuman, 29, pg1, GIRL
31/12 - CLB1, 27, pg1, BOY
02/01 - newyearmummy, 34, pg1 BABY
05/01 - berrycravings, 25, pg1 BOY
07/01 - sarrita, 33, pg 2, BABY
07/01 - deedee321, 33, pg2, BOY
07/01 - walkthedog, 39, pg1, BABY
08/01 - mummychicken, 38, pg2 BABY
09/01 - Hannah1890,20, pg1, BOY
10/1 - Amberc, pg2 (1DS), TWIN GIRLS
10/01 - Asianbabe, 34, pg2, BOY
11/01 - splodge77, 33, pg1 BABY
11/01 - Panta777, 37, pg1, BABY
11/01 - wondersnuffle, 30, pg2, BABY
12/01 - EmysBoo, 28, pg1, BOY
12/01 - cotswolder, 35, pg1, BABY
16/01 - Loudlass, 29, pg9 (4th dc), BOY
16/01 - Blanchedevereaux, 33, pg2 BABY
17/01 - mamasunshine, 27, pg3 GIRL
17/01 - kiwijesta, 30, pg1 GIRL
17/01 - travispickles, 32, pg1 GIRL
18/01 - careylouwho, 33, pg1 BABY
18/01 - gallicgirl, 35, pg1 GIRL
19/01 - PenguinNZ, 32, pg2 (1DS) BOY
20/01 - feelinghip, 33, pg1 BABY
22/01 - Superparty, 37, pg6 BOY
20/01 - MammaK, 31, pg2 BABY
23/01 - DancingCat, 39, pg1 BOY
25/01 - LadyBuzz 30, pg3 GIRL

added to the list.

Ooh looking at the list, isn't it exciting! Not long to go now! I wonder who will be the first?!

As for necessary shopping, I completely agree that its a world gone mad what people spend.

Things I would add to the good advice already given: -

We got a moses basket and stand, cheaper and more portable than a crib, but also a bit smaller. DS moved from it to his cot at about 3 months.

I found vest, sleepsuit, sheet and double layer cellular blanket was great while in moses basket, because it was easy to tuck him in tight when tiny. Once he was in a cot, we relatively quickly made the move to sleeping bags, which are great for little fidgets. You can generally get 2ish tog for winter and 1 for summer. Next and the supermarkets are generally a LOT cheaper than mothercare/john lewis/gro bag. Worn with vest and sleepsuit as before.

Completely agree that sleepsuits/babgrows are much easier when they're little than proper outfits. You will probably be given loads of clothes anyway, so no need to buy too much.

Muslins are a god send, both for shoulders and cribs and playmats, if you have a sicky baby like I did!

Not all babies like slings etc, but they are nice and very easy tranportation while they're little.

For a pushchair the sky seems to be the limit for what you can spend and there seem to be all sorts of fashions which wind me up no end to be honest. But each to their own. What we did was get a standard strong pushchair which folded down smallish, umbrella fashion. It also had a function to lay baby pretty much flat. The best bit was that it also fitted the car seat, so when he was small it was easy to get him in and out for the car and into the pushchair. Think it was a Graco and not expensive at all. We'll be using it again this time, as well as the sling hopefully and then when little one is approaching a year or so the lightweight maclaren buggy we use for toddler now. So good moneys worth all round I think.

Anyway, enough waffle from me!

Oh another thought. Cot versus cot bed.

We just went with a cot, which we'll be using for new arrival come March April time. DS is in a smallish and inexpensive toddler bed, and therefore doesn't need to move again in 5 months time, as he would have done if we were using a cot bed. Also the baby will be in a smallish room, and the toddler bed will fit in there in due course a lot easier than a normal size single bed, when DS is ready to move to a proper bed (he's in a bigger room). All round seems relatively economical in terms of space and expense I think.

[hsmile]

IN terms of pushchairs, I got an all singing all dancing pram to pushchair convertible jobby. It was quite heavy but lovely and plush and padded. My DS was in a maclaren by 6 months! The first one was too heavy to lug around especially on public transport and it didn't fold down easily. A word of advice - the weight of the pushchair will make a difference - after a while you'll get fed up of it!

A moses basket is great for the first couple of months - nice and light and small enough for the baby to feel cozy and not overexposed. I have some very cute pics of my first in his (in my profile!) if you need convincing!

Me too. Way too much shopping going on with new babies, when there is so much secondhand/free stuff to be had.

Muslins, babygrows, cellular blankets (big ones for swaddling - I'm a swaddler), a maclaren and a sling. I used real nappies from a laundry at first. I'm just going to launder them myself this time. Real nappies are much better at preventing leaks BTW.

Make sure you get bisophenol free bottles if you are bottle feeding or pumping. Ones with BS are now banned in Canada and are linked to infertility in males and early puberty in girls. The BS leaches into the warm milk.

You get a free sudocreme in your bounty pack at the hospital. It's a little one and dead handy in the beginning. Can also recommend Tui Balm (olive oil and bee wax) - you can get it online. It is excellent natural stuff which is sooooooo good for their skin. I used it for DS in the beginning as he seemed a bit post-mature when he came out and all his skin flaked off.

I co-slept at first - husband in the spare bed. And was lent a brilliant Naturesway hammock. DS loved it and was in it till 8 months. Highly recommend them.

The only new stuff I bought was change mat and a mattress. Secondhand change table and cot. I have my eye on a change table/chest of drawers from IKEA which I think would be handy in the long run, as we squeeze another person into our 2 bed flat.

Get those big rolls of cotton. They are very good value, and I always used that at home and wipes when out. The fleece wipes are a very very good idea.

My friend has offered to lend me her buggaboo while the baby is little. I'd just use that for the first months and keep it in the boot of the car for walks - which I did a lot of when DS was little.

Oops - to avoid confusion Bisophenol is not abbreviated to BS but BPA [hconfused]. So if you are looking for Bisophenol free it will say 'BPA free'.

hi all
i had a look at the discussion of the day " babys first time, you d like to forget", there are pretty funny comments, if you have 5 min to spare!

received a letter today, my maternity allowance have been accepted yuppyyy!!!wasnt sure if i was gonna qualify for it or not so its such a "releave", "relief", "relive"...oops cant spell it anymore help!!!blain it on pg brain lol

hello everyone

i feel very prepared as we ordered our pram today which was the last thing on the 'need to buy' list. it's only because with my dd i left everything til the last minute and ended up being taken into hospital early and it was really stressful trying to organise things from there!

had a scan last week and another to come towards end of novemeber - looks like everything is fine (fingers crossed). thank goodness someone is - my spd has gotten so bad I can't walk without crutches and have had to get special things in the house to help me off the loo, etc. not cool. i feel about 80!

hope everyone is doing well. not long to go now - only 9 weeks for me.

xxx

Hi all, quick catch up, been AWOL.

Had glucose tolerance test last Friday, luckily has come back within normal limits.

Feel for you postmodern, by SPD has also got worse, have along with my orignal pains since week 17, have now got horrible pubic symphsis and undercarriage pain. Thankfully it doesn't kick off badly until about 4pm.

OH's back pain had a major flare up, he went to put jeans on last Saturday, and since then he can't sit due to pain, can stand for very short periods. Couldn't even get into car, so I could take him to GP. GP was great and did a phone consultation. Think it is a prolapsed disc. He's been signed off until Wednesday, but not sure he'll be fit enough to go back to work this week. Hopefully he'll get better soon and I don't get any worse. My parents are going to come over to help out, probably this week.

Nothing to add to shopping list. We've been gathering things for a while, borrowed, secondhand and a couple of new items. Got the best charity shop bargin this week - 25p for a perfect condition swaddling blanket by grobag!

Anyone else started antenatal classes? Ours are called Parent Craft education. I was the only one there without a partner. Wasn't too impressed with the class. Will def go to next two as about labour/birth/postnatal, but the other couple not sure if they are worth the effort, quite a trek to them, especially when I am sore.

Hello all. Sorry to hear about those of you with SPD it must be very frustrating to feel limited in that way. And impressed with how organised you are, as I'm so run down I'm leaving it all to the last minute.

I too had blood tests and it turns out that my red blood cells and folic acid are low. This must be why why I've been feeling so faint and exhausted. I tell you, I am really struggling with work and my 2 year old, and feel very impotent. Any of you in this situation? I'm hoping that the pregaday tablets will work and I pick up soon.

A neighbour offered a Moses basket and I accepted, thinking it was a really kind offer. However when it came it turned out that it was frayed, had lost it's lining and smelled of mildew. Why did she offer it? And would she out her baby in it? I guess I will have to buy one!

Have a good Sunday!

25/12 - BunnyBaby, 34, pg3 (1DS), BABY
26/12 - Stenogirl, 36, pg1, BABY
27/12 - FunkyMonkey1983, 27, pg1, BABY
28/12 - tellnoone, pg3 (2dcs), GIRL
29/12 - Jobi1, 35, pg3 (1DS), BABY(due 010111)
31/12 - Littlehuman, 29, pg1, GIRL
31/12 - CLB1, 27, pg1, BOY
02/01 - newyearmummy, 34, pg1 BABY
05/01 - berrycravings, 25, pg1 BOY
07/01 - sarrita, 33, pg 2, BABY
07/01 - deedee321, 33, pg2, BOY
07/01 - walkthedog, 39, pg1, BABY
08/01 - mummychicken, 38, pg2 BABY
09/01 - Hannah1890,20, pg1, BOY
10/1 - Amberc, pg2 (1DS), TWIN GIRLS
10/01 - Asianbabe, 34, pg2, BOY
11/01 - splodge77, 33, pg1 BABY
11/01 - Panta777, 37, pg1, BABY
11/01 - wondersnuffle, 30, pg2, BABY
12/01 - EmysBoo, 28, pg1, BOY
12/01 - cotswolder, 35, pg1, BABY
16/01 - Loudlass, 29, pg9 (4th dc), BOY
16/01 - Blanchedevereaux, 33, pg2 BABY
17/01 - mamasunshine, 27, pg3 GIRL
17/01 - kiwijesta, 30, pg1 GIRL
17/01 - travispickles, 32, pg1 GIRL
18/01 - careylouwho, 33, pg1 BABY
18/01 - pacita, 39, pg2 (1 DS) GIRL
18/01 - gallicgirl, 35, pg1 GIRL
19/01 - PenguinNZ, 32, pg2 (1DS) BOY
20/01 - feelinghip, 33, pg1 BABY
22/01 - Superparty, 37, pg6 BOY
20/01 - MammaK, 31, pg2 BABY
23/01 - DancingCat, 39, pg1 BOY
25/01 - LadyBuzz 30, pg3 GIRL

added to the list too!

have printed off the lists and feel a bit more in control as there isn't too much really. one thing at a time, I suppose.

really feel for those on crutches, must be so frustrating. i have had real pain walking for the last 5 weeks, but nothing major. have gone from being enormous for my stage to being about right for my stage, so no doubt another growth spurt is coming. people keep commenting on how low the bump is lying, I think she just hangs down (although I always wear a support sling).

I wish I wasn't working and away from home. I think I could really enjoy this time if I was able to take things a bit easier. We do put a lot of stress on ourselves, don't we? Working up to the last minute and dealing with other children as well.

Hope everyone has a great halloween - and I love bonfire night almost as much as christmas!

oh, I have question about child benefit. This is my first - can I claim it from January until the date when the new rules start? DH might have been made redundant by then anyway.

Re Child benefit - I thought that stopping CB for those in 40% wsn't coming in until 2013 so claim away. Child Tax credits are due to stop sooner, (April 2011???) but I'd try to claim them

Yes think its 2013 for the end of child benefit.

Sorry for those struggling with spd - I have been getting a lot of pubic aches in the last 2 weeks but better when I am moving around, which is most of the daytime hours!

I'm another with SPD - it's not a crutches situation yet but well I still have 10 weeks to go before D day. Hard work with a 2yo who wants to be picked up all the time.

Child benefit deffo does not get cut until 2013 so claim away!!

I still haven't bought anything. I should get going really. Am bored so might get my card out and go for it!

WalktheDog I've also just started antenatal classes. Ours are called Parent Education Classes and I also wasn't too impressed with it. We've got the Labour and birth class today and I've told DH that if this one isn't any good then I doubt I'll go to the other ones.

I had an NCT class. I basically signed up to meet some other mums in the area. The classes however are really only for first timers with one baby intending on a natural birth not a second timer with two babies having a c section like me!!

are CB suppose to be cut for everyone? i thought it was only for people that earn lot of money. dh and i are just earning above the minimum wage. does that apply to us?
getting a bit worried...

1st antenatal class this afternoon at our local surgery, looking forward to it.

If one person earn over £40,000 pa then they'll be cut (although madly if two people earn 39,000 each they won't)

Hello everyone and welcome and congrats to all new arrivals
Phew...that took a while to catch up Sorry this is going to be long! Hope all is good with everyone? I've been AWOL again...lots of problems, have been in and out of hospital with suspected preeclampsia (had it with ds1). Very poorly last week, but feeling a bit better now, and all test results have come back negative for now Also have too much amniotic fluid called polyhydramnios, and baby is larger than dates. Could be gestational diabetes or something else? Having very regular scans and consultant apps so hopefully either everything will settle or I'll have a clearer picture of what to expect Feeling very debilitated and have spent the last 7 days pretty much in my bed/hospital bed. So can't wait to be able to just 'get on with it'!

mummychicken - anymore thoughts on homebirth? I've put on 2 stone, 29 wks my tummy is HUGE and have a lot of fluid so hoping that's where it mainly is!
crumbelqueen - any names yet? I love Peter and Alexander too
littlehuman - Very sorry to hear about your cat hope she/he's comfortable? I used A LOT of plastic sheeting for my homebirth and I don't think ANY of it was touched with mess I did have my waters broken for me though so maybe that's why? I've always generally used cotton wool and water at home, wipes when out. This time I think I'm going to use re-useables though. Great news on MA , I've still got to fill in forms!
splodge77 - Have you moved yet? I moved house when I was 6 months pg with no 1 and never again! Good luck with it!

walkthedog - good news on diabetes front. Have you decided which cloth nappies you're going to use? Also how do you use the muslins? Just with newborn wraps over them?
spookberries - sorry to hear your little boy's being naughty! We chose a very popular name for ds1 and I've never regretted it as I LOVE it, hope that helps?
cotswolder - sorry to hear of your tough 12 months with the mcs, I hope this pg is going well?
sarrita - sorry about your dh's job, is there anything on the horizon?
berrycravings - I'm hoping to finish work during the 1st wk of Dec too...if I make it that far!
Hannah1890 - MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS on wedding!! How did it all go?
crystlline - I think generally speaking, normal MW app's are weeks after booking: 16, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38, 40 and 41.
superparty - {big waves} I just do not know how you do it!! [in awe of emoticon] Good news on diabetes test!
Macmomo - completely agree with mummychicken's list, also I wouldn't bother with a monitor unless huge house! Really feel for you being so far from home , when are you finishing?
amberc - our only twins I LOVE how open minded NCT are !!
Sarrita - nice to hear you had success with a hammock, I'm thinking of buying one this time.
postmodern - poor you on crutches, I get bits of SPD, so have had to stop walking far etc.

pacita - I'm another one really struggling with work and toddlers...is VVVV hard! on moses basket

Can I just say to those expecting dc2, IME having a newborn and toddler is FAR easier than being pg with toddler!

I actually never had chance to do a nursery/buy ANYTHING with ds1. I was admitted into hospital at 31 wks, and stayed there til I had him at 34 wks (due to P.E.T). My poor mum had to buy EVERYTHING from maternity pads/nursing bras to babygrows/car seat and pram! So I don't think it would hurt to be a little more organised than I was!! And for those of you with little cash, you really can get away with buying very little if you want

Off for a lie down after that !

mammasunshine noticed that you were awol. I knew you had your hands full - but these medical complications must be very tough.

Glad you are seemingly in the clear for the time being - hopefully you'll start to feel a bit better. There really is not long to go now - hopefully that is a comfort.

Hammocks are brilliant.

DH has had 5 interviews since he finished 2 weeks ago. He accepted a job today! Yippee. So we can all breath - he got his redundancy pay and will be back in work by next week. I am very proud of him.

Thanks for asking and good to see you back mammasunshine.