August 2011 - 2nd trimester blooming - not us!

[KTisPG]

New thread for us August 11 ladies

Oh, sorry, I meant to say this in last post, glad your scan went well Annie :)

Glad your scan was a good one Annie. We are also convinced it's a boy :)

I have a couple of questions: it's just dawned on me that we didn't really see the baby moving on its own at the scan on Monday, just when she bounced the amniotic fluid. He certainly wasn't waving at us or anything. Was he just asleep? Or just a lazy-arse like his dad?!

Also - I need to start making a list of what we need to get for when he arrives. I like lists :) what do I absolutely definitely need, what did you find useful with yours and what's just expensive tat that Mothercare try to sell you and is entirely unnecessary? Just want to start buying/borrowing stuff gradually over the next 6 months. If it makes any difference, I'm set on a homebirth and breast feeding (although I'm no fascist about these things at all and will do whatever I need to and whatever feels right for me).

DH and I had a moment yesterday - looked at each other and both said "we're due 6 months today!" - queue panicked breathing and scared eyes!

Glad the scan went well Annie. I'm another in the 'thinking it's a boy' camp.

Scan on Monday! we've been keeping it secret from everyone except close family. If all is well, it'll be nice to tell everyone finally.

Wow Mrs S Your scan picture is so incredibly special! /wiping away a little tear/

So glad your scan went well Annie. Its great seeing your baby for the first time, isn't it?

It is completely normal for them not to move much at all & he probably was sleeping Jenni. I have a lazy one like that too this time

Good luck for your scan on Monday Mrs C.

Well, I had a consultant appointment this week (due to complications at 1st birth) & glad to report back that there are no real concerns. At least I know what to expect if things do go wrong again.

I was supposed to have a MW appointment this week (at 15 weeks) but she's fully booked for the next three weeks so I won't get to see her until I'm 18 weeks. Boo! Talk about feeling abandoned! :)

So instead of seeing my MW, I'm seeing the nurse to take yet more bloods - this time to see if I have immunity against slapped cheek disease. Its been going around at DD2's preschool where I volunteer some days and I have been worrying myself silly about it. I'm so glad they've offered me a blood test as I don't think I can wait until 20 week scan to find out if we've caught it or not. Has anyone else had any experience with slapped cheek? I asked my consultant while I was there, but he was not exactly forthcoming.

Right, back to nursing my cold :( ....

Regarding essentials I loved my bucket type bath, washable breast pads, baby gym, sock ons. I would buy a decent digital thermometer, we are doing this time as it puts your mind at rest, vests, grow bags,'sleep suits, 3 lots of bedding, nipple cream, hot milk bra, nice breast feeding pjs- 3 pairs, a good book for while your feeding, a good DVD box set for when your over due, birthing ball to sit on when the baby drops, baby door bouncer. Oh and lots of premade frozen meals. A

I'm another lover of lists & this was my list of things to get (obviously not all essential):

BABY SHOPPING LIST

CLOTHES
Bibs
6 front-fastening cotton sleep suits/or all-in-ones
2 pairs scratchmits (if your sleep suits doesn?t have any ?built in?)
6 to 10 cotton baby vests with poppers (long and short-sleeved)
a couple of cotton hats
2 cotton cardigans
4 pairs of socks
2 pairs of booties
At least one wide-brimmed hat to protect your baby from the sun during outings
A warm suit, hat and mittens for going out in cold weather

SLEEPING
cot
Crib / moses basket (crib would last much longer, they grow out of moses baskets very quickly & you can delay buying a cot until later if you get a crib)
new baby mattress
3 cotton cellular blankets (not fluffy - the ones with the holes in)
4 top / flat cotton sheets
4 fitted mattress sheets for your cot or moses basket (be sure they fit tightly round the mattress)
A couple of pram-sized blankets
Cotton sleeping bag (grobag)

BATHING
baby bath or large plastic bowl or newborn bath support (or even just the sink)
Pair of baby nail scissors/clippers
Nasal aspirator
Baby Hairbrush
Medicine dropper (most medicines comes with one)
Thermometer (worth getting a good one)
2 soft sponges (one for face, one for body)
2 or 3 soft, baby-size bath towels
2-3 baby washcloths
Aquaous cream
Sudocrem
Vaseline
(You don't need any baby toiletries - most dry their sensitive skin out,. just water & small drop of olive oil is good enough)

CHANGING
Newborn disposables/reusables
Nappy bucket with lid
Nappy sacks
Nappy stacker / changing box
Nappy cream (sudocrem/vaseline)
Changing mat & cover
Cotton wool
baby wipes
Tissues

BREASTFEEDING
nursing bras
Breast pads (disposable/reusable)
Breast pump & accessories
Feeding pillow
breast milk storage
Bottle & teat
Sterilizing bags/sterilizer
Lansinoh lanolin nipple cream (a godsend & a MUST-HAVE)
Gel nursing pads
Cabbage leaves!

EQUIPMENT (apart from the car seat, nothing is essential)
Baby car seat
Pram / newborn buggy
Baby sling / carrier
Baby monitor

Bouncy / cradle chair

Travel cot

OTHER ITEMS
Changing bag with portable mat
2 packs of muslin squares (A MUST for EVERYTHING)
Raspberry leaf tea tablets/tea

LABOUR BAG
Pregnancy notes & birth plan
For Baby
Couple of baby grows & baby vests
Shawl / blanket
Scratch mits
Socks
Hat
Cotton wool for cleaning baby
Car seat
nappies
For mum:
2-3 front open night dresses
Socks
Dressing gown and slippers
Nursing bras & comfy knickers
Breast pads
Disposable knickers/maternity underwear
around 6 packs MATERNITY sanitary towels
Couple of dark towels
Soft flannel
Antibacterial wipes for the toilets/bath/shower at hospital

Arnica tablets
Toilet bag with toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, shampoo, soap, hairbrush etc
Lip balm
Music
Something to drink
snacks (for you & birth partner)
Magazines
Writing paper & pen
mobile
Camera (make sure battery is charged)
Pain killers
Comfy clothes for going home (this will still be maternity clothes :) )
Loo roll
Jug for watering down the fist wee

AT HOME
Stocked cupboards & freezer
Bottle of bubbly in fridge at home

lavender oil and/or epsom salts (use in the bath - numbs & aids healing)

witch hazel (sprinkle few drops on maternity towel)

No doubt there'll be bits I've missed out :)
Hope this helps.

On the really not needed list are of course all those cute but actually quite awkward to put on outfits which people think are so cute but end up using vests and all-in-ones constantly instead!
Oh do buy lots of muslins - you won't believe how many you need!

Great place for maternity/nursing bras

This list is amazing Littlemiss! Just showed DH, who also lllooovvveeess his lists and he's immediately said 'quick print it off'! He's now a happy man. This is brilliant as we always fall out about my lack of organisation and his an*l planning! Thanks for leading by example.

Also, just looked at your bra link and realised it might be possible to buy a maternity bra which doubles as a nursing bra, when they're closer to full size, which would in theory save pennies, as I think there are going to be a lot of bra purchases over the next 6 months! I'm going to add it to my favourites. Thanks again littlemiss!

Great list littlemiss! and thanks for the congrats - you'll all be having your second scans soon!

Just wondered when people are going to start buying baby things? DH feels strange buying lots of stuff now as he thinks it would be horrible to have it all at home if something went wrong...I'm just excited and want to buy it all now!

I've just sent DH out to exchange his sports car for something more sensible! he'll probably just test drive a few and take me to 'approve' it tomorrow but I secretly hope he just deals with it all and comes back with a big car!

Goodness Littlemiss, that is a comprehensive list!

There were plenty of things that I found essential, but equally, there were plenty of things that appear on essentials lists that I didn't use or used and hated.

So here is my list, designed to appeal to virtually everyone :)

Something to transport the baby both walking and in the car - i.e. car seat (if you have a car) and sling/pushchair
Something for baby to sleep in - Moses basket/cot/carrycot + bedding (sheets and something for over the top, either blankets or sleeping bag)
Something to dress baby in - Depends on you and what you like, but basics for me would be sleepsuits/bodysuits(also known as vests)/cardigans/a blanket or two/a hat. Remember people love giving clothes/blankets as gifts, so you'll probably end up with loads anyway :) You can probably wait on the warm outdoor wear until after the birth (unless you're due at the end of August!) as it will probably still be warm enough before then and you don't know what size they'll need (e.g. DS was in 3-6 month clothes by 6 weeks, so if he had been summer born and we had got a 0-3 month coat, it would have been useless!).
A digital ear thermometer, this is quite easily the best thing we've bought and has been incredibly useful/reassuring.
If breastfeeding, I would heartily recommend lansinoh ointment for nipples, I am sure this is the reason bfing worked out for me as sore nipples were horrendous and did make me think of giving up many times.

Anything else you can get after the birth as and when you think 'ooo, I think that would be useful!' :)

i love these lists! this is my 3rd baby and the other two were winter babies, this one is due 20th Aug so if its still really warm i suppose its going to be a bit different,re clothing and bedding.
I have used moses baskets for my other dc's but have always liked the swinging cribs so were thinking of getting one this time as it works out better for us so i dont have to rush ds out of his cot/cotbed. but im a bit worried about the bars and when babys wave thier arms about will the baby not hit the bars and get hurt? I have always swaddled my babies for sleep but if its warm will i still be able to do this? just with a thin sheet? im getting all worried and confused!!hormones going crazy, even started crying at clearing out loads of junk this morn!

basically im asking in a rambled way has anyone else used a crib how did you find it?
thanks x

I understand where your DH is coming from Annie, as I feel a lot like that myself. However we have already been given a ton of stuff by some friends whose big clear out of things their children have out-grown coincided with our announcement. As a result my house currently contains a buggy, play mat activity thingy, bouncy chair, travel cot, huge box of toys and various other stuff. Which, while it's fantastic and will save us quite a lot of money, is also rather scary. I don't think I'm going to start shopping just yet... but if we get offered more hand-me-downs the practical side of me won't be able to say no, even if the worrying part is thinking 'but what if...'.

Have finally told everyone at work in our staff meeting yesterday. I was immediately give a chorus of 'we thought so'! So much for thinking it was a secret. Apparently I've looked so rough for so long that most of them figured I was either pregnant or seriously ill!!! It's nice to finally be out though and to enjoy everyone else's excitement as well as our own. Now looking forward to a relaxing half-term, think I could happily sleep though most of the week.

Thank you for the list, littlemiss! Saving that to look at properly later. I also nabbed the link for bras, seeing as I'm having trouble staying sane with the idea of uncomfortable bras, let alone wearing one.

Is anyone excited for their 20 week scan? I am behaving similar to an excited schoolgirl about it I think, I look forward to knowing the gender so I can finally start buying things!

Also - I need to ask for some advice regarding moving house?
Me and DP need to move into a bigger place, when is the latest in the pregnancy you would leave it if you had to? I won't be helping with the lifting, but the packing away and sorting stuff out I'll be attending to.
Me and DP are in a bit of a tricky financial spot at the moment so will a bit to save up, although family are badgering me to move out as soon as possible.

Wow, your list is great littlemiss, I am defo one for lists! Made one as soon as we found out we were expecting!! I think it makes it more exciting.
I will copy and save yours, just in case I have missed anything off.

Well, I weighed myself this morning, and considering I haven't eaten an evening meal for 2 nights this week, I have somehow put on 3lbs!!! So the weight gain has finally started......

I got my 20 week scan date through this morning for the 22nd March, I can't wait to see little one again. Have my AN appointment this coming Thursday so fingers crossed we get to hear the heartbeat.

With regards the guessing sex club, DH and I are convinced we're having a girl Don't know why, both just have a 'feeling' We don't have a preference as one will bring us as much joy as each other. Told DH last night that I want him to tell me the sex when he/she arrives, not the MW. Think that would be more special :)

Re buying baby things Annie, I started as soon as I had my 12 week scan!! Bought loads of stuff online with George/Asda as great value and I bought enough for baby for the first 6 weeks for £40!! And if it's too small if I have a bigger baby, I bought newborn and 0-3 months stuff just in case, but it's that cheap (£3ish for 3 white sleepsuits) it doesn't matter :)

Placed an order with Mamas and Papas last Tuesday, and my order has still not arrived, even though they state 2 working days delivery. Not that impressed with them, and I have sent the an email telling them so!! Not very good considering it was my first order with them!

Can I give a bit of advice regarding baby shopping?

• mothercare and mamas and papas are massively over priced, it's worth going there to try out prams etc then buy from kiddiecare or a local retailer.
• halfords is good for car seats and will save you lots of cash.
• ikea is excellent value and just as good for furniture
• baby shops are dead early evening midweek and carnage on the weekend
• baby sizes vary massively from shop to shop. Gap is tiny, next and m n s are good for petite ( my dd is 25 centile and we shop there), matalan is average while tesco and asda are massive. For example dd is wearing age 12-18 months jeans from tesco ( she is 19 months) and they literally fall down.
• also it sounds patronising but try to get people to remember the season of clothes and the age your child will be.
• footless things last way longer
• plus baby poo if breast fed stains yellow so lots of White is not good
• bedding sets are really cheap from matalan too

Oh and I had a baby shower and it saved me a lot of wasted time and money. By having presents before I could take back and not have any double purchases

yukana we will possibly be moving in july, would like to move earlier but thats when our contract ends so if it'll cost us to break it early we wont be able to go till july. not ideal but if you have to move @ a late stage i think it would be fine. although if you have a choice personally would go for sooner than later to give time to sort everything out rather than last minute rush.

ill probably start to do some baby shopping after 20 weeks scan if its a girl, if a boy i hardly need anything really, just would like to get a new moses basket and im sure i'll think of a few more things but seems like for a boy we already have everything, so in that case would probably just leave it really last minute to buy if we were not moving until july.

That list is fantastic - will save me hunting out all the ones I did last time! Thanks for sharing. If I come across mine and think of anything to add, I will do, but think that covers everything! Second the lots of muslins recommendation - we were constantly buying more as we had no idea how many we'd get through until DD arrived!!

DP is desperate to buy things but I'm not as excited at the moment. Not sure why but I still can't get excited about this really, just too bogged down by the reality of it all.

Also don't want to go out and buy loads of things that won't fit either - did this last time and the week before DD came we discovered she was small. She was just over 5lbs when she arrived and even the tiny baby clothes swamped her. She's still in 12-18m even though she's 2 in a month! And the MW telling me I was tiny has brought it all flooding back so I'm convinced it's going to happen again.

Anyone looked at baby monitors? We're trying to decide on a new one as the one we've got at the moment is very basic and probably won't be any good for a newborn - although works fine with a 2 yo that never sleeps (hence being on here and not watching a lovely film like we'd stupidly hoped to

yukana We'll be moving late June/early July. I am planning to do most of the packing in the evenings when DS is in bed and DH is home to grunt and lift (the boxes, not me )

I'm not buying anything until we know the gender as if it's a boy we need nearly nothing except for dinky nappies, whereas if it's a girl I'll be able to treat myself to some pink things!
My M-I-L is poised, crochet needle in hand, to knit some pink blankets if it's her first Grandaughter!! :)

Got scan date through yesterday for the 22nd March, woohoo!!! Can't wait, but seems an age away. Roll on Thursday for our 16 week appt.

Lol with the crochet Leilandri. My Mum has already knitted a beautiful white pram blanket, and put a cushioned back on it (can't remember the terminology), a light green outfit, a turquoise outfit, a white outfit and a lemon outfit (outfit is cardi, booties, scratch mitts and hat for boy AND girl as apparently they are different!)
She started the day after we told them (30/Dec) I was pregnant!
Baby will have a full wardrobe by the time he/she is here!

Hello everyone, please talk some sense into me, I've had spotting today for the first time and am panicking . I think its probably nothing (just a little when wiping this afternoon and no more since, sorry if TMI), but I've just started planning what I need (14+1) so am really scared.

Annie456 - what did he bring home?

In general, can anyone recommend a car that takes three car seats across the back seat and doesn't look like it used to be a bus?

KLou, love your Mum - mine used to do that but her hands aren't the best any more.

KTisPG - wait until tomorrow and try to sleep calmly. If there is any more or you're too stressed call your midwife but doesn't sound bad and happens a lot.

KT i hope everything is okay
atleast it wasn't too much so hopefully nothing? i would just phone midwife and see what they say tomorrow

KLou aww how sweet of your mum making all those things