November 2011. Bumps, kicks and less feeling sick.

[Missyraines]

Thought I'd take the plunge and go for it.

pam glad you've not been in so much pain these last couple of days. I agree about how many slings there are out there. There are loads, and all pretty expensive.

tjuice i have literally just gone through this with ds, it was a nightmare. keep putting him back didn't work for us. The only thing that worked was putting a stairgate on his door, and then when he woke up just ignoring him. I'd put him to bed once to make sure he was ok, then just ignore. Each night the length of time he cried reduced until now he sleeps through again.

dirge thanks for that, that first clip was really helpful. I just wanted something that didn't seem to much of a nightmare to get on. we had a carrier thing from toys r us, i just found it so uncomfortable due to my size i didn't wear it dh did though. (the lad in that second clip was so sweet)

notjust do you remember what the reason was why you didn't get on with the ring sling?? I've watched a few clips on you tube and they seem quite simple to use. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any meetings near us, at least not on the slingmeet website.

It only cost us £11 so if i don't like it i don't mind buying something else. It's just a shame they don't seem to be any shops where you can go and try them on and decide what you like best, i know they have the groups...if you have one near by.

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is well, pam - fingers crossed things stay on the level and you get your holiday!

I havent even thought about slings etc, wasn't something that was such a big option when i had the other ones so may have to reinvestigate!

I have spent 2 days attached to the sofa. Started feeling a bit poorly on sat night and by Sunday- much worse. Have a permenant headache and cant walk up the stairs/round the house without having a fit of dizziness and black dots in front of my eyes and so on. Phoned in sick today and been to the docs who did the usual tests water/bp/feel of my belly. Bp is raised but has gone down since hospital last week, dr suggests some rest and to try and ring the mw to get into a clinic on weds if no improvement. OH has been lovely, made tea (it was in the oven but he dished up haha) refusing to let me do anything and running around making cups of tea etc. So glad I had been feeling sensible and had frozen some dinners in advance the other week!

Finally made it to the pc to have a catch up and will probably be returning to the settee to continue 'resting' very shortly.

If I cant get to the mw then I am to go back to the drs to check my bp unless I feel millions better. Heyho. Just pleased I have got a nice sensible dr!

Hope you feel better soon vodoomunkee and you are in less pain pamsco.

News not great here as doc given me more codeine as think I may be in pain for rest of the pregnancy. Feeling quite down and exhausted as haven't been sleeping well. Signed off work which has depressed me as would like to be doing normal things again but at least should be able to get lots of rest. Remaining pregnancy now feels like a long long time away.

Pma - dh being v supportive and taking care of me. Mum coming now for whole week not just long weekend.

Not felt baby yet but think pain may be masking movement.

Ahh consultant was off sick today. Totally gutted as I was really geared up to see her and be reassured... hoping to have a phone call tomorrow rearranging my check up with her - although it may be up to another 4 weeks now

Scan was lovely though - blood flowing just the way it should and everyone was very happy. Guess we'll stick with the asprin but obviously that will be decided by the consultant when I see her.

Very chilled out baby today - looked asleep with his hands behind his head! Proper laid back! (long may it continue after birth!!!)

Still thinking about how I can name change. What do people think of CazAbAx (as in Caz Anabelle and Alexander) or CazBX for their short intials?!

CazBellenXander?

So... early lactation? is this very common? Is it enough to need nursing pads - or what do most ladies do? Really don't want to be shocked by this at work and have it go through my shirt.

pam glad to hear you have found a few things to eat without pain but really sorry you have to put up with all this.

voodoo really hope you are feeling better soon.

cookie do they know what is causing your pain? Hope you feel better soon and that you can start doing 'normal' things again. Stay positive - almost half done!! (hopefully that doesn't make you want to throw something at me)

Caz I like CazBX best:)

Only 2 days until gender scan. Very excited to see baby again but this will be our last look until he/she is born. That feels like a loooong time...

cep The material just didn't feel sturdy or spread out as well as the pouch sling, it felt very fiddly comparatively and moved a lot more than either the pouch or the mei tai did. I know other people who loves theirs, I suspect mine wasn't very good quality.

goldmaple It's kinda common, but normally only a small drop or two. In my pregnancies, it's been only the occasional drop in the shower and a whitish patch around the nipple in the morning where a drop or two had dried on in the night. Unlikely to be nursing pad needed.

Caz When I first saw my eldest, he looked like he had his feet propped up and his hands behind his head (and in almost unison, my husband and I said 'Yeah, that ones like his Daddy').

pam glad you are managing to remain pain free, even though it does mean a restricted diet.

caz so happy that the scan went well, sorry that you weren't able to see teh consultant though.

cookie sorry to hear that you are also suffering with pain, I do hope that the analgesia helps

Cots - with DS I used a cotbed largely as was given it second hand from my auntie. My mum didn't store it very well though so when my sister set it up for her DS it fell apart!!! I found it helpful in that DS's room at the time was tiny and only just fitted in a single bed therefore the cotbed meant he could also have some toys in his room once he was in the bed. This time though we have been offered a second hand cot, in great condition, therefore will use a cot then straight into a normal single bed (as we already have one). With DS I did use a moses basket but he wouldn't sleep in it at night, at night he was always put to bed in the cot then often would co-sleep following feed - think this helped him once he no longer needed to feed as he was already used to going to sleep himself in the cot.

Slings - I used the "tomy - classic" baby carrier with DS, loved it as it was really comfy to wear but downside is only 2 positions - tummy facing or forward facing. When I had DS slings weren't widely available and those that I saw were really expensive. Now though I would love a sling but I too am unsure of what type/style would suit. I know that I do not get on with the "ring-sling" as my sis has one and I've carried my nephew in it a few times at various ages and in various positions - I found however I put it on (following instructions) the rings always sat uncomfortably on my shoulder and the uneven weight distribution meant I couldn't carry for as long as I did with DS in the carrier. I will now have a look at the links posted above!!!

Caz I say pick the longest and most explicit username as we'll all end up shortening it to Caz as we have been doing anyway!

All good in the hood here. Who recommended the TLee pregnancy yoga DVD? I did it tonight and the time flew by. Was great to dust off my old yoga mat. Knew there was a reason why I've trailed it from house to house over almost the past decade!

Voo sorry you've been feeling so ill. Don't feel too bad about being signed off, just embrace it.

Sorry, meant to say cookie embrace being signed off!

You've all got me trailing through the argos/tescodirect/mothercare catalougue getting confused at all the different types of slings and cots. No idea of the difference between a cot and a cot bed???

Not even going to think about the pram situation yet!

So confusing!

Hope everyone and their bumps are well!

Morning all,

Not had much to say over the last couple of weeks, hence my silence, but hope everyone is feeling a bit better and that your pain starts to be managable if nothing else pam and cookie.

I had a conversation with my boss yesterday about when I thought I might be starting on maternity leave and as I was feeling pretty alright yesterday morning said that I would try to work up to the week before my due date, of course then I got horrible heartburn and my stomach started aching yesterday afternoon, so hope that I have done the right thing, I think he will be okay about me going off earlier if I need to, but I dont want to finish early and then sit around for weeks waiting for the bump to emerge!!!

Staceroo, a cot bed is bigger than a cot and the sides are removable so that you can use it as a bed and with some a sofa type thing when the wee one is bigger. Our baby's room is big enough that we can manage to have a cot bed but if you are a bit short on space, or you hope to have another baby fairly soon after this one it might be better to have a cot and then a single bed for the older one. A bedside cot is smaller and one side of it will drop down or remove in some other way so that you can place it next to your bed and then the baby can be sleeping right next to you without co-sleeping and then when you need to feed etc they are just there.

Hope everyone has a good day :)

My word i am grateful that this time around my confusing and shockingly expensive shopping will be restricted to slings, double buggies and osme kind of sleeping platform.
Rough day at work yestereday. Exhausting child (came accross the lovely line 'like being mugged by cupid' in a very good, though both horrofying and empowering article in the times yesterday called 'a bad birth'. If you're brave enough you should read it, but only i you read to the end, for god's sake dont just read the first section! I cried several different types of tears) and do NOT feel like rolling up for another long day today. On the plus side, i couldnt have handles that day a few weeks ago, so i must be getting a bit better. Wish these damn headaches would stop. Right. Clothes. Lunch. Childminder. Work. Here i go.....
Ok, no HERE i go...

voodoo - i woke up with the same thing today - pounding head, dizzy, veering into walls. Bit worried about travelling to Hamburg tomorrow but more worried about to NY on Sat. Have made a doctor's appt for this morning to just check up and see. Hopefully its just lack of sleep.

Talking of which, thanks for the tip cep. Maybe I am being dunce, but I don't know how we could get fix a gate to her room with the really old-fashioned wooden door but I will send DH to Ikea to check it out. Last night was a bit better - we did the whole taking her back to bed thing in silence, but still waking up at 4.30 is doing my head in.

re. slings - I had a couple of really simple ones by slinglings which were fine. Then I got a little backpack thing when DD was about 1, which helped me a lot when flying with her on my own. All that walking around airports with no stroller is a nightmare. She would just be up there, getting a lot of attention and playing with my hair ;)

Hello all. Having a shitty week (DP, famiiles, hormones etc won't bore you) but we're off on our hols for 2 weeks on Saturday yay!

Sorry not to name check but hope everyone feeling OK and everyone's scans, test, results are all brilliant! We get back on 4 July and have our 20wk scan 2 days later!

I should add my bit about beds:
We have a moses basket for first few weeks. Very portable. DD stayed with us wherever we were for the first 4 months as she had colic (oh dear god, please not again......) and there was no point in 'putting her to bed', although we had a good routine of bath, bottle and bed but the bed just came back downstairs with us.
She then went into a cheapo IKEA cot that fitted beside our bed until she was 7 months old, then went into her own room into a cotbed. She stayed in the full cot version until last summer when she was about 19m old and then we converted it into a bed and she's been in that ever since.
The plan is to put her into a full-sized single bed by Sept and then use the basket, cot and cotbed (convert bed back to cot) for the new baby. The cotbed should fit em till about 6 yrs old.

Slings - I will need a good, comfy wraptype sling. I used a wilkinet with DD but found it hard to get on and off, so am looking for good recommendations. I am a large lady, so need a stretchy one that I can wear over clothes and just pop baby in and out.
Help? Names, brands?

Voo and Teejuice - I hope you feel better soon.

20 week scan all over with no issues this time. It's a boy, saw the willy!! No idea of names for boys, got 20 weeks to think of one. Relieved to get it over with to be honest and know it all seems OK.

Got to watch my placenta this time as it is massive, anterior and low. But to be honest seemed minor compared to last time so I can chill out a bit more.

I hope everyone has a good day.

Hi everyone,

Voo and Tjuice I'm hoping you're feeling better :)

I am feeling great today - finally getting that 2nd trimester glow thing. Also feeling super organised and have made a list of essentials...at least I think so. This is my first baby and I am the youngest in my family (no baby experince), so any help or comments would be amazing!

Here's my list;

Baby sling
Bath support
Bedding incl. sleeping bag
Bottle steriliser
Bottles and teats
Bouncy chair
Breast pump
Car seat
Changing table
Clothes
Cot
Dummy
Grooming kit
Lightweight changing mat
Monitor
Moses basket
Muslins
Nappies
Nappy rash cream
Nappy sacks
Nightlight
Play mat
Pram
Small changing wallet
Storage
Toiletries

Tried to keep it to bare minimum as I don't have a lot of cash or a big house.

Does anyone have any tips?

Hope you all feel great now or very soon :)

Oh! Meant to say as well, have a fantastic holiday MrsArchchancellorRidcully

Totally jealous!

Congrats Katie on good scan news. Another boy! My scan is on Thurs so counting the days/hours now

Ziggi - A few comments - these are just in my experience! I've copied the items I think are not necessary to buy before baby is born:

Baby sling - I didn't use mine immediately and then couldn't get on with it. Mainly because I had v bad backache from labour and didn't want to carry DD around as it was so hot (born in May).
Bath support - I just bought a baby bath which we put in the bath. Stopped using it when DD grew too big for it.
Bedding incl. sleeping bag - I had sheets and blankets which I tucked around DD when she was in the moses. Sleeping bags shouldn't be used until over a certain weight (will have to check this). Best and cheapest I found were from Tesco.
Bouncy chair - didn't use until 3 months old so could wait for bargains.
Dummy - didn't need to use one. Lots of these in Boots though so can buy one if you need it.
Grooming kit - only got clippers for nails as DD had no hair!
Nightlight - didn't need one. Have a touch light in our room and just main light in the nursery.
Play mat - didn't use gym until 2 months old (I think).
Small changing wallet - got this with our pram (Silvercross 3D with changing bag and change mat)

Hope this is helpful.

Ziggi - dummies can be 1) useless and 2) each baby will like a different one. DD wouldn't sleep without her Daddy's little finger to suck on, it got sore and no other hand/finger would do so we bought expensive orthodontic (sp?) dummies. Spat out. Big fat cherry soothers recommended by another new Mum worked a treat. Dummy (then orthodontic ones) removed at 6 months, no problems thank goodness.

Re the baby carrier my Baby Bjorn was not good for a new born (little new born too) so a sling might work better. I couldn't use them but my friends did.

We bought a vibrating chair and swing only after DD developed colic at 4/6 weeks - worked a treat for DD but not for our friends little one so it's trial and error. Beg, borrow anything you can.

voodoo sorry to hear you're feeling rubbish. Have you had your iron levels tested? I started fainting and was eventually tested and found to have a haemoglobin levels of 10 (should be 13 min I think they said). Glad your DH is looking after you

cookie sorry you're still feeling sore and down. Great news that your mum is coming for a long visit. Do you have any hobbies to fill your weeks until baby arrives?

MrsA try and get to a sling meet to try on a few - you're near-ish to me I think? There are definately SM in the NW.

I agree with Katie Baby Bjorn not great for a newborn but actually they way they carry babies isn't great full stop. Look at picks of them, they let the baby's legs dangle straight down from the crotch, puts all the weight on one spot (ouch) and is bad for their hips. I am amazed it sells so well but we bought one when DD was born. It also got unbearable to carry her after about 3 months because the straps killed my shoulders.

There are 3/4 main types of slings:

Wrap - stretchy or woven. Stretchy only really good upto 6 months (usually less though) because baby's weight makes it hard to carry in the stretchy fabric. Woven has a better shelf life and is versatile but it can be intimidating to tie it. I am getting a woven wrap and going for this one I think

Pouch - I have this one or ringsling - can be used from newborn. I find one shoulder carriers a bit painful, pouch was handy for quick trips around supermarket with a toddler/getting on and off a train etc.

Soft Structured Carrier - Like Beco Butterfly (I have and love), or Ergo (v popular, great reviews) or even a mei tei. Beco & Ergo can be used from newborn although I would be reluctant to, nbs are a bit floppy for buckles and straps I think.

HTH, I wouldn't be without a sling now.

On the list of things to buy, I found people wanted to buy us gifts like bouncers, baby gyms etc so I won't be bothering with anything like that this time. DD also didn't use anything like that for months.

My esentials are:

BF bras
breastpads (I'm a leaker)
co-sleeper cot
baby all in ones/vests/hat and snow suit type thing.
Few more cloth nappies.
Reusable wipes.
car seat
cellular blankets
Neobulle wrap (sling)

Baby bath - we have one but actually ended up using the bathroom sink or having baby in with us.

Have I missed anything major? Probably.

Ok, starving now and have probably missed about 10 posts typing out this huge thing. Off for lunch and a nap.

hello all, BT have mriaculously cancelled my broadband 10 days early (genius) so have only skim read - have seen some lovely messages re wedding though, THANK YOU all ....

Just wanted to let you all know that 20 week scan was this morning, and for the first time in this pregnancy i was on the bed hearing good news

She's all fine, measuring small, with an exceptionally small bottom (SO not her mothers daughter) but kicking me like a good 'un - even DP said 'can you feel that?!' (yes honey, thats what ive been saying for the last 3 weeks - d'oh)

So with a bit of luck, baby fine, wedding good, house move easy and only 3 weeks till hols - happy happy days

pamsco i just wanted to say that i keep thinking of you and sending you all the good vibes i can muster

As a 4th timer, my essential list would be nappies, wipes, baby gowns (makes nappy changes easier, in my opinions, free leg access!), sleeping bags, all-in-one coat, slings, and a giant wrap around breastfeeding pillow. And a small backpack for taking things out in (With extra of half the above in it). After a couple months, add rocking chair and swaddling blankets for nap times. (Note that I don't drive, which is why no car seat, and we co-sleep, cause I'm lazy and have painful hips post-birthing).

Also hats - my husband was told off for not having a hat ready when my last one was born. She was born in August during a heat wave. He now plans to have lots of fun festive hats ready.

Today I had my 16/17 week appointment. Went through all my blood and urine results, all were good and my iron and iron store levels are very high (which shocked the midwife as she was there in my last pregnancy when I had anaemia and struggled to get about 8.5) so we did a victory dance. Blood pressure was good and we got to hear the baby's heartbeat (though it was mostly drowned out by mine, my heart is loud apparently).

My almost 2 year old who sat next to me on the table-bed thingy was wide-eyed staring at my tummy making funny noises and cuddled it afterwards - as is her favourite thing to do now.

zigg ebay is good, as long as you're not looking at safety things such as car seats, ebay can be a really good way to make savings.

tjuice ours is on the outside of the bar bit, door closes on the inside bit. (i sound so technical...sorry) isn't screwed in, is just kept in by pressure. i won't say it was easy, it was awful leaving him crying especially when he started saying "mummy, my mummy, mummy come here, mummy come here please." my heart broke ever time, but i just had to ignore him.

lktoday so pleased for a great scan. good luck for the wedding.

not just yay for good 16 wk appt.