We're now halfway and it's PMA all the way - Nov 2011

[cep]

Halfway there now ladies. on the countdown.

If you have a nice roomy handbag Cali you could just buy a foldy changing mat and use that instead. I love my changing bag though, it seems to be just the right depth. My roomy handbags are too deep!

Changing station - we only had one as my back was knackered and DD was great on it until about 1yr old. That said even one with rails you can't leave them for a second. My sis didn't have one for DS1 but was desparate for one for DS2 due to back issues too. A lot of my friends with no back problems managed fine without one.

Hats - now my DD had a massive noggin but all the hats were too big except newborn. 0 -3 months ones drowned her (looked funny but not great for DD)!

I love our temperature egg, so easy to see if there is a problem. Our monitor also bleeps if the temp falls/rises too much. Clothing - how much depends on 1) how sicky baby is 2) how they poo, I kid you not, each baby is different and 3) how often you want to run the poor washing machine. Bless ours tried to join a union to complain about changes in working conditions once DD came along.

I also found I needed more basic clothes too. I raided M&S and Peacocks for basic tops and trousers. I was getting through them like water in the first few months and my "in the week working clothes" didn't exactly work with a tiny baby (lovely soft casmere jumpers, silk blouses oh - I never wear them now unless travelling!)

My mother is making me a nursing bag - who am I to say no! ;)

I think on the clothes front it's a "bare minimum" of body suit and bottoms - I think first time mothers get given a lot more than that, and women with previous children know how much their washing machine needed.
Although I'm trying to be strict on the clothes front. They grow so fast, and I've lived with a baby clothes hoarder - it was not a pretty sight!

cep By body I mean this:
Bodysuits

The list was compiled by a Swedish paediatric nurse - so it's made for colder weather - I suppose Northern English rain and wind can be just as bad!

I don't understand? The VW branded vest, flying helmet and bib covered in abstract campervans and beetles isn't on the list? That can't be right. These are the only things I've bought surely they are top drawer essentials?

Seriously, just been offered a 2nd hand bugaboo chameleon travel system so I bit her hand off :) That will save me a pretty penny. I'll use that pretty penny for the other ridiculously expensive sleepsuits which will last a month I want to buy.

Oh PamSco stoke of luck!!!

Cali you will receive loads of stuff I agree but I admit I forgot

I know! I was horrified that my "hat with monkey ears" wasn't an essential!
What kind of baby doesn't have a "Cowboys and Indians" bodysuit? Really?

My Baby Loot so far

Keep the lists coming....I need all the help I can get!!! Have just started compiling a list of where I'm going to get what from (quiet day at work!). Soooo many cute tiny clothes, totally unpractical and stupidly expensive given they'll only probably get used for a week!!! Still got to have some (little!) treats, and I'm sure DH will rein me in when he sees the list!
Cali - love love love the hat!

Bloodthirsty awful afternoon. Decided to try to walk to end of the road. This is the furthest I have walked in 6 weeks. Made it but feeling sore then discovered that the chubb lock wouldn't work. Fortunately found neighbour who very kindly tried oil and pliers then let me use their phone to call locksmiths. One hour later and forty pounds lighter finally back in house. Having tea in bed.

Had no idea baby should wear vest and babygro. Must read more before baby arrives !

Bloody Nora.

Had our scan today and we are team........yellow. The little bugger had it's legs crossed so she couldn't tell and she is a an experienced sonographer. She did say, it may be a girl but said I'm not saying for definite. So team yellow, so I'll be looking for yellow sleepsuits too. Same as you Juststarting. DP was dissapointed but at least he can't slip up and tell anyone now. I wanted to keep schtum and keep it between us too. Still very happy though as all ok. I've just looked at the sheet but I can't make head nor tail of measurements, no dea what is average or not.

Went shopping with Mum today and am now interested in the Mutsy Rider travel system and Stokke cotbed (my that it gorgeous). Mum wants to but travel system and brother wants to buy cot, so we'll see. Ha ha. Id didtell him that I can get a cotbed for under £200 but he always insists on the getting the best. I love my family!

BTW felt massive kicks/punches last night whilst trying to get off to sleep, even made my hand move. It must have been excited about the scan! TBH it turned my stomach the first time I felt it then it just made me giggle. 38 years old and I've gone all gushy.

Hope everyones day is ok and for thosewho are suffering through illness, I hope you get better soon. xx

cookie First time I'd heard that too - won't the baby get horribly warm?

I love a list :)

I wouldn't bother with a changing table unless you really struggle with back - we have used a change mat on bathroom floor for both of ours (DH hasn't minded either) as you can't roll off it, you can run away for extra hwatever it is you've forgotten knowing there safe and when there is a poo or wee explosion (even the pick ones can wee all over the mat and then it runs off everywhere) much better to be in a wipe clean environment!

Wouldn't bother with a baby bath either - big lump of plastic cluttering the place up - I much preferred a bath seat as your hands were then free to do the washing

I would 2nd the having some formula and bottles in (I like aptamil and tommee tippee bottles) just in case - also pick up some sterile bits and bobs from the expressing room when you're in hospital eg little cups and syringes. When I was BF we had occasions where it didn't quite work out and DD would get herself in such a state she couldn't latch on - I would express a tiny amount into this sort of kit and give her a bit of milk via a syringe or sterile spoon or cup and then she would calm down enough to latch on

Have never used baby oil (there is a v dusty bottle that has lived in my cupboard for about 4 years now) - my LOs are prone to dry skin so I never used 'products' on them - just water and a little bit of olive oil for cradle cap

I had a supply of ikea flannels for DS as a handy washable item to throw over his bits on opening the nappy so I didn't get wee in the eye!

Also agree re thermometer - I had one shaped like a daisy which you could use in the nursery or to check bath water temp.

On clothes - I would def recommend a bit more than that - both mine were quite capable of getting through 3 outfits in a day. Also you don't know what size baby you're going to get. Most stuff I was given tended to be 3-6 months for some reason. My trick was to buy a couple of sizes and some extra spares but keep in packaging with receipt sp you can return anything not needed - but then I didn't mind mine going straight into stuff from the shop whereas a lot of people prefer to wash first. I was caught out with DS being very small so for DD I had stuff for up to 7lb (Next is good for this) and up to 10lb just in case in my bag. Hospital will insist on a hat of some sort (cotton pref) for a newborn. Mine lived in short sleeve bodysuits/ vests with a sleepsuit (long sleeves, legs and feet) on top for first couple of months

loving the monkey - where from?

The baby bath is probably on the list because in Sweden most houses/flats don't have a bath! Or carpets! And triple glazing!
Having said that, we got one yesterday because our bath and shower is really awkward, and I prefer to be able to move the bath to my height.
Equally, our tiny bathroom wouldn't allow for on the floor nursing!

Although, I'm not planning on a nursing table - we have a wall cupboard in the nursery big enough to house a full nursing set up! (Will post pics at some point), and when downstairs I'll probably use my lap more than anything...

The monkey set is from H&M - I like their styling on baby clothes a lot!
I agree with my mother that baby clothes should be practical, cotton and cheap - but H&M do stylish, cotton and cheap!

Also, on formula - I can't bring myself to look at it yet. It's probably the nastiest thing I know in existence, but under no illusions of not having to use it. I just need to find the least evil one out there.

they're a bit rubbish at keeping themselves warm to begin with as that takes a lot of energy - that said you don't want to overheat them either but in Nov body and sleepsuit would be about right.

Just posting potential first outfit on FB page....

Cali and everyone really - one of the most upsetting things for me about DS going into NICU (he wasn't absorbing food and was just bringing it back) and my body couldn't keep up with their attempts to get something into him so at about 5 in the morning I had to choose a formula for him based on never having even looked at 1 - they just chose one at random out of the hospital supplies. Prem babies in NICU were on pre-aptamil so I chose aptamil which is for term babies. So just spend a few mins thinking which you'd shoose if you had your arm twisted and hopefully you woin't be asked!

Never RE the stokke cotbed. I posted a few pages back saying I couldn't decide if I loved it or not. Still undecided. Mothercare have a sale on those atm. The only thing is the shape. It won't fit as neatly into a corner.

Missy but it is lovely isn't it . Found the package for £549. I like it as we are having the nursery in the box room so I'll be able to fit a glider chair in when the cot is small. Love that it is on wheels so it can be wheeled into own room from ours without totally changing surroundings. Trust me, I am the LAST person pay out lots of money or for anything gimmicky but saw this in a shop today and it looks great. Will have to leave the curtain till we know if team blue or pink. lol

Also you don't have to buy expensive Stokke linen. Try here

sod it. try this one www.babymattressesonline.co.uk

Formula - DH went to local Co-op and chose one at random (Cow and Gate). Couple of weeks later my cousin told us that Aptamil is the closest to breastmilk.

Right, going to weigh in with my favourite/most useful items for newborn...

The three main things baby will need (IMO) are: feeding, changing, clothes:
Changing
Newborn size 1 nappies
Cotton wool wipes (not balls as mainly got stuck on butt!)
Little dish for luke warm water (just grabbed dish from cupboard)

Feeding
Lanoish cream
Breastpads (I used Boots own brand)

As I had problems with breastfeeding, I expressed for 8 weeks with formula feed top ups. Reduced expressing gradually to stop blocked ducts. I didn't buy the following before baby was born as was planning on breastfeeding and all of the below was available from our local Boots:
Medela breast pump
Medela bottles
Microwave steriliser (absolutely fantastic, cleaned x4 bottles in 8mins).
Thermos - to have boiled water ready for night feeds.
Formula powder dispenser (not used immediately but v useful when out and about during feed times).

Clothes
Body suits x6
Baby grows x6 with integral scratch mitts.
Hat (for leaving hospital)
x2 Blanket (for pram & moses basket)
Cardigans x2
Pram suit (didn't have one of these as DD was born in May but think a good idea for Nov baby!).

I didn't have a sicky baby but would have just bought more baby grows if DD was going through them quickly.

Babies cannot moderate their temperature like adults can, so the norm is for them to have one layer more than you are wearing. I often checked DDs chest to see if she was too hot or cold before putting to bed. Their hands and feet get very cold but that's because their circulation is poor.

Blimey, that was longer than expected - sorry

We don't have a microwave >.<
May have to weight up costs of getting one vs. making do.

I read somewhere not to use scratch mitts, but to trim the nails back instead - can't remember why now, though!

I'm looking at getting HiPP formula - the only company who's background and corporate information I've been able to find.

Not sure about anyone else, but I found it extermely difficult to cut DDs nails for at least first month. Did not have the confidence to do it. V small, delicate and surprising sharp even though there was nothing there to cut. Haven't read anything about not using integrated scratch mitts. Wouldn't bother with seperate scratch mitts as they just fall off. I used to pull them back when she was awake so her hands got an 'airing'. She was always so fascinated with her fingers

It always surpises me how much stuff is out there that could be helpful for a newborn but after a couple of weeks you realise you could have done without it. A bit like the Lakeland catalogue with all those helpful gadgets

Oh, Cali you can also use milton tablets for sterilising before investing in something more expensive.

Seperate scratch mitts were useless here too, as were baby nail scissor/clippers I found the best way was to nibble at DS's nails as & when :)

Aptimel at present is the closest to breast milk & is the first choice at most hospitals. There is very little difference between them all!!

One extra layer is advised for newborns, but best way to tell is to feel baby chest to see how warm they are - you can add and remove layers as needed.

Doubt we'll get pram suit as found it awkward with DS when we came inside as meant waking a sleeping baby to remove it..ended up using added blankets & removing them when we came in!!

Ooooh some good lists floating around here.
May I respectfully add: Muslins!!!! And dozens. With DS I thought, 'humph I'll be buying the bare minimum of them, they sound like a right con' but he was a real recreational puker, and we ended up with about 2 dozen, but still there was never one to hand when he grinned at me with a faceful of posset.
As for scratch mitts we found that using baby socks was much more effective. They stay put!
And yup layers wise you'll always want a vest then a sleepsuit. And in November maybe a cardie too. I also thought maybe a snowsuit should be added to the list. But then it's a good point about taking the buggers off once you get back indoors. However as we don't have a car and my dad said he'd buy one, I think we'll go for it.
I totally second the cotton wool pads not balls for cleaning. The balls are useless!
I'll be controversial and say that while we had bottles and a steriliser in just in case, as well as a really good second hand breast pump, I deliberately didn't buy formula. The closest I came to being tempted to send DH out to the garage in the middle of the night was the dreaded 6 week growth spurt, if I'd had the stuff in the house I'd have used it and BF would have slowly been on its way out, instead I turned to MN and found out this constant feeding, fussiness and fretfulness were totally normal and were designed to build your supply. We never looked back and I'm still feeding him now at 22 months. It helped that he absolutely totally and utterly refused to take a bottle, even of epressed milk. Ever. For us having no option was all the incentive I needed . But I totally understand why that wouldn't work for all.