Due in August Thread... Part Five!

[ishopthereforeiam]

Congratulations again to poppy, here's to the rest of us still with increasingly big bumps or of your choice!

Bring on the final trimester in all it's glory!

MrsM I haven't done a card but have got DH the complete AA.Milne from bump with a request for bedtime stories! He's already put in a request for whiskey for future Father's Day gifts but he's out of luck this year!

Ham I have nearly reduced myself to tears several times this week by forgetting where I am / why I'm there, or ( VERY & ruining my professional rep) bleeping doctors and then forgetting why when they answer.
I just keep thinking only 4 weeks to go!

thanks mrsmiggins and marmite just need to try and keep as busy as possible I think. At least it is easier to talk to him in Wales, when he was in Canada he tended to call in the middle of the night here! Can't wait until he comes home, but it is mad to think how different life will be when he does get home!
ham our older cat had never been outside, we lived in a flat before we moved here, the wee one we got as a kitten just after we moved, we didn't get him neutered until March so he hadn't been outside either. I was terrified about letting them out at first, traffic isn't an issue where we now live, but was so scared they wouldn't come back. In reality they haven't gone very far, they go into our garden and the ones either side, I think the older one has also been over the fence at the back which is woodland. If I'm in the house I'll leave the back door open for them, the wee one often comes wondering in with a 'just making sure your still here' expression on his face! We've also been shaking the treat box, and giving them treats when they come home when called. It's worked really well so far. There are a lot of cats on the estate, I've seen a bit of hissing and that, but nothing I'm terribly worried about, I still find it cute when they make their tails go big and bushy! Also I haven't let them out in the dark yet, not sure how I feel about them staying out at night. Like DH said, it'll be weird when the cats are no longer the centre of our universe
welsh that range is so pretty, exactly what I would go for if I was having a girl.

I think I've got a bum in my ribs, they are so uncomfortable, was stuck in traffic earlier and was getting so agitated, although that also wasn't helped by arsey drivers trying to cut in in front of me!
I can't decide whether or not to go into town tomorrow, would like to get some mineral make up, as my skin is terrible right now. Not sure if I can be bothered tho!

Evening all, it's actually our 9 year anniversary today and I'm on the computer, romantic but we're going out tom night instead (and not just cos of the football DH is currently watching!!)

Frilly bag is lovely, and on the same website they have my top baby purchase, everyone should get them www.helpbabygrow.com/clevamama-bath-towel-white-40.html I have 2 which have done 2 kids so far and will do for this one too! They are huge and much better than the prettier ones out there as they protect your clothes from splashing!

Re bath we've always had a tub for ours and they love it so it'll also be used again! It was a pressie for DD1 but looks like this www.johnlewis.com/230223627/Product.aspx?s_pccid=pc_gs_600_100000

Welsh DD1 has Bella butterfly bed sheets, we love it!!

Ohhh some fab baby names lined up ladies! I also loved Ezra, Noah and Aaron... lots with biblical themes. We wanted something that worked as an Arabic/Muslim name but also in English so lots which have Hebrew / biblical crossovers. Think we've settled on Xavier but middle name either Aiden / Daniyal.

Had the best night's sleep in ages last night and three complemented me on how glowing I look - amazing what zzzzz's can do but not getting my hopes up for tonight.

We had a mini baby bath for dd and then as she got older got a chair she can sit in... (safety 1st swivel seat).

We are borrowing a co-sleeping cot from a friend fairtrade this is it COT i'm not sure how it will work with our bed as ours is pretty high but will see. DH was worried about co-sleeping, he trusts me but not himself with baby in the bed... I was really keen on it so this was a good compromise, and luckily it won't cost anything!

panpipe and ffscat my baby brain buddies!

Good to know about the cats Loupee ... I'm going to do that with the treats like you did. I was worried that I'd need to get them home and they wouldn't come! Thinking also of getting one of those cat flaps that recognise the cats microchip to let them in/out

Finally a good night's sleep for ishop HOORAY!

VERY busy today. Viewing three houses in the village we want to move to. Going to discuss a part exchange for a new build too in said village which I am 99% sure won't work as it will increase our mortgage too much. Then brother's birthday party. We are having a BBQ HAHAHA! Stay out the awful wind and rain if possible!!

Welsh DD also has the Bella Butterfly set for her bedroom and it looks lovely, so good choice .
As far as baby baths go we've still got the Tummy Tub that we used with DD. I know it looks like a bucket but she absolutely loved it and it was a godsend when she was colicky. We've also got a basinette to use downstairs and I got a crib off of ebay for the princely sum of 20 quid...bargain! which we will use in our bedroom. Had a bit of a shopping spree last week and bought the steriliser and some bottles, a few babygros, a gorgeous sleeping bag from the White Company this one and a feeding set from Cath Kidston. So gorgeous I just couldn't resist.
I'm planning to breastfeed again this time but having DH give baby a bottle of EBM in the evening. This way baby will get used to taking a bottle in preparation for me returning to work. We did this with DD and it worked a treat so fingers crossed it will be the same this time.

I saw the consultant this week, my GTT has now come back as normal but they would prefer to continue with the growth scans as planned just in case and I have absolutely no objection to that. Baby boy is still breech but there is another 9/10 weeks for him to turn. Sadly for him it's looking like he's inherited his Father's sense of direction and may never find the exit without assistance. We've picked a name for him, it's Thomas Michael William. The names are family names so have some sentimental meaning to both of us.
I'm seeing the physio next week as my pelvic pain reached almost unbearable proportions on Thursday night. I had worked a night shift the night before so had been on my feet for a long time in a 24 hour period but as I have another 7 and a bit weeks before I start my mat leave I think I'll need a belt for my pelvis.

Ooh, I was going to ask about breast and formula feeding...who's planning to do what?

My plan is to breast feed but to express when I can (freeze the milk) and use it to bottle feed when needed (still expressing in the meantime so as not to screw up my 'supplies'!! Well. That's the plan

I am going to try breast feeding as a) it's cheaper b) it's easier c) it gives best nutrition and d) it's great for bonding.

However... It sounds like to can be hard to get the hang of and I can't go back on my medication whilst breastfeeding, so have to prepare to 'forgive' myself for going to formula.

I am looking into cloth nappies at the moment and working out cost vs hassle vs environment... but I am thinking I may go down that route.

My Kari Me has arrived! Someone on here recommended it and I have spoken to the 'sling lady' who also recommend. It's actually quite easy to put on and have been trying it with a teddy beat! Still waiting for those cat pictures though....

Morning everyone,

So tired after yesterday took ages to finish living room but at least it's all done now, next job is to sort kitchen cupboards and ds toys and wash all babys clothes etc when is everyone else planning on washing lo's clothes?
Frilly love the bag, I have this one www.johnlewis.com/231429260/Product.aspxI know alot of people have them but I love them and it matched our cameleon so was perfect :) Thinking of getting a skip hop one for the bee though.
Ham We co slept with ds, wasnt planning too but he hated his moses basket and would never sleep in it and i was bf so it was the best solution for us, he slept alot better and was sleeping nearly all night by about 6-8 weeks just waking up v early for a feed then sleeping again so I loved it, only problem is you cant move too much in bed and it's very hard to ever get them to stay in there own cot/bed ds started going in his own bed at about 2.5 so it's a long time to share a bed. Dp was also v scared about having ds in bed when he was tiny. I dont know if we will with this one I suppose just see what baby likes but we have the cot right by our bed so going to try putting him in cot.

Im going to try bf again with this one I bf ds exclusively for 6 months and then just at night and morning for another 6 months, again I wasnt expecting to but it was the best thing for ds and it worked for us. I could hardly express though so it was v tiring for me I couldnt leave him at all for 6 months, but I was happy with it and feel v close to ds as a result. This time I would like to introduce a bottle quite early on though as I know it's going to be more difficult to fit in bf all the time, sometimes with ds I would be sat there for an hour or more in the early newborn days and I know that is going to be alot more difficult with having to keep ds entertanied aswell so we have bottles and a sterilliser just in case, Ive gone for the avent bottles and just got the microwave steriliser until I know how feeding will go.

picture love the sleeping bag and feeding set there so cute :)

Having a bit more of a relaxed day today just going to do some ironing and then ds is at a birthday party and tonight were going to watch the muppets together as dp is working, Hope everyone else has a lovely day and the weather perks up a bit.

frilly I breastfed ds for a year exclusivly to 5 months. I made the mistake of not expressing and storing enough in the freezer so when I went back to work when ds was 10 months had to use formula as well but I suppose its not as important at this age.
I found it quiet easy well as soon as I left hospital. Even tho I had help and support I hate hospitals so it was not a good relaxed environment for me to get the hang of it. The main things are you have to keep at it. Try different positions until you find one both you and lo are comfy with. Any position is fine so don't nessacerily go with what's coinsidered normal. Keep trying until your milk comes in as it can be hard until this point and do not give up (when most people do) at the 6 week growth spurt they are not crying cos they are not getting enough its just at this point they need more. Oh and remember I never used any nipple cream as I found the best thing for sore nipples was to express a bit of milk out and rub it in afterwards (tho you can use cream as well) breast milk is good for a lot of aliements. Hope this helps. Oh and also if you can't do it don't worry and do not beat yourself up about giving formula there is no point in getting you and baby stressed about it (not good for milk flow) when you know there is a good alternative. Good lucl bf ladies its a wonderful thing if you can get to grips with it.

Thanks for all your BF stories. I come from a family of BFs and I really do want to do it

I have heard that breast milk is great for ailments too. My friend BF both her boys and said if they had rashes or eye problems or anything, she would rub some BM into the affected area and it would clear up real quick. Makes sense I suppose, it's so full of good stuff!!

Re cloth nappies...nothing could make me want to use them! I ONLY say that because my Dsis used them and the reeeeeked. It was so flipping disgusting that it's put me right off. It's prob because they weren't changed often enough/cleaned properly, but sadly it's put me off for life. Plus, all that washing!! But I have nothing against other people using them Please don't think I'm being a cow bag!!

Oh and I love that changing bag from JL!! Gorgeous!

I have been hand expressing since coming out of hospital and it's taken me ages to build my milk up, I am just about catching up to MiniPop's needs, so that's taken three weeks. We've tried him on the boob a few times and he's almost getting what to do. :o In the hospital I was in there was a lot of support for breastfeeding to help get baby latched on etc... so hopefully some of you will have the same experience.

I bought a Medela Harmony manual pump for pumping at home, but it broke after two weeks . Amazon refunded me fully, but then I had to hand express for a week (which took bloody ages, and I couldn't quite empty my boobs, so had hard lumps in them, which I think were blocked ducts), so bought the Medela Swing electric pump and so far this has been really good (I am waiting for it to break though). I've also got a microwave steam steriliser, as prematures babies need stuff heat sterilised rather than the cold water treatment.

I am definitely going to try breastfeeding as premmies have a hard time digesting formula, due to their tums being a little bit underdeveloped, just need to train him a little bit. He's got the hand of the bottle now, too. Which is brilliant, because the sooner we can get the damn feeding tube out his nose, the better :)

My poor nipples and breasts were so brusied, dry and cracked from hand expressing that I gave in and bought some lasinoh and it's worked a treat, so far. I did try the breast milk, but I think mine were a bit extreme so it didn't quite work all the time.

Thanks ham and good .uck with the viewings, hope so thong good comes up!

Re breastfeeding hoping to mirror what I did with dd exclusive bf for three months (so e expressing for when we're out) then mixed feeding with formula after that. Will stop whenever dstobe stops wanting bf (was around 8 months for dd)...

Dear All,

Last few days (weeks) were hectic. I was handing over at work, finishing off the nursery, had some issues with blood pressure shooting up and preparing for leaving Afghanistan for London. I arrived today and I am so happy. Straight from the airport I went to my first antenatal class. It was very slow moving and quite basic. It was NCT one. I hope it improves as it goes along.

I was quite nervous flying at 33 weeks but no one bothered to ask me for letters etc...quite an anticlimax.

I am so excited to be home :)

Hopefully will now some time to relax and catch with all the post.

warzone welcome back! Glad you're settling into 'mummy' mode already!

poppy I use lansinoh, it's great, expensive but I ebf both mine for 11 months and only used about 2-3 tubes each time.

Can't remember who started cosleeping thread but with both mine they've slept on my chest for about 6 weeks, I have to partially sit up in bed all night but it's so easy for breast feeding, don't have to move and u can snooze whilst feeding!

I saw on Amazon that Lanisoh is just £8!

Yes lanisoh is fab 1 tube lasted me the whole time while breastfeeding, going to order some from amazon now thanks frilly

warzone glad your home now and hope you manage to enjoy the last few weeks relaxing before the babys arrival :)

I also loved Lansinoh, it is also really handy for dry skin on knees, elbows etc.

Another top tip I got from my HV was to put a bit of olive oil on a breastpad and wear it inside bra. It is soothing, doesn't impact the DC feeding and is good for when you don't have any Lansinoh to hand.

Am currently sitting on my birth ball in the living room watching TV. DH dug it out of the attic and inflated it for me :) I loved it during latter weeks of DS's pregnancy and am glad to have it again. Only issue now is that DS thinks it's a toy and fires it around the room

(30+1)

Bum! I bought mine from boots and it cost over a tenner!! :o will check out AMazon, although they are not my favourite people atm :o

Warzone so glad you are back safe and sound. Phew! :)

We've had a super exciting day today - picked up pram, car seat, highchair and baby carrier this morning and spent afternoon assembling and "practising" with the doll I had when I was a LO myself. Really want to take the pram out for a spin - not sure I can wait 10 weeks!

Thanks for all info about breast feeding and co-sleeping - as a first-time mum to be they are the two things I'm wondering most about so it's good to hear some words of wisdom from those who've been through it before and some advice about what others are doing. My plan is pretty much to play it by ear with both and see how it goes. Fingers crossed LO will play ball!

Have a nice relaxing Sunday everyone and welcome back to the UK warzone!

Hey sounds like I am lucky to not have needed any nipple cream then!

Had a good day today. Tried to go on a cleaning frenzy but didn't happen just managed to do my living room which is now cleaner than its been in a long time Dsis took ds out for the afternoon. Dh started to lay patio and found out mil and sil and niece (4 months old) are coming next week. Verye xcited about seeing niece again!!

Oh yeah forgot to say welcome back warzone sounds like you are much happy now you are back in the sunny uk!!

Welcome home Warzonemummy. Good to have you safely back and well.
Had a lovely time with all my girl friends for tea which lasted an epic 5 hours ! So good to see them all and I do miss them. Sigh. Had some nice shopping time beforehand too with Dsis and got some cute baby bits from baby gap, a clear sponge bag from Muji for changing so DH can see what's in it, some new posh mascara for me and some Mamamio oil as a treat with my jl voucher. Lovely. I also got the lansinoh cream from amazon along with their pads the other day so not much else to get now. Will do big jl order next week for angelcare monitor and other final bits like changing mat etc. Exciting! Hope everyone sleeps well tonight and has a good day tomorrow x

miggins JL sale starts next week so some basics like bedding may be reduced in that. X

Interesting on the co-sleeping front, I guess will work out what baby wants when he/she is here!

Glad to hear you are back safe in the UK warzone :)

I think we may have seen "the house" yesterday. Trying not to get excited. It doesn't cost too much either so we should be able to lower our asking price and accept a lower offer and still move with the same increase to our mortgage. Just need to sell this place now... fingers crossed someone will want to for a fixed price.