June 2013 - Thread 4 - don't forget your pelvic floor!

[redwellybluewelly]

Last thread too full to add a link, hope everyone can find their way back!

Thanks for link, Sunny. I was thinking we should start thinking about pram shopping too. Anyone know where is good to look in Edinburgh for prams? I've had a look online and like the Jane ones but they don't seem to stock them in John Lewis.
Anyone feeling disorganised doesn't have to worry. Me and DP are still trying to get my flat sorted for renting out, then I need to move into his place. Only then will baby's room get sorted out! We've got Moses basket and borrowed cot, and lots of outfits from kind people. Big things still to get are pram and mattresses.
There are 3 months left, that's a third of the pregnancy so no need to panic!

Dontmind you still get the NI contributions paid if you opt not to receive it anymore because of your other half's salary. We opted not to receive it anymore rather than go through the hassle of self assessment tax return. And you can opt back in at any time.

But actually you might need to register for it, but opt not to receive it, if that makes sense!

I looked on the pregnology thing today and it said for me (27 weeks 4 days) - 88 days left.

88 days is not long.

Sheeyit.

Does child benefit only stop if one party earns over £60k?ie is it ok if your combined salaries are over £60k?

Yes Sunbeam, you could both earn £49k and still receive it all.

Child Benefit - I've not even thought of that! Does it only look at your previous year's salary or does it look over a period of time? I had a good year last year so wouldn't qualify but just might this year...

How do you apply and when should you?

It relates to your tax year. So we have the babies in June, we can claim CB from June if we or our partners won't earn in excess of 60k between April 2013 and April 2014. If you have any doubt then claim it anyway- see direct gov website- and then pay it back through doing your tax return in April 2014. As you said, you get the NI paid as well which safeguards your retirement pension and your entitlement to other contributory benefits so even if you know you aren't going to get the money you should still claim it. There is a difference between entitlement- we are all entitled by virtue of having DCs and payability- not everyone will actually get the money due to their earnings.

Thanks Sarah....

here you go:-

www.gov.uk/child-benefit

Oli, I think somebody gives you the form at the hospital, then you'll have to register the birth first, I think. So get to the registry office ASAP! :-)

Ah cool, cheers MrsBri...

oh yes, you can just not claim it, but you need to be registered for it then say you don't want it... If there's a chance no one in your household will earn that (if any of it is based on bonus etc) then it's worth claiming and paying back.

And the person that gives you the form in the hospital is the bounty lady (in the pack of crap they give you), avoid giving your details to them if you can at all - they sell those on and you get shed loads of spam/junk mail. (there's some threads in IABU on their shoddy behaviour as well). You can get the forms when you register the birth and you can get them from the post office, as well as being able to apply on line. (If the bounty person lies claims you have to give them your details to get the form)

Olimoss - 88 days that's scary - that sounds so close... In my head, we're due in the early summer, it's still winter outside, so it feels like a long long time away, but it's really not. (tries to get head round this)

Sunbeam - there used to be a brilliant pram shop in Musselburgh but apparently it has closed down. We're heading to Mothercare at Hermiston Gait and Mamas and Papas in Blackhall but a friend did recommend John Lewis. I don't think there are any small companies out there any more specialising in prams. Bloody recession.

Word of warning though about delivery and Mothercare. A friend said getting delivery of her items would have been easier if she'd crawled there on her hands and knees at 8 months pregnant and dragged it home in her teeth!

We test drove prams at toys r us, Mothercare then made a trek over to John Lewis as they stocked the iCandy which we decided on. Main reason being it converts to a double should we have a second baby quite close & it's good suspension & has 3 wheel convertibility for walking the dogs across the fields!

Same, I'd recommend researching everywhere else but buying from John Lewis. We've had great service from them and delivery sorted for April on a date that suits us.

We'll go back there for cot and moses basket mattresses I reckon.

I don't think you can go wrong with John Lewis. We have also gone for an iCandy.
We've also bought our crib, mattress and bedding from there.

Good advice re. dogwalking Gina. My plan was to use a papoose for as long as possible when walking the dog cos all our favourite walks are so off-road we'd break any pram. A friend has offered us the use of an off-road buggy once the babs gets bigger - her husband used it when training for his fell running races so it must be good.

Top John Lewis tip; if you go and see their nursery advisor you get lots of free stuff. You are under no pressure to buy at all. They help you build a list- but like a wedding list and you can add and remove as you like. It's handy to have an online shopping list which could actually serve as a shopping list if you get from them, or you just use it for reference to shop around on the Internet. Win win. Love John Lewis. Would buy everything from them if not so expensive. Service brilliant, especially if you go in of an evening.

Seconding that tip from Sarah but would say def make an appt with them as they get well busy at peak times.

SunnyL I had been thinking about a sling or something for early days. Those wraps look a real nightmare to put on but look really comfy for mum and baby when on but are they very secure - not sure would trust my knots? Someone recommended an Ergo carrier as being quite good and they are on offer at the moment but they do look quite bulky. So am unsure, I also suffer back and neck niggles so I don't know whether it would be a good idea. Probably wouldn't be using it over 6 months ish. So I am undecided - I could do with having one on trial when baby is here!

My DD hated a sling so for us it was a total waste of money, and she's a very good baby / toddler and never mans so it must've really pissed her off

My SIL's 4 month old got so used to being in the sling he would absolutely howl when he was put down. I don't think I've seen her without him strapped to her now for weeks!

I fancy a sling too. Have you heard of Sling Libraries? Google and see if there are any near you. You can go along and try out different types of sling to see what suits you. I'm going to go and try some at the Edinburgh one .

Definitely go to a sling library if you can. What works for one person doesn't work at all for another. I have a wilkinet and a baby bjorn and I'm going to buy a new ergo (mine was an older model and I sold it on). The ergo is great for older children (I have carried a 3 year old miles in it!) but even with the baby insert I didn't get on with it until the baby was about 5 months. I have never got to grips with ring slings and cheap slings tend to put a strain on your back or require steadying with a hand which slightly defeats the object; you shoud be able to do your ironing or cook lunch wearing a good sling. (I used to just look after newborns).

Great thanks for all that info, I was thinking about using it for housework and stuff to but I did wonder whether it would make her too reliant on being next to me all the time like georgie said so perhaps would just use for when i take the dogs out in the hopefully sunny weather!!! Didn't know about sling libraries so have just looked them up, great idea thanks :)