October 2013 - only 3 months to go!

[roxvox]

Baby due dates/sexes/name choices here

It's weird because I always thought it was more about common microbes like salmonella but apparently it's actually cronobacter that caused regulations worldwide to be changed. Anyway with good hygiene, safe drinking water, sterile equipment and formula that's apparently as close to sterile as they can make it, I think British babies are probably at relatively low risk.

Although as tarlia said there are probably more unreported cases.

whispers here they make baby formula with tap water from the hot tap.... Though there are no storage tanks, water comes into the building preheated.
They also use duvets and thin pillows from birth and sleep outside (unattended) until -10. They are all still alive, it's weighing up personal risk. Ie Im insisting on new mattress even though DS is less the 3 years and has always been protected - where as they say in that case it's ok to reuse, but not for me. But baby will sleep outside with a duvet on our balcony - sleeping bags at night.

-10 degrees that is, not to 10 years haha. thats not including wind chill which could be down as low as -30 at that temperature, but babies sleep in old style prams so are safe from wind.

Tarlia I don't think they can mk formula sterile as when you open a box it would become not sterile anyway. By default you touch the spoon, the spoon touches formula so at first contact not sterile any more. Your hands may be clean, but they are not sterile.

Guess pre made individual cartons are as close to sterile as you can get. But that's an expensive option.

I don't have a winter coat. I have jackets. I drive every where so only ever need a jacket for the short walk to wherever I'm going. But I too am hoping to walk more this winter too loose some weight. So want to invest in a coat and waterproof shoes.

I'm off to bed now but I hope I haven't caused anyone undue worry. In the end we'll all do our absolute best to keep our babies safe and healthy and the risks we're talking about are rare.

Hello. Just to jump in on the weight recording - I've put on between 8-10lbs. I'm happy with that,but I think it's as low because I was still fighting to lose the last stone from last time round.

Also,I can't seem to add myself to the spreadsheet . Could someone do it for me please? Due 13/10/13,girl,I know she will be here on or before 23/10 because I won't be induced due to previous c section so they will do a section at 10 days overdue if I haven't gone naturally by then. Quite a long list of possible names so probably don't need to bother with that! If there's any info I have missed,let me know! And thank you to whoever is kind enough to add me!

I keep getting people telling me how HUUIUUUGE I am. Thanks fuckers. I don't think I am really. Bump has certainly increased in size recently,but it's got a growing baby,an anterior placenta,amniotic fluid,and a layer of flab on it. It's hardly likely to get smaller,is it?! Tossers. It's not even people I know,just rude customers at work. Grrr.

We have an amazing breeze tonight. Am so glad. I am finally cool. William's bedroom is regularly 29 degrees even with all windows & doors open & a fan going. It's crazy. Hate to complain about it,but really it's a bit warm to function normally. Plus being pregnant...

To anyone else who's as clueless about breast feeding as me i can recommend getting the From bump to breast feeding DVD. I'm still going to be a nervous first time mum but hopefully successful breast feeding mum too. I was so impressed by the charity that I now volunteer with the London office a couple of days a week. They also have a DVD called small wonders which focuses on premature or sick babies and how you can adapt to those circumstances. Sorry if I sound like an advert but just wanted to share another good source of information. They aren't expensive and i think sometimes you can get a copy from your midwife www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/

Oh and I admit I'm more a lurker than a participant in this thread but thank you all for this source of support. I do find this pregnancy thing difficult some days, I'm so happy to be having a baby but I struggle to get excited and then if I think about it I worry about the chance of developing post natal depression. Thank you all!

Blimin heck it's hot, I currently have all my bedroom windows open and 2 fans at full speed on me in bed and I'm still sweating like a pig.

I am alone this weekend DP on another stag do and had every window open in the house until about 15 minutes ago when I heard this almighty noise the police helicopter is literally hovering right above my house for the past 10-15 mins, I'm worried now as I'm in a detached property with no one here....where's a man when you need one hey!!! I don't think my little dog will offer much protection...

Lol I'm just not really a coat person as soon as I walk anywhere I'm like a sweating pig and I do drive more often than not anyway but I do need one for the odd occasions really especially the rediculous amount of rain this country gets.

To be honest unless someone suggests some magic way of making the formula to me that sounds simple I will almost definately make it the same way I did for dd.

I actually found last night a little cooler and only woke for one wee :-0 I feel like a new woman!

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Hope you slept ok flyer,I am always jumpy and more aware of noise when I am on my own at night. The baby usually wakes me at 4.15 but today had two hours extra. Thanks little bean! Hot here but a slight improvement on last few nights. Dread to see our electricity bill from having the fan on constantly.

Thanks for the tip Ellie. I am determined to breast feed.

Sorry to hear you are feeling down. Could you mention to your gp? Do you have other things worrying you?

I have put on 1stone, 8 lbs taking my weight to 10 stone 8oz. I've had lots of people telling me how "neat" my bump looks. I feel huge!

An easy way of doing the bottles is boil the kettle when when you sterilise the bottles. Leave both for 20 minutes. Pour 1oz / 30ml less than you need into each bottle. For example if you were making a 4oz/120ml bottle, put in 3oz/90ml. Store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you need them, you just add the extra bit of freshly boiled water and then add the powder. That way the powder is going into warm water.

The faff of formula is another factor in my intention to give breastfeeding a real go. I know it might not work but I'll give it everything I've got.

Weight wise, I've put on 16 pounds. I'm very short though (5'1) so I think that's about right for me so far. A lot of people have commented on it being "all bump", very "trim" and "neat", but I know for a fact that my bum has got a lot bigger too!

Roofio, my main reason for being thankful I'm pregnant in summer is not worrying about slipping on the ice. I'm terribly clumsy at the best of times, so the thought of manoeuvring a bump over ice makes me shudder! Also the prospect of going into labour while snowed in and unable to get to hospital would be terrifying. Finally, I'm glad that I've not just had the baby. I'd be so worried about delicate newborn skin, I'd probably be house bound. At least the sun shouldn't be so strong by October!

Forgot to say, DH and I had a "nursery advice" session at John Lewis this week. There is no obligation, 1:1 attention for about 2 hours and we found it really useful. We feel far more informed and prepared now, and have a list - that we can either get from JL or just use to remind us. The assistant was great, telling us what was a waste of money, where we could get certain things cheaper, really good. I'd recommend it if you're near a JL.

My latest baby brain moment was going into a panic because I thought I'd gone blind. I'd out my specs on with my contacts still in......

tuckingfits I have added you to the spreadsheet.

As for weight gain, I have just weighed myself (I try to every Saturday morning) and I've gained 1st 5lb since getting my BFP. Being between 29 and 30 weeks I think that's an ok gain, but because the NHS in my area aren't interested in weight I am not sure!

After all of your comments about formula feeding, I am seriously hoping that I will be able to breast feed!

Thank you for the advice re breast pads. Lanisoh it is! Everyone seems to rave about them, so they must be the best ... I am looking forward to buying some stuff today. Unfortunately though, the shopping trips with the highest expectations usually fail and I'll probably come home with nothing!

What's everyone else up to today?

soupqueen that made me laugh! My Gran did something similar recently, but she doesn't have the excuse of pregnancy

Your JL visit sounds interesting. Was there anything notable that you can share with us who cannot get to a store?

A lot of people have said that I have a "neat" bump, and then proceeded to tell me that that means 'boy' or 'girl' (different people appear to have different opinions on this).

I usually consider my self quite maternal but when it comes to breast feeding I just don't feel comfortable doing it. I may do the first feed when he's born but I'm even unsure a out that. I think its great if u manage to be successful and continue but its just not for me.

Today I will be house working this morning and going to a children's party this afternoon I think I'm gunna make pasta bake this morning and stick it in the fridge till later as I'm always to hot to cook at 5pm

Also I seem to have been covered in a out 20ish bites over night, is there any specifics we can or can't put on them to stop the itching? Its driving me mad!

Very Jel of your shopping trip roxvox hope u manage to get everything u need

soup I wear contact lenses too r u finding them drier on your eyes than pre preg? I also second the slipping on the ice scenario I can just imagen my self doing that I'm very clumsy!!

Some of the things I remember:
Baby Gap is good for cardigans and much cheaper than JL.

With car seats, they've all passed the same safety test, spending more is usually just for the brand/colour. Most crucial thing is that it's properly fitted.

No such thing as the best pram - just the best for your needs, again price is irrelevant.

Her mantra was "baby doesn't know, baby doesn't care", so need for matching furniture, feeling bad because we don't have a nursery etc.

Some babies love being swaddled, some hate it so buy an absolutely basic pram blanket to try it out. If baby loves it, you can buy a swaddle blanket, if baby doesn't, you've got a pram blanket and haven't wasted time.

Recommend getting a washing up bowl rather than a baby bath, and then a bath support. Top and tail bowls are a waste of money.

Nightgowns with open bottoms are really handy for night time nappy changes.

She also recommended against cat nets over cribs and said we have to start training our (13 year old, spoiled, soft) cat to stay out of the bedroom :-(

natalie, I'm not sure. I've got hayfever just now so my eyes are really uncomfortable anyway, damn my vanity!

Re pram blanket swaddling, I meant wasted money not time. I'm not fully awake yet (or ever these days)

Well I'm embarrassed to say I've gained 2 stone so far. But at least half a stone must be my boobs which have 'blossomed' :o and I know I have water retention so hopefully not as bad as it sounds....

Re. bottles... I have investigated 2 cases of salmonella in babies since 2007 believed to be caused by infant formula. To be blunt, there's no point faffing with sterilising the bottles if you're only going to put unsterile formula in it. Making up formula with cold water is potentially the same 'type' of risk as serving undercooked food.
There are guidelines out there for how to make up bottles in advance safely which can then be stored and reheated.

Thanks for that, interesting I presumed baby gap would be really expensive.

Formula guidelines here

Baby gap have regular 3 for 2 sales. I like them.

Thanks for all of that soupqueen. I might have a look in Baby Gap today then. I am pleased with the advice re the baby bath too. They are massive and I have no idea where I would store one!