October 2013 - only 3 months to go!

[roxvox]

Baby due dates/sexes/name choices here

re: weight gain I've gained 13lbs since my booking in weight at 12 weeks. not sure how much I was before that but think a little more and lost in first 12 weeks!! its not much 'officially' and I've been a bit concerned as I haven't gained a single pound in the last 5 weeks, but mw wasn't too worried on Tuesday as bump is measuring perfectly and its grown the right amount in that time. I can also tell baby is getting bigger by his movements. I know lots of people will think its great not to gain much but it does make me worry if baby is ok in there.

soupqueen - that is really helpful, thank you! I would love to swaddle but have only got cellular crib blankets - so I'll stick with those for now.

I was surprised by BabyGap - went in the sale a month ago and the basics (e.g. two packs of leggings) were cheap and tasteful.

I've only gained 9lb so far, but am eating three fairly large meals a day and snacking fruit in between. I expressed worry to the midwife but she didn't even weigh me and said it should be fine.

Ellie - hope you are feeling a bit better about things this morning. It all got a bit much for me too last night but DH has promised to 'step up'. We've also been advised to watch the 'bump to breastfeeding' dvd so I'm going to ask my midwife for it next time I see her.

I've gained 10lb at 27+5 but I'm big anyway so the smaller amount I gain the better

Morning all, seems abit cooler here today so keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way.

Soup your post made me smile - I think I am the only person on earth to have loved my top n' tail bowl - I've only ever heard other people say what a waste of money they are.

But, then, everyone else also seems to rave about muslin cloths whereas I found traditional terry nappy squares much better (I liked the thicker material). I'm definitely the odd one out.

Pseudo thanks for linking to the official formula guidelines - with DD I made up to 2 bottles safely in advance, cooled down quickly under running water, and then stored them in the main body of the fridge ready for reheating. I just couldn't cope with making up a fresh bottle on demand (with DD screaming in the background) and found this was a good risk/benefit compromise.

This time I am desperate to breast-feed successfully as I still feel very disappointed at the lack of support I received last time and very sad that we only managed 6 days. Even at when DD was 12 months I was still bursting into tears whenever it was talked about.

The DVD is on the website Ellie reccomended as watch online in sections.

If you don't have space for a baby bath, my friend had a sort of bucket thing which I think was called a tummy tub. My god daughter loved it. We have gone for a £5.50 ikea bath though.

Re. Weight gain, I've put on 1-2lbs! I was dreading the pregnancy weight gain, I'm the biggest in my family and only need to look at food to put weight on whereas everyone else can eat like a horse...

As I was over my 'ideal' weight pre-pregnancy though, I'm hoping that I'm just balancing myself out!

I'm enjoying a rare indulgence today - I've just been to the dentist and then DP asked me to go and pick something for up for him from the shopping centre. So I'm taking advantage of 'no toddler time' and am enjoying a scone with clotted cream and a latte in John Lewis cafe. I almost feel guilty. Oh, no I don't :o

Suddenly that 2 stone gain isn't such a mystery.... :o

Nothing beats toddler free time pseudo except toddler free time involving either alcohol or food lol

I am 11 stone so quite a big weight gain here...I was just telling my sister who is convinced that my vast weight gain is due to the fact I had hardly any body fat pre pregnancy as I was very toned, which may well be true. I used to run between 15-25 miles per week, and stopped at about 6 weeks pregnant! I'm hoping to get back into running as soon as i can.

Bridget I'm sure you will manage it this time - To me it seems you were nearly there last time - I always think if you can get through the first week then you're ok!

Demand help! With ds1 my mum (I was still living at home) was dead against me bfeeding, and he wouldn't latch properly and kept sticking out his tounge. i knew if I went home unsure of how to do it I would end up stopping, so I stayed in hosp overnight and rang for help to get him on properly every time he needed feeding, and then by the morning we were fine.

Its not an easy, natural thing for everyone - It hurts to begin with! it's tiring and then there is this massive pressure put on women too

However

Im very lazy and couldn't be doing with faffing over bottles, making them, washing them sterilising them, remembering to take them with you etc etc etc

Whatever way we feed our babies, as long as they are fed then they will be happy! and if they are happy you are doing a good job

flyer, I'm hoping to get running as soon as possible too. I hadn't been running for a couple of months pre pregnancy (chest infection then breast abscess) so didn't dare risk it in the early days. So looking forward to getting back into it, just for 30 minutes or so to clear the head. Given it'll be almost a year, I'm thinking of going back to basics and doing couch 2 5k as I suspect I'll have lost all my fitness.

pseudo, enjoy your scone, yum!

I'm off to a BBQ this afternoon, feeling a bit tired and grumpy for it but I'm sure I'll perk up!

Hi all

I second baby gap being good esp in sales.

Primark isn't bad for cotton vests and sleep suits esp early on when that's all they wear and more poo-splosions to deal with.

I had a tummy tub orange and I d recommend it but they're expensive. My paediatrician best friend swore by it and gave me hers. It was also good for colic and wind. Sometimes as soon as I put ds in it he'd do a few huge burps!! Saves water too.

Natalie my eyes get so dry in pregnancy I've given up on contacts altogether and just wear my glasses. You could probably ask at opticians about drops but not sure??

I'm planning on bf as I did with ds even though I know every baby is different. Also a little worried as with elcs baby will be 39 weeks whereas ds was almost 42 weeks. Better cooked baby can mean stronger suck although obviously d/o baby. I did use formula from when he was 10/11 months but used he cartons. Only needed it for evening feed and went to cows milk ASAP. I've never made up a powder bottle and panicking now as I haven't seen any cartons here (not in UK). Don't want to express this time as found it hard to get much milk and it took lots of time when I could be resting or doing something else. Anyone else didn't express. Any tips?

Hope you're feeling better ellie

pseudo enjoy toddler free time! Ds and dh downstairs "cooking" I better go investigate :)

Baby has been very quiet today, I'm not sure I've felt anything at all. I have been very busy though. I'm going to have lunch and a drink and then lie down to see if that helps.

Thanks Chickie, I'm back with him now and we are having a nice cuddle :)

pseudo when I had no movements the midwife recommend laying on my left side for two hours and said if I didn't feel anything in that time then to contact them

Is it very hot there? Try drinking something very cold and lie down as Natalie said??

Thanks for all the messages about low iron. orange you're right about the dilution aspect of low Hb but my ferritin/ iron stores also low which means true anaemia. I was probably anaemic before got pregnant so maybe iron stores were already low and baby just using it all up too efficiently!

Still tired though and it's very very hot here. Similar to UK temperatures and v humid. The other day I was walking home from the shops around noon. About a ten minute walk. A lovely lady pulled over and asked me if I wanted a lift!! Said it was too hot for a pregnant lady to be walking! Unfortunately I was almost home or would've taken her up on offer :)

Right I've finally managed to lie down. Perhaps felt a kick during lunch but not sure. I'll report back.

chicken - I didn't express at all and gave nothing else (apart from water in a beaker from about 7 months) until DD was 1 and just went straight onto cows milk. You h

Sorry - bloody phone! You honestly won't need any formula at all if you're going to bf. They're fine with just breat milk and water till they go onto cows milk. Panic not! If you've done it once, I think you'll be find this time. Yes every baby is different, but all babies do know how to feed (survival instinct) and the main problems are the mother not knowing (ie not being supported enough!) how often they need to feed (sometimes every hour or just whenever the baby cues) and not knowing what a good latch feels like. You've done it so it'll be a breeze!! Plus milk comes in quicker with no 2. I am hoping all this is true as the twins will only be 37 weeks and I have never expressed or given a bottle in my life, do relying 100% on my boobs!!!

Argh. Just lost my post.

Summarise. Bridget. I also am very upset about not bfing lo1. N feel I gave up to quickly. Support I got was shit. Things the hospital mw told me r shocking. N I had no confidence. Tried half hearted

Caz who did you call for support while in hospital? I'm thinking about getting in touch with a private bf consultant. Incase I get same rubbish advice as last time n it knocks me again. But not sure how they work as I think I'll need hands on help for every feed at first.

Ellie thanks for the link. Mw doesn't have DVD but told us about it. Said to search on YouTube but couldn't find it.

Right off to eat.

chickien I hope you and everyone here who chooses to have good experiences with bf.

I just wanted to say if you're in Canada and need to use formula you have more choice than the UK because you should have powder, ready to drink (may be in bottles or cans, not cartons), and liquid concentrated (likely in cans but should be sterile, unlike powder). When I left in 2008 there were also store brand formulas which are just as good as name brand but cheaper.

I tried asking the Danone baby rep why they didn't make liquid concentrated formula here but she didn't know. I always ask weird questions.

gt and bridget I went to 2 bf info sessions before ds was born and they were a great help. One I paid for was a full morning with instructor and three other preg ladies. The other one was free after a yoga class. Got written info and pictures etc with both. Also websites and contact numbers for after babies born if needed help. Maybe you could try and find something like this? Kellymom website is brilliant and I think jack Newman website has pictures/video of good latch. Also could look up la leche league for your area or nct bf counsellor s/clinics??