January 2014 (thread 8) Half way there just about! Finding out pink or blue

[BuntCadger]

New thread for us, can't believe another one filled! Half way there girls :) on the homeward stretch :) xx

MrsVDB I bought about 10-15 babygros and the same number of vests in the o-3 and 3-6 month size range. This covered me for about a week to a week and a half, allowing for accidents.
I basically had 3 boxes which made up DSs early wardrobe - bibs, socks, hats and muslins/ vests/ and babygros. I also had 3 or 4 little cardies and hoodies and a snowsuit. That was all I needed in the early months.

I then bought a few wee outfits and jeans etc in 3-6/6-9 and was given quite a few. I found them hard to resist but tried to buy them in the bigger sizes.

sultana great to hear from pod.

frizz that's very sweet yet simultaneously a bit bleurgh at the same time.

sultana I've been getting cramps recently, we're still staying at DHs mums (travelling home today) and our bed is up against the wall so I have to clamber over DH so I can stand up.

Glad pod is doing ok :)

Talking about stuff to buy, are those who are planning to breast feed buying a pump? I'll be a SAHM so don't need to worry about work. I was planning to leave it and buy one later on if I think I need one, but then I started worrying about if baby won't breast feed I'll want to start expressing, but then could I borrow one from the hospital whilst we're there and sent DH out to buy one before we go home? So much to think about!

MrsG we had a pump last time. Takes a bit of getting used to (felt a bit like a cow and DH delighted in singing "express yourself" when I was doing it) BUT meant if I needed to go out it wasn't impossible to continue giving breast milk, and we got in a routine of giving an expressed bottle each night at bedtime so DH could feed/bond with DS and I got a little rest.

I had a phillips avent manual pump, MrsG. I used it loads but I think if you can, get an electric one. I practically gave myself rsi using the manual one. I'm getting the phillips electric this time as I have Phillips bottles but I've heard good things about the medela calma too.

Extra, that's hilarious. My DP would sing 'booby, booby, booby' (done to the tune of the Kaiser chiefs ruby) to the baby whenever I used mine.

Haha that's also apt!!

We had a Medela electric - was great.

I had the Philips electric and the advantage is that it comes with the bits to make it a manual if for some reason you couldn't power it.

I wouldn't worry too much about buying a pump in advance though as they are so widely available and the first 48hrs you'll be making colostrum which can be a bugger to pump. Have a look at some videos on hand expressing on YouTube as that can often be easier with colostrum. They are supposed to show you how to do it in hospital but i doubt they actually do to many women.

Babies stomach is only the size of a marble at birth so the quantities we're talking about are tiny. If you can hand express a few ml you can syringe it up using a pipette type thing and syringe feed baby. Then send dp out to pick up pump.

DD had trouble latching at first due to tongue tie and because I am diabetic they were testing her blood sugars. Her sugar went up to normal levels after I literally just wiped the two drops of colostrum i had across her lips - it's pretty rich stuff.

Congrats on all the lovely scan news :)

I have an electric Avent pump that was brilliant for when I returned to work after dd1 as it gave me a free hand so I could feed and pump the other breast at the same time. I tried it recently thinking I could express for dd2 when I went out, but it is not working :( Back to the manual pump for me.

We will be doing the bedtime bottle like you extra so at some point I will get another electric as I found it easier to use and faster at getting a decent bottles worth of milk out.

I wouldn't get one straight away, you can always send DH/DP out if necessary, but if you want baby to take an occasional bottle then you will want one from the 6-8 week mark.

Yay for more lovely scans! Haven't we all got clever beans?

I'm going to wait and see if we need a pump - might be good for DH to be able to feed expressed milk (he is very sweet and involved and I think would love to do this), but I don't want to rush in and buy that immediately not when I could be buying superhero costumes for the baby instead

Have mainly been buying baby clothes - got a selection of short and long sleeved vests/bodysuits in plain white, as these will probably be covered up, a few patterned ones, about 4 sleepsuits, assorted hats, including one that has bear ears with matching scratch mitts with bear print 'paws' on (can you tell I have been waiting to buy baby clothes for YEARS?). I've been getting some newborn, more 0-3 size, and some in 3-6 mo. I could honestly spend all my disposable income on the gorgeous wee clothes I see this month I have.

Been having weird tugging/twingy feelings right above my bikini line today, but I'm pretty sure I got another flutter when I went to lie down

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations, I think I'll wait and see if a decent one goes on offer, if not I won't worry about it for now. It worried me reading that when i was a baby my mum expressed for 6 weeks before I would breast feed.

I'm a bit relieved to read everyone else is having little twinges. I've had a stich type pain for the last few days, but just below my belly button. I'm hoping it's just stretching!

Went to kiddicare today. Cried and asked dh if we could leave and do it another day as its very overwhelming! Soon got over that though and think we've chosen pram. Britax affinity in blue. Kiddicare price match and we've found pram, carrycot, car seat and colour pack on another website for 499, wasn't planning on getting it so soon but offer is so good not sure what to do?? If any of you still have a which subscription would you mind pm me a review please? Google seems positive but would be good to double check

I'm suddenly REALLY IMPATIENT today!! Want it to be baby time NOW.

ive come a bit late to the conversation but re. breast pumps... I Had a manual pump with DS , NEVER AGAIN, it took me bloody ages just to make 3 ounces. So, with DD I bought an electric Medela mini pump and it was fab!! unfortunately I got rid of it as we thought we wouldn't be having anymore so I now need to invest in a new one.
I found being able to express really handy, it meant DH could give her a bottle before bed and she used to sleep longer if she had a bottle and we knew exactly how many ounces she was having. It also meant he could do the night feeds when off work which was helpful. If I fancied a glass of wine or something I could have one and then express the next day and just chuck a bit away so it didn't upset baby.

I braved town yesterday and did some baby shopping. I did notice there's not very many neutral colours about and not much variety but I did manage to pick up most of what I needed . I found a lovely pram suit in mothercare but refused to pay £20 for something that baby will only wear a handful of times so I am still on the look out for one of those. I'm also convinced I will have a big baby and I keep looking at the newborn stuff thinking no way will he or she be that diddy haha.

frizz sorry about your pukey DH !! men are so rubbish at not knowing when to stop. I remember when I first met DH he practically downed a bottle of wine (either nerves or trying to look like he can handle it) and half an hour later he had his head down my toilet haha atleast he made it I suppose , bloody men!!

congrats on all the scans recently, i've totally lost count of how many pink and blues we have now?

extra and enormouse loving the cow milking songs your DH's sang to you , actually made me laugh DH has looked at me like .

I have persuaded DH to give me a full body massage tonight, oh yesss! but apparently I have to return the favour .

Yay humpty for flutters!,

Great tips on the breast pumps - definitely wanna get one, but will probably wait until just after bubs is born.

sarah full body massage sounds lush!!!

Just had a big argument with DH over something stupid, but it has obviously been playing on both our minds. However, am sitting fuming now which really pisses me off as my headache has finally gone and I was trying to enjoy chilling out before a hectic work day tomorrow. Fecks sake! What a shitty end to a crappy day....grrrr!

Must remember that by tomorrow it will have blown over and bigger picture its not a big deal, so why I cant just let it go I dont know! It annoys me more that I cant let it go. I know I will end up in a sniffling mess later. Ah well.....shit happens. Feel better for ranting!

DH would love to give me a massage but I'm feeling really uncomfortable with being touched poor guy - is anyone else feeling like that??

Meant to say frizz your DH's drunken antics made me laugh (assuming it didn't piss you off too much, otherwise I will be in support).

sultana tell him. I've done that SO MANY times, and they don't get it. Tell him you're fuming, in a calm way if possible, and say you'd like to work it out/have a cry/cuddle. It always works out better in the long run. And here's a hug, in case that doesn't work.

extra I am the opposite but I have days when I don't want... to be touched not many though

MrsV I've attempted to send you the which review, I'm on my phone (which is admittedly more of a tablet) halfway between Devon and the Midlands so it might not have worked! Let me know if not and I'll send it from my laptop tomorrow :)

I was also very overwhelmed by kiddicare, and I'm still generally overwhelmed by prams! DHs cousin has just told us she hardly ever uses her travel system so I'm back to not being sure what we should get! I'm burying my head in the sand and not buying anything until I'm at least 6 months gone.

extra yes I hate it! Makes me cringe! Poor dh!

mrsg got it thanks so much :) they even use our golf as an example of whether it fits in boot or not! Only cons are heavy to pull up stairs. This may not be ideal in London but I'm sure helpful passers by would help?!

Although kiddicare was overwhelming they are so knowledgeable and didn't laugh at my stupid questions such as what's the bumper bar for? How long do they sleep in cot for? Can car seats go in front? Can baby go in pram from birth. We came out feeling much more confident

MrsV that's reassuring - thank you

I've got to find something I do like doing touching-wise with DH though cos based on how I felt after birth last time, he's got a sentence of another 6/7 months of no nookie, which isn't fair!!

extra mine has been told to 'sort himself out' been 4 months so far and prob a fair few more yet. Do feel bad but have this irrational fear of hurting/scaring baby!!

Aw thanks humpty. My problem is I am either gonna yell or cry and I dont wanna do either, so the hug is very much appreciated! DH just offered an olive branch and I ended up in the toilet silently crying! Stupid hormones!

extra I dont mind being hugged and tickled during the day, but by the evening I am feeling uncomfortable and I cant bear to touch my own boobs, let alone let DH anywhere near them....

extra I've been having days when I'm 'up for it' but most of the time I'm so uncomfortable and warm that holding hands is to much! I'm still quite tired so even if I am in the mood it doesn't guarentee anything will happen! DH usually has a lower sex drive than me so in some ways I think he's enjoying a break!

I was to scared to speak to anyone when I was in kiddicare, will keep a list of all my questions and find someone to ask next time!

Ok I'm not a weirdo!

I didn't realise there were actual Kiddicare branches. Thought it was just online! Might have to go and investigate tomorrow...

Oh wait nearest is in Croydon. NOPE.

extra you are definitely not a weirdo! Now that I can feel kicks it also makes me feel weird thinking about getting jiggy....

Ooh, we checked out kiddicare Hayes today. Just a scouting mission mind and ended up ordering the Kiddicare Trio furniture set! Got a pretty good deal too at £350 for cotbed, wardrobe, dresser with changer top and sprung mattress. DH really chuffed due to huge discount and the fact we do not need to visit ikea now. Can't wait for it all to arrive though this will mean we need to paint the nursery first...

I've also been keeping a 'Squiblet Inventory' on my iPod so that I don't end up with a bazillion cute suits all in the same size.

In other shopping news, I used turned £10 of Tesco vouchers into £20 of clothing vouchers and got a whole load of baby clothes. Bargain!

So question for the experiences mums here. If you store breast milk, can you keep it in the fridge or do you need to freeze it? How long does it keep?