July thread - we are nearing the end of the first trimester, announcements will be made soon!

[fattycow]

New thread, as the other one was nearly full! Can someone please post the stats page, as I'm useless with things like that!

8 lb 8 ozs for 0-6 month grobag so a fairly chunky weight so make sure you have blankets or a swaddle blanket on your list as well just in case.

DS was in a grobag from 7 days old. Never knew there was a weight limit! Re buying outfits, it all depends if you want the baby to always be in sleepsuits or not. I only put DS in sleepsuits at night and during the day he was wearing outfits as I did read (but don't ask me where) that it may help creating a pattern between day and night routine.

I would only get a few newborn size and then buy more 0-3 months old.

stone I think it depends if you use official Grobags or own brand sleeping bags on the minimum weight but for Grobags it's a safety thing to ensure the babies head doesn't drop down under the covers. We ended up not using them till about 4 months as we used a cacoonababy and you don't use covers with those.

I guess it's personal preference with the outfits. You can establish a routine just as easily without them. We were given a lot and you'll find people prefer to buy outfits rather than sleepsuits as presents. But I just found them a faff as they weren't practical for the numerous nappy changes a day and the baby just didn't look comfortable as they tend to ruck up when the baby is sleeping (which they do a lot! just not always at the time that you want to sleep!). It might be a boy/girl thing though as I can imagine boys outfits being slightly more practical but baby's in dresses didn't work for us.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone

I found that dd lived in sleepsuits and body suits at the beginning. They have so much time for outfits and they look so cute in babygros in the beginning. Also last summer it was so hot that she pretty much lived in short sleeve body suits. I agree that unless you have a small baby newborn doesn't last long but they were much needed in the beginning.
It was a while before we used the gro bags which we now use religiously, you will need some breathable cellular blankets to start. Other than that they shouldn't need much in summer. Except for a lot of muslins!

Everyone keeps saying you need muslins... Naive first timer here - what do you use muslins for?!

Re clothes I was planning on just getting 0-3m and rolling sleeves up so can get most use out of them with maybe couple of newborn sleepsuits for very first days.

Another question - what are bodysuits used for? Layering? I am so confused by all the different types of clothes!

9+5

want you use muslins for everything. Mop up sick, stopping breastmilk spraying everywhere, as a bib if bottle feeding. Their use is only limited by imagination! Much easier than using wipes so always handy to have around but they do get mucky very quickly so you need a few!

I get confused by all the different names for baby clothes. I assume bodysuits are vests (the things with long or short sleeves that popper up with no legs). If so yes these are for layering. Might not be such an issue with summer babies (dd1 is a winter baby so a lot of layering was needed).

One thing to look for in sleepsuits is built in scratch mits. So much easier than trying to use separate ones as they just don't stay on and babies are prone to scratching their faces and their nails grow so quickly.

miss, I'd agree in not buying shed loads of newborn stuff. If it's a hot July, you'll be wanting loose baggy clothing and so 0-3 vests or sleepsuits would be great. We didn't put our dd in a grobag until she was about four months - I didn't think it was recommended until they are a but older - we started swaddling with cellular blankets instead. Only thing to remember is that babies can't control their own body temperatures like we can so layering of sorts is still important, regardless of season.

want, muslins are great for everything. You'll wonder how you ever lived without them! Dd wasn't a sicky baby at all but they still had tons of uses.

Thanks nature! Really helpful :) no idea how new mums are meant to know all these things without being told baby shopping is a minefield to me!

Anyone else abnormally anxious about telling work? At least I assume that's what it is about. I can't sleep properly and keep having nightmares. I wake up with heart pounding, that butterfly feeling when you are really nervous about something and a dodgy tummy to boot. Nothing to pinpoint exactly except retuning to work after Xmas and telling them seems to make me feel worse. A couple of years ago I used to get anxious so much that I couldn't leave house and drive down the road without having a near meltdown. Anxiety was never diagnosed as I didn't go I doctor about it but it was a v bleak time for me and it feels like the same thing is happening again, the same nervousness feeling that I can't shake. I did have alternative therapy at the time which helped but it was free as a friend of family was training an can't afford tht now. I would feel v silly going to doctor though if it's nothing and jut newly pregnant nerves/hormones etc. also don't want to worry DH as he knows how hard it was for me last time and he took full brunt of it. I wasn't near parents then so don't think they realised that I actually was finding it hard to cope. :S

Pressed post too soon! Grr.

One thing to look for is the vests - short sleeves, no legs - with folds on the shoulders. Essential for explosive nappies as they allow you to pull the vest down over baby's shoulders and tummy rather than having to pull it (complete with pooey spillage) over his/her head

Haha broody that sounds like a definite need to know!

want that sounds quite severe anxiety to me What is it you're worried about when you tell them? That they'll treat you differently? Cut you out? I was v concerned about that with dd (it was an odd little company, v quirky and clicquey, iykwim?) but they were v good to me and were quite accommodating. When I returned, it was a different story but let's nt go there now...

broody I think that yes they will treat me differently but also before I stopped for Xmas work was tough - got called into mtg with top manager who told me I had screwed up, and then there was some issues wih me taking time back from doing overtime (thy didn't want me to even though they had let me in past) and I have a mtg when I go back to discuss my working hours so think I am worried that being pregnant on top of that will make it all worse. I am dreading the mtg about working hours! Think it is just all that and being pregnant. I also hate being centre of attention And everyone I work with is late 50s so none of them having babies, I will be the only one! Argh I don't know, it sounds less bad when I write it down

Want I really would go to the doctors with your anxiety concerns. Maybe a little bit of counselling could help? You've got a lot on your plate.

Want I think you should tell your GP how you feel. Pregnancy can really bring on some strong hormones and if you are feeling anxious, this can get exaggerated. They really can help!

I suffer with anxiety myself (although fine at the moment) and I also was diagnosed with OCD but it only becomes bad when I am stressed out or hormonal. I have had a mental health assessment, so they are aware should I start going downhill but not realise it myself.

My partner is also aware which is reassuring.

They won't start doing anything you don't want, and sometimes just talking about it really is enough!

misseskimo my son was 9lb when born and 57cm long, he was too big for Newborn so all that stuff was returned - my daughter was shorter but 8lb 2oz and Newborn was fine for her for a few weeks.
I don't go on weight, more length but I guess there is no guide for that.

If you are tall or your partner, i'd go straight for 0-3, having grows which are slightly big won't hurt.

Finding the nausea really difficult some days, last night had dinner and spent about an hour thinking I was going to throw it back up! Haven't been physically sick for about 2 weeks now, but the nausea is constant. The only thing I find that helps is strawberry flavour extra chewing gum.

My bump is obvious today, someone pointed it out earlier

9+4 (scan) 10+4 (dates)

Thanks for your advice ladies, will see how I feel today and maybe ask my mum about it later. I could go to docs next week of need be as I am of work with no plans. Thing is on my pg notes I put no for history of anxiety as I thought that as I hadn't been diagnosed it didn't matter and mum said I didnt need to mention it! I think she was honking along lines of why have the MH intervention if you don't need it kind of thing.

Thinking not honking! Stupid autocorrect :)

Want

I think it is really important to mention it.
If you leave it, you may become anxious about mentioning it if that makes sense, and it ends up a vicious circle.

You can always vent to us ladies, but I really do think your MW or GP can help.

Perhaps just call and say you weren't sure it applied but have been feeling anxious, honestly I promise you will feel so much better when you do x

Having head MH issues in the past, I found counselling invaluable. I felt a bit silly asking for help as my issues were (in the grand scheme of things) minor. However, I was taken very seriously, in a completely non-judgemental way. I have no idea how just talking helps but it made a phenomenal difference.

Ah yes, I remember you mentioning work issues want. I can completely understand your fears because it's such a worrying time with baby's health without putting work into the equation. I've always had paranoia and when I get pg, I get way worse and things get on top of me. When are you next seeing your mw? I'm guessing early feb, for the 15 week bloods, like me? I'd maybe get in touch with your GP if you're not seeing her before then and mention that you're becoming anxious and explain everything you just have to us earlier. These threads are a god send and I'm sure I speak to everyone here when I say we are here for you but sometimes speaking to someone in RL is a bit more helpful? Everyone talks about post natal depression but it's just as common to have it before baby comes as well; I'm not saying your anxiety could lead to anything like that but something you may be need to keep an eye on before it all festers and gets on top of you xx

Thanks for all the advice RE: baby clothes ladies! I have just checked out on Mothercare with a mixture of unisex newborn, 0-3m and 6-9m babygros in a mixture of short and long sleeved, a few "all in ones" plus some other tit bits like socks/bibs etc. worked out at 20 bodysuits, 5 all-in-one sets, 1 grobag, 8pairs of socks and some hat&mittens set for just over £80. So bar getting a few vests and leggings nearer the time, we should be set clothes wise for first 9m :) we thought this was a good price, but I'm sure someone will tell me I still spent too much downside to being first time parents I suppose! hehe.

On another note, DH rang me about an hour ago to say his work have let them home early, so he should be home any minute. So I got him to ring his Dsis and Parents and ask if their free this afternoon last minute to bring xmas presents over because he's home so early, and they've all said yes! So now we'll be able to make out announcements f2f this side of the NY! I'm super nervous though! They'll be the first people to know other than our bosses!! Wish me luck!

miss sounds like you've been busy! Did you get any 3-6 month items?

How exciting miss! I was more nervous telling my dad, just felt really weird telling him - like we're admitting we dtd ha ha ha xxx

Am sure you're all up to better things but John Lewis sale is on. Baby clothes, nursery furniture, maternity wear and even Bugaboos.

Merry Christmas y'all!

hi ladies need some support my partner has left me and im now on my own with my 2 kids previous relationship and a baby on the way so scared xxx

Hi all, I spoke to my mum and she reminded me that at work we have a free 1:1 counselling/coaching service for those with stress. It is with an occupational earth doctor. So if feel crap when I return to work I will self refer. My mm said she self referred a few months back - I had no idea! I thought she was super resilient but I spose it proves can happen to anyone.

All Xmas prep done an now off to bed early.

Merry Christmas to all you lovely lot!

Welcome linseyd we are all here for you, when are you due?