April 2015 thread 7: Our viable, wriggling bumps have us walking belly-first into the new year!

[BrixtonBunny]

New thread xx

I would really recommended trying to get to a sling library and trying out a stretch wrap kismac, they are great for baby and you and really easy once you get the hang of them. Plus as long as it's not too warm you can leave them on and just pop baby in and out as needed

The other thing I've heard about baby carriers is that it's best to wait until you have an actual baby to test the slings out with... your shape and the baby's shape often have a greater effect on what works than the individual brand or make. There are sling banks/libraries dotted around the country, and there's a thing called Sling Meet - www.babywearing.co.uk/sling-meet/ - plus Which? have got a whole section on picking a safe/comfortable sling - www.which.co.uk/baby-and-child/baby-transport/guides/choosing-a-sling-or-baby-carrier/

Don't shave your stomach unless you want to have to do it forever lol! If you have to do something wax or epilate as the hair shouldn't grow back thicker.

Thanks! Doesn't look like there is a sling library near me but I've found a Babywearing Facebook group that might be able to help.

Trying to kept up with this thread but it's hard! Ha ha. Catsofa, I've just read your post where you say you have an elderly cat and are expecting your first baby. I'm expecting my first too. I have a cat who is 3, have had him from a kitten. Have heard mixed messages from different people that say to me, "Oh you must be careful with the cat when the baby comes." Or.. "I don't know what you're going to do about the cat when the baby's here." I wasn't expecting to do anything? I've also heard that cats have a tendency to jump into the cot and incidentally cause suffocation! It's scaring me thinking about all of these things. Obviously we will have baby in our room and will close the door at night so the cat can't come in. What are your thoughts? X

rosey I have a cat as well and expecting my 1st baby. I hope he will be ok, he had a vets appointment this week and I asked the vet for tips they said set things up in advance I.e cot, pram etc so that the cat gets used to them. You can buy cat nets but I'm not sure how effective they are.

Cat wise I have two large ragdoll cats. I'm confident that with a lot lf effort on my part I can integrate them well with our first baby.

Things like when the baby stuff arrives get a cloth and rub it with their scent (glands near face) then rub the cloth over the new baby items. Cats don't like massive changes to their environment so slowly adding things helps.

Also play baby crying sounds so they get used to the noise.

Interesting to read about cats. We have a siamese. We will get a cat net. I've played her some baby crying noises-she looks concerned when she hears the crying. We have got some Feliway plug ins too. She's quite anxious anyway. She's a lovely cat and I can't wait for her and the baby to meet.

My cat is elderly and easily confused, plus when the baby comes we will probably have just moved house, so I'm not sure I want to shut the cat out of our bedroom 'cos I think she'll panic at 4am every night and wail until someone comes and gets her and shows her where I am.

She's too arthritic to jump into a cot though, and can barely manage to get up on my bed either without the box I keep at the end of the bed to help her. So I think we'll probably be able to evict her from the bed, and I'll get an electric heated pad for her to sleep on somewhere nearby instead.

She is a massive cuddle monster though, and has been my child substitute for many years, so I hope I still have time for plenty of cat snuggles after the baby is born!

I did play her some baby crying noises but she just went to sleep, whereas they made me feel quite stressed out!

Kismac the Ergo is a great carrier, just be aware that you need a newborn insert for it when the baby is very small. If you get a Manduca, I got mine from Kiddicare then the infant insert is included in the carrier. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a BabyBjorn carrier as they aren't as comfortable for mum and baby as wide based carriers and there is the risk of hip dysplasia with all narrow based carriers.

Thanks all there's some good ideas! He can be a little bugger but he's a boy so can be boisterous and playful. But also very loving. My partner has a 5 year old so she was around 2 and a half when we got him, he's never taken to her very well which sounds awful but I've always known that they have a love hate relationship and I think it's mainly because she teases him. And it sounds silly but her mums family haven't owned a cat so I don't think she knew how to be around one, if that makes sense? And I think he sensed that! Probably sounds daft!

We defo wouldn't have been able to have our late cat and DD at same time. He was such a jealous old dear and we used to let him sleep in our bed with us (I look back now and think WTF?!).

Changing bags - as a fan of the sling over buggy I found I quite quickly moved to a rucksack. Also it was quite heavy in itself even when empty it was one of those (overpriced IMHO) mama et bebe ones by Pink Lining they sell them at Peter Jones. I used to see them and laugh at the price as then got one as a present.

I think the bags are useful if you're bottle feeding as they have clever compartments and whatnot. I wasn't so all I needed was foldout mat, wipes, nappies, nappy sacks and changes of clothes and muslins. In the end I bought a large wash bag thing from cath kidston and slung that either into rucksack or under buggy depending on which mode of transport we were going for on the day.

re Baby Carriers, DH shoed me a video he saw on facebook the other day. I can't find the exact once because I'm not on facebook but it was basically how to make a baby sling. here's the link if anyones interested.

Might be a good idea if strapped for cash. we're not too bad and could buy something but i'm quiet frugal and usually figure why spend more than I have to.

Not sure about sleeping arrangements. someone mentioned earlier about the bednest and it's a good idea and i've had a look at renting one but not sure it would suit due to the bed we have. it's an IKEA Ottoman so has a ledge all the way round so the crib couldn't go right next to the mattress. i do like the idea of being able to see them though whilst your lying down. might look at others as they are rather pricey.

Annia glad it's not just my belly that seems hairier than usual. Girl at work told me not to shave it though because hers hasn't gone back to normal after baby so mines a little fuzzy .

Just caught up with rest of thread. Pregnancy=senile

cinammon I had my 24w appt already and they didn't measure me. Yes, by the evening it seems like the belly's really straining, doesn't it?

boo OH is getting me a ball for Xmas-it's just an exercise one. Is yours a specific one?

penguin OH has been relegated to spare room! My friend gave me her breastfeeding pillow. It's a v shaped pillow from John Lewis. I used it to sleep with last night and had a much better sleep so that might be an idea?

hope you ladies don't mind but I fancy a little moan.
Went to my nans today (the one that insits on telling me im massive) and I told her about our cat going missing, her response, "oh good, you only need to get rid of the dog now and you'll be fine"
I nearly burst into tears there and then. I get that she's not an animal lover but I couldn't believe she said that about my gorgeous cat! I got quite annoyed and told her that if she didn't have anything nice to say she shouldn't say anything at all. I grew up surrounded by animals and I turned out ok! and also that did she think people should just dispose of their animals just because they have a baby?! I was really annoyed and she didn't seem to get it. Why would I get rid of my 8 month old puppy just because I'm having a baby, we chose to have a dog join our family and then chose to have a baby. I personally think it will be great for our son to grow up with a 4 legged companion.

phew, i did go on a bit there, sorry. I was just so upset and feel like crying now just remembering that she said it, God she enrages me sometimes!

On the other hand she did knit this little cardigan from santa so she's not all bad....

Afternoon everyone

Changing bags - I never got one for DD, I did however get a travel change mat with built in pockets for nappies and wipes (a Skip Hop Pronto) which lives in the buggy and has been very useful. I also have a big canvas bag with a long strap that goes over the buggy handles, useful for chucking spare clothes, snacks, water cup, tissues, small toys etc in. Brixton a backpack would work ok with some buggies' handles (with a buggy buddy clip) but perhaps not so well with others so consider bags once you've chosen your buggy I'd say.

Cats - we don't have one but friends do, the advice from them is that cat nets are useless! apparently they are too stretchy so cats like to use them as hammocks . But cats generally leave the baby alone anyway, they say...

Baby carriers - I gather baby bjorns are really uncomfy after about 8 weeks. Ergo gets great reviews but they are large (so not ideal if you're petite) and you need a newborn insert. I have bought a Beco Gemini, hoping it will be the best of both worlds! Manducas look good too.

Moses baskets - I borrowed one for DD and barely used it - she slept on me for ages then into cot at 4 months, the few weeks she was in the basket were the worst sleep wise. This time I've got a second hand Sleepyhead to put in the bed with me then in cot... fingers crossed it helps... We can also take the side off our cot and put it next to our bed so may try that.

Can anyone tell me about swaddling and swaddle pods? It never worked with DD as she'd got used to having arms free during her time in hospital, but would like to try with DD2.

Minipie, you mean the health assistants on the ward didn't constantly come round and rewrap your baby in a billion blankets even though it was a thousand degrees on the ward?

God, Hiding sorry about your cat; your Gran sounds like she's after an argument. Or she's got some sort of anger issues and she's off loading on you!

lauren yup she had vest, babygro, wool cardi and hat, cotton sheet and two wool blankets tucked in tight... oh and a heat mat for the first few days... and it was a million billion degrees on the ward! but no swaddle so her arms were always up.

hiding hope your cat turns up soon... it does sound like your gran decided to start a fight for some reason. was she disapproving when you got the cat and dog or is this just a recent thing?

Ahh my DD got swaddled in a blanket with another blanket on top. Plus her vest, babygro and hat.

Said DD is now very tired, she ran around all afternoon with her friends and is so not going to make it to bedtime. Already got jammies on and we had to do the Father Christmas preparations early just incase she nods off. She's very grouchy though! Did not want to watch Muppet Christmas Carol but quite happy to watch DHs favourite film Santa Claus the movie!

Debating taking the wreath off the door it's getting very windy out there. Incase I don't get chance to get on again Merry Christmas Ladies x

For the first time in this pregnancy I am really missing a drink! Must be the Christmas factor.