July 2015 - we are nearing the halfway point!

[Fattycow]

We are already nearing the halfway point! Some of us have already reached the 20 weeks, the rest will follow suit. Let the countdowns begin!

Here is the stats list, please update them with your scan dates and the sex of you baby (if you know it):
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p3idkH2TaQYAy22I_N73k1_-G6Ezq67lAdhQvDjQkU0/edit?pli=1#gid=0

With you on the blanket overload penny! I absolutely love blankets and it was my obsession last time, plus my mum is an ace knitter so had quite a few from her too. She's already done a gorgeous crocheted blanket for this one.

joy, I had the Medela - it's a great investment

I'm looking a bit more pregnant now, which I'm thrilled with obviously. Much better than that podgey phase!

Naturegirl I have spoken to a few people who have had close age gaps in the past and they have all needed double buggies though a couple hoped not to and only got them after number 2 came along. At 16 months our dd is currently obsessed with the buggy, it's all she ever wants to do so there is no way we will be able to drop it in 4 months. It probably depends on the child though, maybe yours will be ok and some people just use a sling for number 2 for a while.

A dc2 list is a good idea, I have bought nothing so far but I guess as you say, nappies, wipes, creams and dummies is a good start. Can't think of much else at the moment.

Hi I've not posted in a while. Tbh I was put off posting here because there are so many of you I found my post was getting swallowed up and no one acknowledged what I said.

I'm also struggling with boy names. We have a surname that is so normal and commonplace, but it turns out it's a nightmare for naming babies! Everything sounds like an advert.

I hadn't heard about link between travel system and SIDS - that scares me as another thing to worry about :(. What age are you meant to give up travel system then? I was planning to use it until baby grows out of it.

I'm 21+5 and my baby is very active which is nice. I had to buy another maternity bra yesterday as I was measured and I've gone up another 2 cups

Lala, it's not so much when they grow out of it but how long they sleep in there at any one time when they are little. Tbh though I used to leave dd to sleep in the buggy and also the car sear (but less) because I didn't want to disturb her. I would just check on her alot and I am a born worrier who is still using 2 monitors at 16 months!

lala I wouldn't worry too much. I think a lot of the advice is purely there to scare us. my DS slept in his buggy when he was newborn as I didn't have a moses basket for the firat couple of weeks. midwives and health visitors never said.a thing about it. my DD also sleeps in her pram if she falls asleep. I let them sleep where they fall. in the car seat not for too long as its not good for them to be in the car seat for more than a couple of hours at a time due to posture and position I think. all I know is they can look quite uncomfy sometimes.
I will also be using a double nature as I know full well my DD will not be walking everywhere at that age (she will be 19 months) she is too curious and would stop to pick all the rubbish up off the floor constantly or her legs would get tired as she is a tidge. (not long grown into 9-12 month clothing)
I suppose it depends on the child and you know tours and how they would cope best. I was very lucky. my mum bought my tandem for me. I have the graco stadium tandem. its really light even with DD in the front and unlike a lot of tandems the front seat reclines a bit so if she did drop off she wouldn't be so uncomfortable. and basket is huge which is a must for me as I dont drive and need to carry my shopping home

Thought this seemed a really interesting thing to do this year for Mothers' Day. A Facebook friend posted this link: wearechasingzero.org/mothers-day-card/

Donation to a charity supporting pregnant woman in Malawi through antenatal care and birth.

Better than another Amazon voucher or yet another chiffon scarf (my go-to pressies for my mum!)

Hello everyone. I am trailing at 19+5. 20 week scan on Wednesday and I can't wait to find out the sex. It will also be the first scan for DH to see ou baby. I have put off getting anything for the baby just in case the anomaly scan shows a problem.
Lala - I would't worry - there are far more dangerous things than a travel system just be grateful for any sleep....
This is a very active little wriggler and I have had a few Braxton Hicks tightenings. I had a lot in my first pregnancy but surprised that they have started so early. Anyone else have BH?

I see! So it's more about how long you leave them in it. Thank you! I was going to limit use to when out and about, then transfer to snuzpod or swing chair in house.

Really need to start reading books...

I ended up using a sling with DD for quite some time (and still do) so will probably do the same with this one. DD has been walking since 7.5 months and would much rather be out than in her pushchair. She managed to walk about 1.5 miles yesterday with no problems (at 13 months old). I'll be getting a buggy board and rumble seat so will just see how I get on with that to start with I guess. I've got her some reins to try and keep her a little more under control!

lala I think the recommendation is 2 hours at a time for a car seat (I think best check this though). Although the occasional longer duration shouldn't be a problem. It's because of the way they are seated in some it reduces the lung capacity. The carry cot or pram seat if suitable from birth shouldn't cause any problems. I think they say it's a sids risk with travel systems because the baby is transferred from car to stroller base then back to car so can end up being in there for quite some time if you are not aware. I think it was more of an issue when the car seat was sold as the newborn seat for the travel system rather than a carrycot.

I have reins for DD and she sometimes is allowed to walk to the shop (which is how I know she likes to tell mama about the dirty!) as I said its what works best for you and your family. it sounds like you have a plan. and like your DD is up for it so why not

I tried reins for DS. He hated them and used to sit down or twist about the second they were on so completely waste of 10 pounds. A try before you buy item imo.

fatty DD was trying out some matrix style moves in them yesterday! She loved leaning into them and hovering over the floor haha! I figured they were worth trying and they only cost £5 so not much to loose but she was fine in them. Yep I'll stick to my plan and if the worst comes to it and I realise I do need a double I can always get one afterwards.

Hi all

Just checking in. We are on our way out to swimming.

It is raining heavily here in Scotland so our planned walk to the loch with our dog is now cancelled !

Nice to here from you all and to here that everyone is feeling good. I think we may experience a lull towards the end so have to make the most of this time. I'm just pleased to be feeling 'normal'!

Will reply later ladies.

Have a nice day.

We are having glorious sunshine here today, which is excellent!

Also, my baby is happily kicking away.

Wonderful, isn't it, fattycow - the movements are regularly making me go all mushy at the moment!

I am pleased to hear that I am not the only one trying to avoid buying a double buggy! I was planning on using a sling for DC2 & keeping DC1 in the pushchair/on his feet. Might look at buggy boards too though.
Lala, I also let DC1 sleep in his pushchair and just keep an eye on him. Try not to go more then 2/2.5 hours in car seat though.
Enjoy the scan on Wednesday Olympic!
I am still not feeling much movement but this apparently because I have an anterior placenta. Only really feel anything if I am lying on my stomach a little bit.
And yes, a DC2 list would be good!

A buggy board is really useful when you have 2!

la, carseats are supposed to be used for traveling. Of course your little one can have a nap in it when you are out and about and don't have anywhere else for them to sleep. But as others have said, no longer than 2 hours in the seat and preferably take a break from it every hour.

Lala As others have said, the SIDS risk isn't the travel system per se but the length of time spent in a car seat. The maximum time a baby should be in a car seat, whether in the car or in the pram is set to 2 hours due to the position the baby is forced into when sat in one. They can't lift their heads and so their airways are under more pressure, which leads to oxygen depletion in the blood stream. I do think that the convenience of travel systems is sold very strongly without this being explained adequately. Babies need (supervised) tummy time and to lie flat when sleeping. As a consequence, we've bought a lie flat car seat (normal car seat whilst travelling but lies flat when used with the pram). Seems like a sensible compromise. There are a few on the market.

Hi All
Also not posted much but its nice to read about other people at the same stage. Scan next week so not not done any shopping etc just yet, but also planning what I need to get / do differently for DC2! Top of my list is ditching the moses basket and getting a co-sleeper crib (chicco one, i think) and a sleepyhead (got a 2nd hand one for 20 from Facebook selling pages!), possibly a new buggy that will work better with a buggy board (ancient bugaboo cam is looking a bit tired and rickety and I'd quite like to treat myself! Looking at either a new bugaboo cam, a Vista or an Oyster), a Connecta sling to replace cheapo one from last time, instead of a baby bath I'll get another one of those bath supports made out of a giant sponge. Also also stock up on water wipes (instead of cotton wool), gripe water/infacol, lasinoh nipple cream, a new snot stucker and a new changing mat as ours has disintegrated. Other than that, I'm sure I'll buy some new clothes regardless of gender and I think we are all set. Oh, and a collection of new little toys etc to entertain DC2!
Looking forward to scan day and finding out the sex!

The sun eventually shone in Scotland today :)
It is great seeing the light nights coming in and being able to get outdoors more, DC2 getting to play out with friends again. It has been a long winter.

Thanks for info re travel system/sids Zampa I have never saw a 'lie flat' car seat, will have a look now.

Swimming was good if v tiring, I want to keep up some sort of exercise. My sil has the Davina McCall ante-natal fitness dvd that she keeps saying she will give me, if I don't get it from her soon I will order either that or the Erin O'Brien workout 1 from amazon and report back on either of them as soon as I try them out for anyone who is interested.

Lost I too have less movement than I'd like and an anterior placenta :( I am starting to get a pattern but do have to be lying down to feel most movement. Hence why the doppler has been efficient for me/us in reducing worry! I'm glad we got one.

Good luck to all you having scans this week.

Arete We have pre-ordered the new Cybex Cloud Q and Kiddy do a range of lie flat seats which are Which recommended. There are some others too but can't remember them at the moment.

Oh, are waterwipes ok for newborns then? Ive bought some cotton wool, but wipes would be handy for going out.

Hi everyone

I don't post often, but I do keep up with what's going on. I'll try to post more often.

Totally agree with girls name being easier. We're aged on girls name, in fact dh refuses to hear any other suggestions now. But we don't agree on any boys names... the only one we agreed on has just been used by a close friend! I need to convince dh to start a list.

I keep forgetting to do pelvic floor exercises & when I do remember I'm not convinced I'm doing then right I'm really missing exercise, I haven't done anything (other than walking) since 14 weeks. Don't feel like I want to go back to my normal exercise (too bouncy!). Might go swimming, but would need to buy a new costume. Broke myself back in gently today with a 20 minute fitness class on YouTube.. There's lots on there if you want to avoid buying a dvd . Just got to stop myself being so lazy

Sherb 22+1