Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Birth clubs

Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

October baby bus take 4! 20wk scans and big pram buying plans!

897 replies

gaggiagirl · 19/05/2015 10:00

Welcome all to the new Fred. FB group runs along side this pm me for details.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Superexcited · 06/08/2015 07:58

I have only got 2 small packs of nappies and each one has 23 in, I didn't even buy them, my mum did (I was also given a nappy cake as a gift and that has a dozen or so nappies in). I really need to get my arse into gear and start buying some of the essential stuff.
On my list this weekend is nappies, breast pads, maternity pads and a pack of bed mats (so the mattress isn't ruined if my waters break at night).

I did the tour of the delivery suite and midwife birthing unit last night so it is all starting to feel a bit real now.

Cineraria · 06/08/2015 11:36

Sorry to hear you're too achy to sit at your sewing machine, Super. Just when you'd be wanting to make something for the baby. At least you got your maternity dress finished though. I made some too but one of them has been sitting around with a couple of pins marking where the hooks and eyes need to go for a couple of weeks, so I should really get on with that.

You all sound really organised with the early nappy shopping. I have just one nappy so far (it was free with one of the Emma's Diary packs!) but we're planning to get a set of reusable ones delivered soon, which should be enough as long as we keep on top of the laundry. I was thinking about getting some disposables to use until the meconium has gone but the ones we're using are cotton and can be washed on high temperatures so I think they'll survive it.

Superexcited · 06/08/2015 11:41

I really don't think I need to make anything for the baby cineraria as my mum has bought way too many things and I don't think baby will get chance to wear half of it.

Just a quick note for anyone who is thinking of having a water birth or using the birthing pool for part of their labour: during the tour last night the midwife said that it was essential to bring a decent sized sieve if you want to use the pool so that they can fish out any unwanted 'debris'. Our hospital don't provide a sieve so you need to bring your own, of course the policy might be different at other hospitals and they might provide them but it is worth checking.

FernGullysWoollyPully · 06/08/2015 13:28

I've got 25 nappies, we're doing cloth too. Apparently sunlight is the best remedy for meconium stains.

jdear · 06/08/2015 15:55

Hello all! Can I join or is it too late? Smile I'm 28 weeks tomorrow with a little girl due on at the end of October.

You all seem very organised with your nappies etc - I haven't got a clue where to start!

Has anyone been experiencing braxton hicks? I've noticed an increase in frequency over the past few weeks but not in intensity/duration. They are completely painless and to be honest most of them I wouldn't even notice if I wasn't obsessively touching my tummy - I am so worried about preterm labour! How many are other people getting?

Superexcited · 06/08/2015 16:07

Never too late to join jdear. I have had loads of braxton hicks for many weeks now and they are always noticeable. Unless they are painful and very regular (ie every 10 minutes) you don't need to worry about them but just mention it to your midwife at your next appointment.

BeautifulBatman · 06/08/2015 16:09

I've had bh a couple of times. No pain but breathtaking constriction. Not fun!

jdear · 06/08/2015 16:11

Thankyou super. I mentioned it to my midwife who basically said what you did. I've had a few more than normal today but not regular so I rang the unit and they said it sounds completely normal and not to worry.

Superexcited · 06/08/2015 16:15

I get up to 5 braxton hicks an hour. Sometimes I don't get any for several hours but I reckon I am averaging 30-40 every day. They are not painful but they are uncomfortably tight especially when I am driving.

jdear · 06/08/2015 16:28

They are a strange sensation aren't they! I always feel my cheeks flush when one happens. Let's just hope we'll all have a super toned uterus and quick delivery ;-)

Superexcited · 06/08/2015 19:54

I have just been to detag the baby clothes ready for washing. Most of the clothing has been bought by my mum. I have counted 16 vests/ bodysuits and 17 sleep suits all in either newborn / 0-3 month size and an absolute mountain of tiny socks. I'm not sure how long my mum thinks the baby is going to be small enough to wear this mountain of clothes. I only planned to buy 8 of each. I think my mum must be totally overexcited (despite having double figures of grandchildren). I have now forbidden her to buy anything else in newborn or 0-3 months.

Cineraria · 06/08/2015 20:33

Ooh good tip about the nappies, Fern, Let's hope for a sunny autumn then! What type of nappies are you going for? We've picked out some prefolds with wraps and someone has persuaded me to try a wool soaker with them too (I find them hard to believe in, though, so I'm only making one).

I get the Braxton Hicks sometimes too, usually quite a few together several times over a day and then none for a few days. They often follow times I've been laughing a lot, so I told DH his job is to line up some good comedy on i-player or something, in case it helps me speed up the labour when it starts.

It's so nice that your mum is still so excited about a new grandchild that she got you lots of clothes for your new arrival, Super. Ours will be my mum's first and she is bubbling over with excitement. She has made two quilts (a bed one for when he's a bit older and a floor mat), knitted two blankets (nice size for the car seat) and is making a crocheted shawl, which I'll use as a receiving blanket. She also gave me some newborn baby clothes she’d kept from when my brother and I were born, including the outfit my brother wore home from the hospital. There are also four tiny brushed cotton nightshirts, which I remembered my brother wearing. On one, I can see the remains of some pink ribbons that had been trimmed away when they were used for him, so I think it must have been mine first! I was planning to make some similar ones as they make changing the baby so easy at night and I couldn’t find any in the shops. They are all in such good condition that either we must have outgrown them quickly or it’s true that they made things to last in those days!

Ymamiss · 06/08/2015 21:51

They sell the nightshirt things in John Lewis... So cute!

We have got loads of nappies in all different sizes, as my mum works in Tesco and managed to get lots of bargains (e.g. The £14 boxes of Pampers for £2.70 each!)...and I have been banned from buying anymore clothes, as we are having a surprise everything is neutral!

Ladypug · 07/08/2015 08:35

Hi all,

Hope everyone is well! I haven't been on for a few weeks as so busy. Can't believe everyone is buying nappies and talking about packing hospital bags, where has the time gone?! I still only own one sleep suit and a pram so need to get my act together! We sold our house this week too, good news but cutting it fine now on moving house in time, eek! My main worry though (and all I've been able to obsess about) is my final injections. I have blood taken, whooping cough and anti-D vaccinations this morning, I'm bricking it :-( utter phobic.once I'm over that hopefully I can enjoy the home stretch!

SoontobeMommyof2 · 07/08/2015 09:10

Morning all, a little late in the day to join but I have been watching for a while.

I'm due 28+6 and due a little boy end of October... haven't even thought about packing my bag till now lol. Second time round and actually can't remember what I took in last time. x

FernGullysWoollyPully · 07/08/2015 11:21

Baby nightshirts? Are they called bundlers? You can get them from M&S too.

Cineraria we've got a few prefolds and a couple of covers to go with them. I'm learning to fold them and use nappi nippas with them, not 100% confident but getting there!

We've also got a few newborn size all in ones, they are so tiny and adorable.

After researching, lots of people say that they suffered leaks from the birth to potty type because the fit is a bit baggy in the leg, apparently the sizing starts at 8lb and if the baby is at the lower end they don't fit well iyswim so I've got some Lil joeys, they have a double gusset and are much smaller than the pockets I've got.

The rest are pocket nappies. I've got a whole host of inserts for them, some microfiber but mostly 5 layer charcoal bamboo. I've heard really good things about them. And I've made my own fleecey wipes and liners.

Welcome soontobe

Trickytricky · 07/08/2015 12:28

Yikes you're all so organised! All I have got so far is a cot and a changing table. I need to order buggy and get on with everything else.

I'm 30 weeks and feel a little behind Hmm

How many sleep suits etc do people advise getting? We're having a surprise. Also can't choose my changing bag. What's everyone else gone with?

SoontobeMommyof2 · 07/08/2015 12:55

Changing bags is a difficult one.. I found one in John Lewis and was lucky enough my Dad brought it for me. They are so pricey xx

Superexcited · 07/08/2015 12:56

Hi tricky. I planned to buy 8 sleep suits and 8 vests but I only bought a couple of each in the end because my mum won't stop buying stuff and I now have 16 of each in a combination of newborn and 0-3 months. I have strictly forbidden her to buy any more clothes in newborn or 0-3 as baby isn't going to get chance to wear them all.
I got the changing bag in a deal with the pram so didn't need to choose one.
We still need to get a changing table / chest of drawers,

BeautifulBatman · 07/08/2015 13:57

Tricky I've gone with the pacapod Jura (in navy to match the pram). I love it, gorgeous bag. Not cheap at £75 but certainly not the most expensive either.

Trickytricky · 07/08/2015 15:23

Beautiful - I was thinking of Pacapod too but then was thinking I may just get a nice bag (which isn't a changing bag) or is that stupid?

Re clothes. What ratio or newborn and 0-3 months should I get? All my family are tall so doubt we'll have a tiny DC...

Superexcited · 07/08/2015 16:27

I think the ratio of newborn and 0-3 is a difficult one because sizes vary from shop to shop. Gap don't do newborn size, they start at 0-3 months. Primark newborn goes up to 7.5lb and are really tiny, debenhams newborn is up to 8lb and mothercare newborn go up to 10lb and are much bigger than primark. So I suppose it depends on where you buy your baby clothes from.
I also wouldn't bank on having a big DC based on the size of family members as you might get a surprise and have a small baby. I am small and all of my family are either small (short) or average size and yet my last baby was almost 10lb.
I have bought mostly 0-3 and only a couple of newborn things (well my mum has bought most of them).

Emma321q · 07/08/2015 18:38

I have now bought a fair few short and long sleeved vests, some sleep suits and a few little tops and trousers. I also have sleeping bags for bed time. What I don't understand is when does he wear the vests? All the time or just under his tops/ trousers?

BeautifulBatman · 07/08/2015 18:49

Tricky - I'm looking forward to when I can use the Jura as my own bag! One of the reasons I chose it. I like it as a bag for me as well as for baby Smile

batfish · 07/08/2015 19:30

Ooh I've got pacapod jura too! Just got it today as my mum has brought it out from the UK for us, love it Smile Got it in grey because pram is black.