Jan 2016 #5 - Scanxiety, sickness and sweet relief as we approach the second trimester!

[TeenieDeenie]

STATS

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12-46WHExOXbKsKon2nKyEth9RRyKw9paIw4V4SGTFE8/edit?usp=sharing

We bought loads second hand Orange, the only things that absolutely HAVE to be new are the car seat and mattress.

We bought a second hand cotbed, I guess your mum has a point but there is some common sense involved too iykwim? The cotbed we bought was a mamas and papas one, and only a few years old so we had no worries. If you bought a Chinese one (hope no one offended, I know from work that Chinese products can be guilty of toxic paints) or one that was a hundred years old when they still used lead paint then it could be a risk. As it happens the one we bought had a few tooth marks on the edges - kids do that - and DH sanded the whole thing down and re-varnished it so it looked like new. We also bought new teething rails (plastic bits to protect both the cot and babies teeth!).

Bottles are another thing I would be hesitant to buy second hand, I would consider second hand bottles with new teats from someone I knew but I think that's mainly just a personal thing. We had a second-hand pram and saved over £500 and no one knew!

bee and sleepy thanks for your insight!!!
bee good point about off road terrain I live by the canal would like to go walks and it's not paved etc thanks for that

orangebeehive the best thing ever for us was the jumperoo but they're silly expensive and crop up loads for about 40 quid on Facebook selling sites etc usually good as new because they're only in them for a few months. The seat cover can be washed and everything else anti bac wiped and I made sure from a smoke free home. We were going to get a second hand cot from eBay (not sure we'll bother with moses basket this time as ds outgrew his in seconds and we've room-just-in our bedroom for a cot. Hadn't thought about treatments etc but that's something to look out for I guess! Maybe look for manufacturers label or stamp as that'll show it hasn't been covered by varnish?

missmartin I use pocket nappies during the day which you stuff with as many absorbant inserts you need and have the waterproof cover sewn on. They do up with velcro or poppers so if you pre stuff a load you can grab and put on just like a disposable. At night I use shaped bamboo nappies so again, just like a disposable but all of the nappy is made of absorbant material so you put a waterproof wrap on top. My day nappies are 'birth to potty' so they change size with poppers along the front to grow with baby (though usually not for a very new baby hence me hiring a newborn kit to tide over the first few weeks, still works out cheaper than disposables! ). Liners in nappies catch all the poo to flush down loo, bung nappy in mesh bag hanging in lidded bucket, then just lift whole mesh bag out of bucket and into wash every 2-3 days. There are loads of different styles of nappies that suit different needs and can be overwhelming but if you're interested then try googling nappy library network to see if there's one near you. Can also recommend the nappy lady website for her advice pages.

Phew that was a long one sorry everyone else!

misschatty basically mud and sticks got caught around the small wheels making the whole thing stick and impossible to push, I had a quick look online and that part of the design of the surf doesn't seem to have changed

In terms of new vs not new. I tended to invest in most of it, but we are planning 3 dcs, so I wanted sturdy things to last all babies. But, you really don't need to.

I'd agree to get a new mattress (for Moses if you buy one, cot plus pram) but that's probably it tbh. The rest is up to you.

Local buy/sell sites are great (there are baby specific ones) plus obvs eBay. NCT also do nearly new sales, but I've not actually been to one so not sure how good they are.

Also, if you know people with babies they will give you loads of stuff!

I was really lucky last time as grandparents bought us a travel system, car seat, cot bed and changing table, so we were pretty much sorted with the big stuff. You're inundated with clothes when they arrive too so keep your clothing purchases to a minimum. People I didn't even know bought dd stuff! My mums friends etc

Oh all this shopping chat is making me excited now!!! I think we'll wait a little longer but did get a couple of things from aldi at the baby event. We've already been offered loads of stuff from friends so hoping that continues!!

Quick question...is it even possible to have a bump at 11 weeks? I feel like I'm already getting one but not sure if it's still bloat - it's there in the morning and evening. Perhaps as I'm so short (5 ft 3) it has nowhere to go? Or perhaps it's just bloat?!

My tiredness has ramped up but nausea decreased thankfully. How's everyone else feeling at the moment?

Moonshine you seem to peg me for symptoms every week. I'm just the same - much less nausea, but still tired (with big energy boosts in between now though - amazing!). I too have a wee bump, hence my shopping for clothes in a size up today to get me through my last week of work.

Been reading all these posts about cots and buggies, I'm going back to burying my head in the sand for a while longer!

I really like nappy bins and we have two. Both were £1 from eBay and charity shop. The cassettes are quite expensive (about £3 each) but I think they're really useful. I wouldn't buy new (about £25!)

I would also buy second hand rockers or swings, but only if the cover will go through the wash. Same with activity mats.

eBay local is very useful for baby stuff- I got a mothercare changing table for £12 which was very useful. And baby baths are extortionately expensive for what they are.

For number 2, my shopping list is quite short. Decent sling, new bottle teats,

...

new socks (!) and new changing mat. And possibly new babygros. I packed dd's away whilst so sleep deprived that I have no idea how horribly stained they are.

Oh b&w cat, that's interesting that we're feeling the same, I like having a symptom buddy! I think I'm a week behind you but have my scan on Friday so I'll see if my EDD changes. I've had to have naps every day this weekend which is so unlike me but very much needed.

I'm hoping that we will have enough clothes, even for twins, as we had tonnes for DS. I hardly bought any but people are incredibly generous. I will probably buy some small babygrows as expect twins to be tiny - actually with DS I had to buy some smaller stuff as people tend not to buy newborn. He was average weight 7lb 3oz but still the "newborn" size was large on him.

Other that that we have loads to buy, none of our existing stuff is suitable for twins - DS had an amazing lie-flat car seat rather than a standard infant carrier but it's not possible to fit two in the car. I loved his pram - iCandy Cherry but it doesn't adapt to fit two. We will need at least one more cot, possibly two but depends on when DS moves out of his (he has the bars off but still uses it as a bed and I'm reluctant to move him). Have been advised that two swings/rocking seats are invaluable with twins so will need to buy another. Will need to buy a new steriliser as ours broke and stacks of bottles - we chucked our old ones as they were rather worn and we never liked them much. Am desperately hoping to breastfeed and hoping to stay in hospital till well established but had an awful time of it with DS and not confident or helpful of my ability to BF twins.

We use cloth nappies, might need a few more. Guess certain things we only have one in each size, like snowsuits, we will need to buy more of. Possibly more sleeping bags though we have a few of those.

Am scared tbh, we were financially (&emotionally &physically) prepared for another baby, not so much for two...

Babybaby shall we form an orderly queue to buy up the stuff you're not going to be able to use?

Moonshine it strikes me every time how similar we are! My naps have been really deep this weekend. Also I woke up in the early hours dreaming I heard the baby cry (in the right room, too), thinking, if he cries again I'll get up and go and see him. Then realised he/she is still in my tummy! I'll be spooked if you get the same dream.

I won't be buying anything for the baby until the third trimester. I'll also probably get new as this is our first and we're hoping for another.

Blackandwhite

My list for number 2 is very short too. More bibs, and a better bouncy chair/rocker (ours was very upright and she hated it).

That's it!

Oh and I fancy a co-sleeper cot. Does anyone know if NCT ever reintroduced them after that awful incident with the baby which made them withdraw it?

Thanks for your advice everyone - think I'll get new pram/car seat (DM has already offered to buy these!), bedding and mattresses, clothing (not much as expect we'll get bought a lot) and possibly Moses basket; and then buy second hand cot frame, high chair, baby monitor, steriliser and other essentials as and when. Can't decide on sling / papoose - don't really want to spend a lot of money in case baby doesn't take to them, but also think good quality is important as the baby's safety relies on it - like the car seat I guess.

My best friend has offered me her old Jumperoo and she has a brand new Mothercare bouncer for us as well as lots of books and toys. This is going to be one spoilt baby!

Moonshine-I too have a bump. It's really noticeable and I'm 11.5 weeks now, ridiculous really, but I was the same last time.

I've only told my mum and best friend. Seeing my dad on Weds and not planning on telling him until the scan. I like having our own little secret!! But getting increasingly tricky, I look like I've just been eating pies.

Orange-there are sling library's you can try when your bundle arrives. Slings are quite personal depending on your baby and body shape - I struggled with one particular type when dd was very little but she grew into it and we love it now. You could end up spending a fortune, so best to try before you buy which library's let you do.

B&Wcat, I've been having such vivid dreams too - dreamt the other day I was having triplets! I'll definitely let you know if I have the same dream as you - that would be so odd!!

Oh tonic, glad to hear that we're not the odd ones out, this is my first so I thought it would happen later though!

Are you both short or tall if you don't mind me asking?

moonshine and b&w snap! Sleeping loads, nowhere near as sick, and little bump .... although think bump is just internal organs being squished out of the way!

Tonic sling libraries? I had no idea there was such a thing! How amazing. Thank you, that's a really helpful tip. I'll find one near me

aliquid Oh interesting, i don't think there for me because I'm lazy hehe

i bought a pram already... its second hand in really good condition but ive changed my mind on it so were going to sell it on ebay then get the wayfarer .. it was an amazing bargin was around £800 new and we got the whole travel system and isofix bar ect for £125 ..
ive also bought the nursery set as i couldn't not as it was an amazing bargin.. cotbed.. changer and wardrobe £79 all brand new hehe

Oooohhh scan in the morning and so so so nervous!!! What if i imagined it all and there is nothing in there!!!

Oh and reference bump .... I know its not really possible but I swear I've got a bump at 12+2 ..... Even MIL commented on it tonight

Moonshine-I'm 5 ft 6 and size 10/12 normally. So not super skinny but I have no stomach muscles (have always had a paunch around my middle) which may explain early bumps. Or may be just how I'm made.

I normally bloat a lot during period anyway so not unsurprising really.