February 2016 - Boobs are growing, sickness is going, and some of us are finally showing!!

[jellypi3]

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Hi all

Another lurker and late comer here. Please can I join you all? I've had a bumpy first few months but at 16 weeks and starting to show its probably time to start thinking about having a baby and you all seem a nice friendly bunch to help along the way!

We started looking at stuff for the baby today and decided it's a minefield. How on earth are you meant to work out what you need and how much to spend on it (car seats seamed to range from £30 - £300)? Seems I've got a lot to learn in 5 months. Maybe I should start with just the nappies!

Hi apple - welcome and congratulations

I've always used maxi-cosi car seats and they are great. Get the salesperson in Mothercare of wherever to show you the car seats to suit your car.

It's too hard to figure it out on your own!

I know what you mean making! There's so much out there and it feels like every small purchase requires a good few hours of internet research before it's made. I'm working through the total minefield of travel systems at the moment- it's all very confusing.
My sister has just had her second and I know they bought a mid range price car seat for the baby ages (I think it's the maxi cosy pebble) which worked with their pram and then got a top end car seat at toddler stage (I think safety profiles are more varied at that stage so investing more seemed worth it to them- I will check!).
At least we've got loads of time to play with. I wrote a list of everything I thought would be absolutely essential and my sister looked through it with me and advised removed of about 25% of the stuff on there so I've got a lot to learn too. There's an nct nearly new sale running in our area in November so going to hold out until then and see if I can pick up any basics there and save a few quid.

Anyway- apologies all for my ramblings! And welcome making

carshare would you mind sharing your edited essentials list with us? I don't have a clue where to start and what I actually need. Then maybe the experienced ladies on here can add to it.

This is my "essentials list" i pinched from another AN group i'm on:

Car seat
Car seat base if needed
Pram
Moses Basket/Co-Sleeper /Crib/Cot in Bedroom
Fitted sheets x 2
Matress Protector
Cellular Blankets (3-4)
Short sleeved bodysuits (AKA T-shirts with poppers) - 7-10 in new born and 0-3
Babygros (onesies) - 7-10 in new born and 0-3
Two thin hats
Two thick outdoor hats
3 cardigans
Socks
Something for outside - i.e. snowsuit
BF bras
LANSINOH
Breast pads
Muslins
Sterliser
Changing mat (x2)
Nappies - 2 x size 1 and 2 x size 2
Cotton wool and cotton pads
Baby wipes if you plan to use them
Nappy barrier (i.e. Sudocream)
Nappy rash cream (i.e. Bepanthen or Metanium)
Baby bath and/or bath support
Hooded towels
Sponge
Ear thermometer
Baby scissors
Brush
Dummies
Calpol / Infocol
Baby changing bag

If formula feeding obviously you need to add bottles, bottle brush, formula.

Oh and the nappies thing are disposable packs of nappies, not just two nappies :)

Waves to thread, I've been away for ages, I just don't feel very pregnant at the moment and kind of forgetting about it all - most odd

I've not bought anything yet, we're not going to until the 20 week scan next week, although I think the Volvo that DP bought last week counts - typical man - any excuse to buy a new car!

There's just too much researching for every little purchase, every time I start looking into it I just get analysis paralysis and have to stop. The only thing I've managed to succesfully research so far is which waterproof mascara will be best for labour and first photos (shallow)

Rufus when do you think we need to start thinking about getting the cats ready for the new arrival?

I'd advise against an ear thermometer- they're too big for tiny ears. We use under arm ones until at least 6 months at work (paediatric nurse!)

Morning everyone

Sorry to hear some of you are having a tough time with families. I've been there and gone no contact with a couple of mine and although it's a horrible thing to have to do, ultimately it was the best decision and I feel a lot less stress because of it

Welcome to all the newbies, quite a few recently! apple regarding car seats, definitely get someone at a big store to check what fits in your car safely, not all car seats fit all cars so that's a good starting point. Then think about whether you will leave the seat in the car all the time and just lift baby out, or whether you want a seat that clips onto a buggy frame for walking around the shops etc (I found this invaluable for when they were asleep!). If you want one that clips onto a frame you need to look at which ones work with the travel system that you want - so either go very universal eg the maxi cosi cabriofix or pebble which has adapters for most brands of travel system, or get the car seat specifically designed for the travel system you want.
Personally, we went for the maxi cosi cabriofix last time and will use it again for this baby, I found it easy to use, adaptable and I never had a problem with it.

I've been feeling loads of kicks recently! (18+1 today) it's so strange to think I'm doing all this again. Definitely not as restful as last time round, I've been getting some pain in my back and bum, sciatica I think which in worried about because I have some damage down there from forceps delivery and I can't sit and rest this time so concerned it will get worse and worse

Hope everyone else is well, any scans coming up this week?

Hi everyone, welcome to the newbies

Sorry to all those having family troubles.

My grandma gave me some money last week to buy baby stuff so me and dh went spending yesterday. We were going to wait til after the 20week scan but I just couldn't wait another few weeks lol. We bought:-
Bouncy chair
Play mat
Steriliser set
Bottles
Bath box
Hooded towels
Moses basket mattress
Cot bedding pack
Grobag
Changing mat
Changing bag
Blanket
Sleep pillow
Dummies
Car seat base

We've ordered a Quinny Buzz Xtra with carrycot, footmuff and maxi cosi pebble. We've got a Moses basket, stand and bath from family and a cot bed is also coming from family so we're pretty much ready for a baby . I need a new cot bed mattress. I also need sheets for cot bed, Moses basket and pram and some clothes but I'm waiting til after the scan for those when hopefully we'll know what we're having. Then I think it's just nappies, toiletries etc. I like to be organised

Hope everyone has a good day x

rufus certainly will! Am helping with babysitting at the mo (week off work to spend with my sis on new baby duties- knackered already!) but will post it later. jellies list looks quite similar to mine I think- maybe a few differences. Hope everyone's having a good Tuesday!

TillITookAnArrowToTheKnee
That's very sucky. I had to step away from a friend when she properly went apeshit at me (including a tagged rant about me and "my sort" on facebook) because she KNEW that I was more Christian than I cared yo admit (?) AND as a Christian I was clearly in support of some church local to her area that were advocating child abuse to purge demons. I was horrified and bewildered (she's a very well educated practicing dr). I'm all for recognising from the outside faiths can and do change people. But this was a very different level!
NC sounds a stress reducing route for you

Also sending my thoughts to those of you with family issues. Have some myself, nice to know we're not alone!
Have had some good news today. After failing to have the NT screening at 12 weeks, I had to wait til 16weekd for the blood test. My risk has come back as low, 1:419. I was expecting a high risk due to my age and high BMI so am surprised and happy right now!

That's great news islamann

Thanks for posting up the essentials list jelly. I haven't started thinking about what equipment/supplies we'll need yet but suppose will need to do so at some point (I have similar feelings to zebra about it all at the moment!)

Urgh I go on holiday in 2 days and I woke up today with a stinking cold! It better go away soon....Counting down the hours until I can go home to my bed.

i;'ve not actually bought anything from that list, just pinched it from someone else and added rough prices next to everything and brands of things i want to get.

thanks for the tip on thermometer, i'll change my list :)

Am I the only one buying the majority of my stuff second hand or from Sainsburys/Tesco?! I just can't spend money in Mothercare/Mamas & Papas without feeling ripped off. My friend bought a cot mobile for £50 from John Lewis and I nearly had a heart attack.

Had a semi-argument with OH last night about getting a camera baby monitor; firstly I don't think we need a baby monitor at all since we live in a flat and secondly the whole camera thing feels like 1984 coming true. He said he didn't care and wanted the best for the baby.....like I don't?!

Bought some Naty nappies last night from Boots as they are currently on offer at 2 for £6 (normally £4.25 each) whilst I get the hang of cloth nappies/for the hospital bag.

I didn't realise I was supposed to make the midwife appointments rather than them just sending me a letter. So imagine my surprise when I thought I was turning up for my 16 wk MW to be told it was actually a consultant wanting to talk about my 12 wk scan results :( I have a large fibroid measuring nearly 6cmx6cm but apparently the location is good and shouldn't interfere with pregnancy or labour but she wants me to have "active management" of the 3rd stage of my labour....which sort of translates to a hospital birth and not a birthing centre which I had hoped for, but still it's up for discussion with my MW next week.

We also heard the heartbeat and the baby has not stopped wriggling all day which has been lovely :)

Troika thank you for your lovely message, I think I can guess who you are.

Jelly that's a really good list. Because I am one of those annoying people who likes to over-plan everything I have a colour-coded spreadsheet with everything we need to buy on it... We're getting a whole load of stuff as hand-me-downs from BIL and SIL though, which is hopefully going to save us enough money to pay the plasterers with!!

We have been debating back and forth for the last few days as to whether we'll find out the sex of the baby or not (I had Amnio so they can tell us for sure one way or the other if we want to know). I think we have finally decided NOT to find out until the baby is here, although whether we'll be able to avoid finding out is a whole other thing! I am also incredibly indecisive and DH doesn't mind either way, so I'll probably change my mind again by the end of the week but you can't have everything!

banana i'm the same, my list has about 15 columns with different options, where to buy from, if we are getting it for free, and prices etc. I've also got a timeline that lists all the weekends between now and baby and details what ones we are busy for, what ones we are free and what we need to get done each weekend.

calypso i'm buying loads from tesco/boots/asda and all the clothes and muslins on my list are primark. The only things i'm getting from Mama's and Pappa's is the Snuzpod and the nursery furniture when we eventually buy it (going to get it in the january sales). We have been lucky enough to be given a travel system with a car seat so that'd be the only other thing i'd buy from a proper baby shop.

Found this list somewhere......might even be a mumsnet one?!

Cotbed (plus mattress, sheets and blankets)
Pram/buggy/travel system*
Six sleepsuits/ long sleeved suits
Six vests/ short sleeved suits
Two cardigans/ jackets
Shawl or snow suit
Hat, mittens and bootees
Changing mat
Nappies
Nursing bra and breast pads
Loads of bibs
Plenty of towels/ flannels/ muslin squares (for bathing and dribbles!)
Loads of kitchen roll and cotton wool pads
Brush and comb
Moses basket/ crib (plus mattress, sheets and blankets)
Baby bath
Baby box or bag
Sling
Bouncy chair
Changing bag
Breast pump
Steam steriliser
Baby lotion
Baby wipes
Bath thermometer
Nail scissors
Nappy wrapper

Hi all, been a bit awol but enjoying catching up. I absolutely appreciate that list jelly because I hadn't thought of most of the stuff on there. In fact I was filled with horror at it all! I'm usually really organised but hadn't considered baby clothes... Head is not screwed on!

We will be going second hand and begging giveaways, as well as reusable nappies - anything to save money! We had lots of offers for presents with DS but everyone is so cautious with this one that we don't know whether family will help out or not. I reckon January sales, or DH can do some emergency shopping if the baby arrives early! We've got a moses basket at least!

I'll be trying to beg, borrow or steal a lot of the stuff we get, it's all used for such a small amount of time, I don't really want to buy new. We'll be getting a new pram, car seat and mattress and the like but most of the other stuff will be borrowed or eBayed.

calyspo the only things I don't think are essentials (although I'm classing essential as things to buy before baby is here ) is cot, sling and bouncy chair. I'm getting all of those in the January sales or when they are needed. But apart from that your list is similar to the one I stole.

haqoi I had no idea any of that stuff was needed really but this list came from a second time mum. I guess everyone will have opinions on what's needed and what's not I guess. I'm just overwhelmed by it all.

Sounds like a lot of you are using reusable nappies. Mind if I ask why?

Thank you all for lists - so very helpful.

Being a massive worrier I'm not going to get anything until after 20 week scan just in case so got a few weeks to go.

I think I'm starting to look more pregnant now - lots of floaty tops at work etc. does anyone else only think they feel baby when lying down in bed at night or just me? Feels like flopping?!

Jelly, I want to use reusables this time partly as I could not believe how many disposables we went through each week and I'm trying to be more eco friendly, and partly because of the cost saving - although you're looking at an initial outlay of a few hundred ?? with reusables, I found we needed approx a packet of disposables every week last time which really adds up! I've just got a recommendation from www.thenappylady.co.uk which they personalise for you to recommend which brand, and give you their presumably over inflated ideas of how much you could save until potty training. Makes interesting reading if nothing else!

I've not bought a thing for baby yet-still don't think it's really sunk in that we're having another! Will start after 20w scan though as last time thought I'd do it all last minute then didn't have a thing ready when DS arrived at 31weeks so had to send DH out to get it all and missed out!