March 2016 #4 - entering the second trimester at last and (hopefully) waving goodbye to sickness

[marmitemofo]

started a new thread as the old one was getting full up. Thought I would post the link to stats here too so people can update if they want!

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CWO_z74sygCKB3cdMb7jXf2VP1TwJB8KCTF-M5XbTyY/edit#gid=0

MyNameIsSuz you didn't don't worry but you're not the first person to say that haha I'll just have to see it to judge how big it is!

Loved my caboo close for dd me, has done the rounds with my friends since then, all but one of them got on with it. It's a pre tied streachy wrap so nice and snugly when baby is tiny. I found it so easy to use, literaly like putting a t-shirt on. Goes over the head, pull the tails until it's as tight as a t-shirt, pop baby in, put the wrap support section on and tie the excess tail material where ever comfortable. I could put it on very quickly even when holding dd.

I also loved using a simple pouch sling. I was given a liberty one as part of a breast feeding cover bundle. It was great for dd once she could support her own head. Not safe to use for a new born but by about 7 weeks she was able to be carried tummy to tummy in it and a couple of weeks later I did hit carried around the house.

I was really wearly of wraps but feel in love with them when she was about 6 months old and I wanted hands a bit more free. The caboo gave me the confidence to try.

This time I want a ring sling to play with and a few new woven wraps.

Beautiful isn't it amazing I really want it, like you said we need a measuring tape haha I really hope dp buys it too I need it in my life!!!

Haha we are on the same wavelength today aren't we! I'm in love, ok maybe we already have a bouncer and a swing but one can be for the bathroom! Invaluable when you're trying to shower!!

haha we are aren't we:) That's so funny you could have one for every room DP keeps saying it's only a rocker but it isn't everyone's giving it the highest rating and I love the different types of movements!

Thanks for the tip dobby the caboo looks like it might work for me. Suz the Moby one looks lovely but I really can't stress how stupid I am at wrapping and tying things!

Rosie the thing that I love about it is the way it moves... I've had loads of rockers etc but nothing like that!

Me - I'm the same :( so impractical it's ridiculous. I could write a lovely essay on wraps, but not actually use one...

Definitely look at ergo type slings, and I agree with dobby, close caboos are supposed to be great.

Ooh liking the slings..close caboo now saved on my eBay searches thanks! My friend had a didymos which I was very impressed with, but not convinced I could knot but was slightly alarmed at the price! I really like the Quinny buzz too, I need to work out a happy medium between being able to cover the ground in the horses field ( no concrete!) and getting in and out of the car and around town... Otherwise I suppose there is always a wheelbarrow for around the horses..

Crispy I was suffering terribly with insomnia but have found drinking more water has helped (or not, I googled that and am drinking more) but might also be a coincidence!

Quinny buzz is very good for offroading vroc!

I watched a video on the Mamaroo and I thought it would make me motion sick just watching it for long, never mind being in it (and I don't even get sick!)

DH has vetoed a co-sleeper as the dog sleeps on our bed (and apparently always will) and it'd be too risky that he might climb in and suffocate baby a la an episode of Footballers Wives (did anyone watch that? - I loved it!)

I'm lusting over the Joolz Geo (convincing DH that it would be a good investment as we're hoping to have a second). Also started researching car seats over the weekend and was concerned about all the data on babies' breathing and organ development being restricted after only 20 mins in a non-flat car seat. So we'll probably get the Kiddy Evo Lunafix as we only use the car for longer journeys.

Hello! It's been busy here today!

Buggies: we've got an ancient Quinny Buzz with a slightly less ancient (though still 2nd hand) seat. That'll do us (as long as I can get some new straps), but I thought it sucked off road!

However...

Slings: I had a ring sling with DS, which was simple to use (like others, I didn't think I'd cope with wrapping) but really uncomfortable after 10 minutes or so.

When DS was 5 months I bought an Ergo and it was the single best baby purchase I've ever made. It's so simple to use, so comfortable, I literally hardly used a buggy again (like, a handful of times ever). It's a classic ergo. The 360 ones are apparently really uncomfortable (in comparison, at least) and there's lots of questions over the use of forward facing carriers any way (apparently the science adviser at Ergo wasn't happy with their 360 model - my friend who is a sling consultant said he said this in a presentation at the European Babywearing Conference in Bristol this year).

I used the Ergo until fairly recently (DS is 4), and could wear it for hours. It's got a pocket too, which after about 12 months is enough for a spare nappy/pants/top and a sandwich bag of wipes. It meant we could pop out without much prep. I really, really love it!

This time, I'll obviously use my beloved Ergo when this one's big enough (not sure what to make of the newborn insert) and I'm planning on getting a stretchy wrap for the early bit.

Though I could be persuaded to buy a mei tei or boba type carrier instead.

Cribs: DS had the crib I'd been in! Reaching over the sides a million times a night was awful though. I'll be looking for a side-car type. The Chicco one has had good reviews from friends (especially that it packs down into a carrying case for trips).

My parents offered to buy us a buggy last time but we bought a second hand one instead so they paid for some cloth nappies. I'm hoping they'll offer to buy DS a big bed. He's currently still in the cot bed (as a toddler bed, obvs!).

Scan day tomorrow. Turns out after feeling pretty steady about it this weekend I'm really hoping everything's ok now!

Oh, and on the car seat front: we had a cabriofix which did the job, but DS hated it. It got really hot (but I suppose they all do) in the summer. We then got him a group 0-1 ERF First Class Plus. This one we've kept for a potential #2 (and he technically still fits in it!). It seems a little flatter, less bunched up for a newborn. The car seat on a frame was never as easy as a carrier, in my book. (Forgot to mention, I could BF easily in the ergo)

If we could justify buying a new one is get one of the Jane flat ones. Seems daft to though...

Good luck tomorrow Indom ! Will be checking back in for updates

I hadn't even thought about a sling! Sounds like it could be a good idea though so will do some research, starting with the Ergo

Am I the only first time Mum looking at all of these bits needed and all of the choices and feeling quite panicky?! Feel like I have no idea what I'm doing or what I should and shouldn't buy. Argh!

Only thing I know I want is the Chicco next to me crib and figured we could buy that first and then buy the proper cot when it's needed eventually.

Top tips for first time mums welcome before I start having to breath into a paper bag haha

Thanks pug!

Don't panic Jules! It'll all come together. Nappies, clothes, a bed and transport is about the basics. The most confusing thing is the vest/bodysuit conundrum (are they different? Are they the same thing?!)

jules I was panicking until I sat down and wrote what was actually needed instead of what everyone tells you you should get.
Cot bed, moses basket and stand, travel system and isofix, breast pump and some clothes are my essentials. I know if I have those I can have a baby haha

Breast pump's are an implement of torture, I'm sure.

I remember building up quite the stash for DS when he was at the CM initially. I think I've suppressed all memory of pumping though.

(There's a dairy herd just over the road. Poor loves, I really identified with them!)

Errmmm Indom you're going to have to elaborate on the vest/bodysuit thing please! In fact, what does a baby wear? I'm guessing: nappy, bodysuit thing like a t-shirt with poppers under the bum; then a sleepsuit or day clothes equivalent. Plus socks/hat as necessary. Am I right?

Exactly pug though I had an Autumn baby last time, it's going to be completely different having a newborn as the weather gets warmer! One layer more than you is the rule I think, great unless you're super cold blooded like me and already wearing twice as many clothes as everyone else!

I definitely second the point that you don't need to wade through all this stuff before the baby's here. I didn't get loads in advance for ds, my boss at the time just shrugged and said 'the shops will still be there when the baby is born'. She was not wrong! I had a much better idea what I needed by then, and more time to go shopping.

Vests & bodysuits (I believe) are the same thing. Short sleeves, poppers at the crotch.

That programme's about to start on BBC2 now!

That's exactly right pug. I highly recommend Next plain white baby vests. They are the best ones I've tried and you can reuse for future babies because theyre a plain unisex colour.

I'm back and forth on whether to bother getting a double buggy. I think I probably should really but I love my travel system so much! I'll have a 23.5 month age gap.

Can I join in. I did comment on first thread but then a few things like clots in both my lungs put me out of action for a while! I'm 14 + 4 today and due on 11th March. It's my 2 pregnancy, I have one ds aged 8 already and this baby is a surprise one after ttc for 6/7 years. I had my dating scan a few weeks ago but have to go back again this Wednesday as I was slightly earlier than I thought and midwife had booked dating scan for 11 weeks. I'm still getting terrible sickness and fed up with my weekly apps at the hospital. Also got to inject fragmin twice a day so feeling a bit fragile at the minute. Excited though

Woah, battleships that sounds scary. Glad you're back but sorry you're feeling fragile.