March 2016 Babies!! Thread #7 The one where we all say.... "Stay put Flump!!"

[Paperblank]

Stay where you are Flump!!!

20 week placenta for comparison!

I'm feeling huge and struggling too - I have to really twist to wipe my bum!!! At the party last night everyone commented on how neat my bump was, which was nice, but perhaps just politeness as I'm a whale compared to last time. I do remember being small all over with a massive bump right at the end of my pregnancy with DS, but don't remember ever struggling to do stuff like put socks on - could be that I was a lot fitter, but I'm just telling myself it's because he was born in September so I was biggest over the summer and didn't have to try and jam myself into boots etc.

30 weeks yesterday - definitely agree that 10 weeks sounds ages, but 7 weeks til I'm full term seems like nothing at all!

I'm sure I've probably moaned about this before, but I'd been trying to figure out sleeping arrangements for the baby and I think I've cracked it! We only have a two-bed and I want to keep the baby in with us as long as possible to avoid disturbing DS (at the point I moved him to his own room, he was still waking up hourly) but our bedroom is too small for the cot, even if we moved the furniture around. I thought a crib would last longer than a moses basket, but then my mum pointed out that regardless of size, once the baby can sit up she'll need to be out of the crib.

Then yesterday I saw a thread on here about spacesaver cots like this one, which I had no idea existed - I can't see a downside! They're about 55cm wide so will fit down the side of our bed (I'll have to get rid of my bedside table, but I did that last time for the moses basket anyway and it was ok), and they have three different heights just like a big cot so should last at least 12 months. Has anyone heard of these? Are there any obvious issues I might have overlooked? SHOULD I DO IT???

Oh, yes, I see what you mean Beaut. Do you know what the 'grit' is?

Suz a few weeks ago I was complimented on my 'neat' bump - I don't think she realised I was only 5/6 months! (People were surprised I wasn't going on leave at Xmas ).

Good theory about fitness being a factor, but I am definitely fitter this time (I did running and everything last year!) but also now fatter.

Good idea about the cot (took me 3 goes to get that clicky). Do you think you could strap it to the side of your bed to make it like a bedside crib?

DDad has kindly offered to pay for the SnuzPod, but you're right, we'll only get about 6 months use out of it.

I'd be interested to know the mattress heights, and if the right size sheets are readily available. Would Homebase let you build one in the shop to look at it? (Or send it back if you change your mind?) On offer at £79 is ideal too...

Forgot to say (don't get excited), just went through our old cloth nappy stash and found that out of 19 I could find (I'm sure there were 20), there are at least 6 with perished elastic (leg holes). Other than that they're in great condition. I'm hoping that someone talented will be able to fix them for less than the cost of replacing them.

And I though we had that nappy thing covered. bet I find we have no newborn size clothes next

Placentas become "gritty" when you're near your due date (or if you're a heavy smoker!). It basically means they're starting to mature and pack up. So they're slightly worried that mine was noticed at 28 weeks!

Suz I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a space saver cot for when the baby goes into the girls' bedroom :)

That's my main issue Indomitable, they don't seem to sell them anywhere you can actually look at them. They have them in Tesco, Asda, Argos etc though, so we could always assemble at home and and return if it's not right. Bit of a pain but I have an Argos right near me so might do that.

I had a bit of a search on here for mentions of this cot, and a few people have mentioned leaving the fourth side off, and someone said they had drilled new holes at the right height for their bed to make it a bedside crib.

They also have the sheets on Amazon, I've added some into my basket in preparation! I'm only getting bottom sheets, as I plan to swaddle at first and then move to sleeping bags. I reckon stretchy jersey crib sheets would be ok though.

The Snuzpod is lovely though, if I had the budget I'd be going for it!

(ps, that was my first clicky link too, I was well impressed with myself )

Both dd and dh are still feeling rotten. Kicked dh into dd's bed last night so she could sleep with me. Quite a few night wakings between us but no one got up for the day until 11. They're asleep in our bed right now, which part of me thinks is a terriable thing for dd but I think she needs sleep more than protecting her normal bedtime. She's propperly poorly and just wants to lay on the sofa, and to be carried which is nothing like her. It's a shock to see the living room spotless all day!

suz friends of mine had a space saving cot for their dd, they loved it. I think they found you could order sheets online but they found it much easier and cheaper to just use flat sheets rather than fitted. They had clips or elastic things to keep the sheets in place once she got bigger and wriggler. Think they managed to use it until she was 2, she's always been tall but slept really well in it and went straight to a toddler bed. They use it as a bench in her room now so have really got their money's worth.

That's good to know dobby, thanks! The one I saw said up to 18 months, and I seem to make small children, so it's possible! We're hoping to move by this time next year, so hopefully it won't need to last that long as we'll be able to get the full sized one out.

Sorry to hear everyone is so sick, I find when ds is like that it doesn't affect his bedtime at all as he just wants to sleep it off. Fingers crossed for you!

Suz - I reckon buy it and try it out (without drilling), and return it if it's not right. (Open everything carefully, though).

We're planning on swaddling too. I didn't with DS, but am willing to do anything to get more sleep this time! I was going to to get the Woombie swaddle pod things with zips. How many do you think we'll need? (Bearing in mind DS had reflux and puked all over everything.

We are so lucky and grateful that DDad volunteered to pay for the crib. I think he'd offered to pay for a travel system last time but we got one off eBay (good job too as I used the carrier far more than the pushchair!)

Sorry to hear your DH & DD are sick Dobby. I've had the loveliest day of cuddles once or twice when DS has had a bad cold. It's almost a shame when calpol perks them up!

I'm planning on getting those too indomitable, I thought two but I already have some gro-swaddles from ds. He was refluxy too! Why not start with a couple and see how it goes?

I'm determined to have a better sleeper this time too, I'm going to get a Sleepyhead even though they're super expensive.

Good plan. Amazon's always on, I suppose!

And I'm lucky too as my mum is paying for the crib, but she said up to £100. We don't have to buy as much this time as we still have all of ds' stuff, so I'm making some more frivolous purchases - a new changing bag (not the cheapest) and the sleepyhead.

I was thinking of buying the grosnug - thought they look good. A friend has given me some brand new swaddling blankets though as her DS didn't like being swaddled so I might as well try them.

I've just placed a large order with Mothercare for lots of essential boring items - for me and baby - maternity pads, breast pads, changing and bathing supplies, Muslins, flannels and towels. Bigger things I still need to get are:

Moses basket and stand
Baby bouncer
Playmat/baby gym
Changing bag

DH wants to buy a formula starter kit to keep in the cupboard just in case. I think I'll be too tempted to use it though if breast feeding is hard! Difficult.

Me, I wouldn't bother with formula stuff unless you're a significant (hours) distance from a 24hour supermarket.

Breastfeeding fucking hurts in the beginning (they say it shouldn't if your latch is right, but it does!) and the relentlessness of the early days is killer. But if you can stubborn-it-out for 3 or 4 weeks you'll likely be fine. You'll know whether it would be "safe" to have bottles on hand.

Though, in what I now recognise to be my post-natal anxious state I did have a couple of pre-mixed cartons in the house (after the initial weeks) in case some far-fetched something arose. I had some bizarre thoughts that year! But couldn't see the issue at the time. I blame the sleep deprivation! Hence the expensive crib and swaddle pods.

I remember spending hundreds on really boring essentials at mothercare last time. I'm hoping I'll find all of it at some point soon! (Sheets and blankets and towels, as you say!)

I need to make books. I am procrastinating. Can you tell?!

I'll second breastfeeding really hurting at first. It's bollocks that it should be pain free! Once you get through those first few weeks it is SO much easier though and pain free.

Am impressed at how organised you all are! At some point we'll get the baby stuff outta the loft.. We are planning an ikea trip soon to buy some storage for his bits, does that count?!

beaut so sorry things are still so uncertain for you. Amazing pics of bubba though. Exciting that your baby will be here soon!

I'm occasionally getting a weird pulling sensation. Like baby is pulling on the umbilical cord. Is that even possible? I wondered if it was Braxton Hicks but it's definitely more pulling than tightening. Feels very unpleasant but not painful. Has anyone had this?

Am planning a trip to Mothercare tomorrow to stock up on breast pads, nipple cream etc. Boring stuff but am still stupidly excited! Want to start packing my hospital bag soon.

Rhubarb I started getting that funny pulling a week or two ago, but I have scar tissue in my bellybutton from surgery and was convinced it was from that. Interesting to hear someone else is experiencing it. Otherwise at 31 weeks tomorrow I feel pretty normal physically, just moving a little slower and seem to have entered hibernation - napping all the time!

I'm also starting the shopping. Washed and sorted all the baby clothes a few days ago and only had to top up with a few sleepsuits/vests in 0-3, plenty of everything else up to 3-6. Did an amazon order today and will be checking the car seat fit and getting the rest at Mothercare tomorrow. Then I just have to make sure DH knows where the hospital bags are - he forgot the baby bag with DS!

Hi ladies

Unfortunately spent the past 30 minutes on a trace due to reduced movements. Baby is absolutely fine, wriggling around like mad actually and everything is brill.

I get that weird pulling quite often also around my belly button. At first I thought same thing that baby is pulling on cord but I know my placenta is posterior so that wouldn't make sense!

Beaut baby looks great. I can see a slight difference with the placenta I think. At least they're on top of it and know what's going on.

Hope you're ok gem? I'm dreading any reduced movements because it's probably the only way I'd know things have really started to go wrong with the baby and it's quite far to the hospital and god knows what I'd do with the other DC etc. Glad your baby was just being cheeky though!

Glad everything's ok Gem, it must have been so worrying. Are they happy that the baby's fine?

Happy new year everyone! Had a lovely quiet one and went to bed at 12.15am. DD woke up early (surprise surprise) but DP let me sleep in. Both she and I woke up with a stinking cold though so had a pyjama day yesterday. Sorry to hear about illness in your house too dobby

Got my bednest from my sister over Xmas so babies bed almost sorted - just need to get a new mattress for it. I'd like a sleepyhead but they're a bit pricey. Dps brother is using one and his baby will be 5 months old when DD2 is born so secretly hoping we could get it as a hand me down when DD2 is a month old or so but not sure if they'll offer it without us asking and feel a bit cheeky sniffing around for it! Wer asked DPs brother if we could have our old baby bath back at some point - no rush, could wait till after baby born - and he didn't seem to believe us that it was ours, going so far as to show it to us to check it was! We were like um yes that's definitely our bath. Was a bit awkward, but the thing was we gave DPs brother lots of stuff before we conceived that we might need back as didn't want to selfishly hold onto stuff and then take ages to conceive! Have the car seat sorted so most stuff ready. Also picked up some of DDs hand me downs from DPs brother and a whole load of hand me downs from my sister, as their babies are 3 and 4 months old, so got lots of newborn/0-3 month clothes now. Started hanging them up yesterday - was quite exciting and made things seem more real.

Sorry to hear things aren't going so well beaut - hope baby stays inside for as long as possible!

me I also wouldn't bother with formula kit. Bf is hard at the beginning and for most women it does hurt for at least a few weeks. I had pain for 5 weeks ish but battled on and found one day I just suddenly realised there was no pain. I really enjoyed breastfeeding after that. I have known a couple of women for whom there has been no pain from the off but they are definitely the exception rather than the rule! As indom said, unless you live hours from a supermarket, there's no need to buy anything in advance - you can always send your DH out for emergency supplies. How supportive of bf is your DH? I have found that amongst women I know that's been one of the biggest factors about whether they successfully establish bf. It also depends on how much you care yourself of course! I have to admit I am not looking forward to the early days/weeks bf at all! Even though I know what I'm doing this time regarding latching etc, its been so long since I stopped with DD (10 months) that I feel like I've forgotten what to do! Also, baby needs to work out what to do as well and sometimes bf is hard because baby isn't very good at it!

Other than my cold, at 30+4 I'm feeling pretty good. Not feeling so huge anymore- clearly I haven't shrunk but I think I've adjusted a bit to my size. I dread to think how much weight I've put on over the last couple of weeks, have done no exercise and ate constantly! My stomach has been quite itchy recently and I've been obsessively plastering on Palmers cocoa butter but think I'm going to see a few more additions to my stretch mark collections soon

I was getting what I thought were BH a couple of weeks ago but haven't noticed one in a while so not sure? Also, think baby is still bum down and/or transverse I know its still early but really want her to turn soon!

Oh god, I just had a surprise vomit attack, not only did I not quite make it to the toilet and get it all over the sink, but my pelvic floor gave up and I weed a bit while puking! So glamorous.

Hope you're back home now Gem feeling reassured.

Poor you Suz! My pelvic floor is definitely beginning to feel the strain ...

marmite it's interesting you say that DH support is a major factor in bf success. My DH is supportive but I think he is fairly sceptical about how I'm going to cope. Out of our circle of close friends we are the last of four couples to have a baby and only one of the other 3 managed to bf for any decent length of time. One gave up after about 6 weeks and the other after less than a week, although she did express for quite a while. So I think he just assumes I'll find it hard too and will need to move onto formula at some point. Personally I'd like to try it but I'm not going to be devastated if I can't and I wouldn't plan on doing it for longer than 6 months or so.

Having said all of that, we are only about 10 mins from a 24 hour supermarket so I think I'll follow all of your advice and not buy it in advance!

Morning,

gem, sounds like you had a fright. Glad all is ok though.

Sorry to hear you're sick, marmite. Glad you got some sleep though!

Oh yeah, car seat, must get that back from friends that borrowed it!

"had pain for 5 weeks ish but battled on and found one day I just suddenly realised there was no pain." That's exactly how it was for me. I remember having the realisation in the car one day!

Oh no Suz, you poor thing. Hope you're feeling ok now. Pregnancy sickness or a bug, do you think?

"wouldn't plan on doing it for longer than 6 months or so." Neither did I, me, but ended up continuing for 2 years! (Despite going back to work FT at 5.5 months) I was quite proud of myself (and my "two fried eggs on an ironing board") for that, hope I can do it again.

So as always happens in the holidays, we've just got DS to stay in bed till gone 8am. It's bliss! But my back starts hurting at about 7am And we've only got one more lie-in till work

Baby is right up under my right rib this morning. Though he appears to still be sound asleep. Oh, I just gave him a shove and am getting low kicks, feels like he's spun around in the night. Looks like another awkward boy!

I'd say support from dh is definitely important me - just tell him what support you need and be firm. This time I plan to instruct dh to mostly leave me to feed and take the baby in between so I can do things like have a bath or eat hot food. He was supportive last time but not very practical I think. I remember one day when ds was a few days old, I was still very sore from the stitches and also constipated, just felt so awful. So I asked him to run a bath while I was feeding so I could get in straight after, I thought the warm water might help get things moving and soothe my stitches too. Only the baby started crying again a couple of minutes after I got in, and rather than jiggling him or walking him around for a few minutes he came in and properly shouted at me to get out and feed him, I ended up sat shivering and still soapy on the toilet feeding him and it was just horrible. He needs to know this time he has to deal with the baby crying, and if I'm not available for twenty minutes immediately after a feed he will have to just get on with it.