July 2016 (5)

[gnat99]

Right, this is my second attempt to start a new thread for us. Let the chat begin!

Wow, I'm so behind!!

I had my scan last week, I was so nervous! (Second baby) last time everything was so easy and carefree but this time it's far worse. Luckily everything was ok and spot on for dates so still due July 9th.

Re prams - personally I'd go second hand (did last time and not buying another) but definitely worth trying out in stores to see what you like, hen stalking eBay! We got ours (Jane Slalom if anyone is interested!) from eBay last time in wonderful condition. It's not in the garage and hasn't been used since September as my boy walks or I carry him on my back (sling addict here though!)

Speaking of slings... My two top tips for first time mums are:

(Hope you're paying attention, this is groundbreaking stuff from a second timer )

BEFORE giving birth, purchase the following...

1. a stretchy wrap or close caboo. They are cheap (£20-£45) and may just be lifesavers if you have a (perfectly normal!) newborn who likes to be held a lot. Babies love being held. It doesn't spoil them, it doesn't make them clingy. It's essential and lovely and a stretchy will make it so much easier. I promise. Plus they have excellent resale value and if you genuinely don't get on with it I might buy it off you for the sling library I run! (No guarantees, depends on funds!)

1. A manual breast pump. £15 from Argos. Even if you plan to breastfeed, as I did, on day 3 before my milk came in, when my boobs were huge and rocklike and so so painful I couldn't bear any fabric on them... It was a Sunday. And all the shops were closed. My baby struggled to latch to the swollen monstrosities my boobs had become and cried a lot because he was hungry, I cried because my boobs hurt. If you have a manual breast pump you can get so much relief just by pumping a little off each breast and this makes them softer for your baby to latch onto. So worth £15 in my opinion.

There's my nuggets of wisdom while I remember them

Hope everyone continues to be well!

Actually,while I'm thinking about it... Should the second (or more) timers share their best things to buy and what not to buy tips?

I recommend: slings, giant muslin cloths, cloth wipes (cheeky wipes), the cheap IKEA highchair (the antilop), organic coconut oil (for bums, dry skin, cradle cap..), lansinoh cream for nipples, co sleeper cot

Wouldn't bother with: outfits, shoes, baby bath

Thanks for the tips fuzzy I was in two minds about the breast pump but you've convinced me to get one now. Loving the tips from second time mums keep em coming!

I second the lansinoh cream for nipples!! Was a great help when I was in pain at the start of breast feeding! Also the breast pump! My nipples were so sore and my DP suggested I expressed some milk and it actually helped! The relief was enormous. I also bought a fancy breast feeding sling and didn't use it. It was too much of a faff and I didn't care about getting them out in public in the end!

Bepanthen was also very good at clearly up nappy rash/ sore bottoms. I thought it was the same as Sudocrem but actually it is very good at healing sores and Sudocrem is more for preventing them.

Yep swear by lansinoh. And used their breast pads which were the best for me. And sudocream. We found a baby bouncer really useful if you want to be able to eat dinner! The best tip I was given was to get a bedside lamp that you touch to turn on which was so handy for middle of the night feeds. The worst waste of money was a teddy bear that played different sounds to help baby sleep, it was rubbish and we ended up using a white noise app on the phone which was absolute magic. I also could never quite see the point of baby shoes/booties. We lost several pairs and only used them cos dd was a winter baby. You'll get a better idea of what you actually need when you go for your antenatal classes.
I'm planning on using the stuff we already have and I don't really feel I need to get stuff til much later on, altho shopping at 9 months pregnant is seriously not fun!

Back from my scan!

Baby was lying in a good position and very calm, but we could hear a good strong heartbeat. It appears to be thumbing its nose at us!

Nuchal fold appeared to be within normal range. The hospital took two samples of blood, and will do a risk assessment with one, and only if it comes back high will do a DNA test with the other sample.

I love Uppababy vista pram/buggy. Good if you're tall with massive storage basket (not you the buggy!). Check it fits in boot tho!

As for my 2nd time thoughts, I seem to be the only one who is more relaxed/calmer?! Maybe it's because it's all been so recent that it feels so familiar and that massively helps. Now I feel I'm asking for it...

As for kit: a sleepyhead for a good nights sleep, ours fitted in our second hand Moses basket as well as cot & was used daily until DS was 5 months. Great as a travel bed too in the early months.

Waterwipes are for us the best baby wipes (buy in bulk from Amazon) - so gentle and effective.

For bad nappy rash yellow tubes of metamium cream.

Aldi nappies (same factory as Pampers/half the price).

Aveeno cream for any eczema.

Agree on IKEA high chair and No need for shoes! DS Still on socks at ten months tho he has sheepskin pram bootees when out in the cold.

We actually used a baby bath (£5) as it saved water filling up a whole normal bath and was reassuring in early days when you think you're going to kill them every minute.

Grobag/own brand sleeping bags. 1 tog for summer, 2.5 for winter.

Calpol plugs when they're bunged up.

Mobile above bed.

Playmat from birth is essential to give you 15 min to yourself! Jumperoo from 4 months or so for similar reasons...

Will keep thinking!

Thistledew - lovely pic!

Had the booking appointment today and the midwives up in Ninewells are lovely! Less lovely was the 4 vials of blood they took. In retrospect, I'm very happy DH was there to handhold.

It's feeling more real now, which is great, but I imagine that feeling will explode on Thursday when I have my first scan. I'm so excited to see this baby and to know that everything is okay that Thursday will take forever to arrive.

11+6

Fuzzy I would be interested in your sling recommendations. I tried one last time. I had the close caboo but I was so scared the baby was going to fall out of it it just didn't feel secure. I didn't know how to place his head.

Also interested in breast pump recommendations. I've never successfully breast fed but with my first I had a cheap breast pump and the midwife said my breasts were so full it would help. The relief was great.

My top buys would be a couple of vests and babygros to start. I bought so much last time there are still loads of clothes in the loft with tags on. They grow so fast. Definitely wouldn't bother with shoes.

One of my best buys was a Snooze shade. Especially as we are having summer babies. The sun really irritates them and it has a zip you can leave undone. I only ever had it loosely over the pram. Blankets are dangerous hung over the hood lots of stories about babies overheating.

Another top buy is a changing box. We still use ours now it's so handy in the lounge. I keep nappies, wipes and lotions for after the bath in there.

Changing mat so that they are comfortable.

A bouncer so that you can use a foot to rock them while you try & eat your dinner

I'll keep adding if I think of more.

Loving the tips second timers! I've wrote them all down and added the to my Amazon registry apart from the high chair which I will get with my Jan ikea vouchers! Keep them coming!

Thistle fab scan!

Mines tomorrow scared!

Thistle lovely scan picture.

If anyone has a large boots near them then check if they have a baby clearance section. My mum works at boots so always keeps an eye out. Last time we got a Chicco Happy Snack Highchair for £12. Nothing wrong with it was just a return without the instructions although still in the box in all the packaging. We also got bt baby monitors for £1.

Loving all the advice from moms already. Lovely scan pic thistle
Had my private bloods this afternoon and they also did another scan which was lovely. Baby looked all good so just 7-10 day wait now as they go off too America to be tested. Day 1 is tomorrow so be prepared for a count down ladies lol

Glad you all like my blanket idea - and Cheery, I am really especially pleased that it's given you an idea to get one made for yourself. I lost my mum when I was 19, so a very similar age to you, and it was the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. I'm 31 now, and it's only really been in the last couple of years that I've managed to feel like I can actually get along all right without her! Having this baby is going to make me miss her dreadfully - so doing things like making that patchwork blanket will really help to reassure myself that she is still treasured and remembered :)

Congrats on the scans, Thistle and Pinsey!

Seriously loving the recommendations of things to buy. Fuzzy, I'm another one who would be interested in specific sling recs.

Definitely getting a baby bath, because we've only got a shower...!!!

I think a baby bath is a good idea. I always found it easier to keep baby warm bathing them in the baby bath on the lounge floor. Also saves your back from leaning over the big bath.

Totally off subject but I think ur scan pic looks like a girl let me know if I'm right I so can't wait to find out what I'm having wish I had the spare money for the harmony waiting for these NT results is driving me mad I've got my 16 week scan on the 28th with my consultant if she can't tell me the sex I'm going to book in privately the very same day lol I'm so impatient x

That was your scan pic pinsey should of said sorry.

wanting I've just sent that picture to my mom and she said exactly the same thing lol
How long have you been waiting? Midwife told me they get back to you pretty quickly with the results if there's a problem, if not I would of received a letter in 1-2 weeks so maybe no news is good news in your case.
I shall definitely let you know the sex as we've decided not to tell anyone else and I'm crap at keeping secrets so at least I can tell on here lol xx

I tried posting my photo to see if anyone could guess the sex from the nub. I've no idea how it works really. Problem is apparently you can't see the nub

Google the skull theory also beautician I only had it done on Thursday pinsey so not long lol but I'm so impatient I just want to know all is okay x

Beautician I just had to google nub theory lol. Like you, I can't really see it on my scan pic so who knows xx

Wanting I know how you feel, all this waiting just drives you mad doesn't it and then if you're anything like me you spend hours on google looking for answers. At least we are here waiting with you and understand what you're going through xx

This was mine really not very clear. From my scan I would say boy although I had been feeling different so was swaying towards girl but I'm sure we can only produce boys. Ds1 wants a boy and Ds2 a girl. They were exactly the same last time.

I hope the wait goes quick for you both.