July 2016 (7) We're halfway to meeting our little bubs

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Hi all started a new thread as the old one was getting almost to 1000. We're a very chatty bunch! Happy Friday

Oh and they are very hard to come across but they're are sleep suits with zips. They are amazing at 2 a.m when you keep doing the poppers up wrong

Morning all! Congrats to all the recent scans and good luck to those with scans coming up!

For all the second timers (or 3rd or 4th!) I need your advice: regarding clothing for baby so far I've bought a pack of long sleeve vests, one pack of short sleeve and a pack of sleep-suits all in size 0-3 months (plus a few leggings) I've also got 1 pack of newborn short sleeve vests too. Is that enough for me to start with? I don't want to overbuy as I know family/friends will buy us stuff but don't want to rely on them either!

Jem - i would get a cotton cardi too just as an additional layer and maybe another pack of sleepsuits and a romper. You will change them at least 3x a day at first. John Lewis do a good checklist of basic starter clothing. I doubt you'll use the longsleeved/legging stuff much unless it's a chilly summer. A sun hat also a good idea.

anna - ah the holy grail of a sleepsuit with zips!

The blossoms are coming out on our cherry blossom trees in front garden, spring is here although it's so cold DH and I are sleeping under 2 quilts at night!
I bought a few wee bit of clothes on Friday but I wasn't very organised, just bought things I thought were cute. Will need to take a 'starter' list with me next time - think there's some good lists online for first month and hospital bag.

Found this
www.mothercare.com/new-baby-essentials/advice-ms-preg-essentials-root,default,pg.html

It's easier for me to give you an idea on clothes by telling you what I have. This is my fourth:

1x pack of 6 short sleeve vests in first size (up to 7lbs 8oz) I have small babies usually.

1x pack of 4 sleeveless vests in first size

1x pack of 3 long sleeves vests in first size

1x pack of 6 short sleeved vests in newborn

1x pack of 4 sleeveless vests in newborn

1x pack of 3 long sleeved vests in newborn

2x pack of 3 sleepsuits in first size

2x pack of 3 sleepsuits in up to 1 month

6x hats

1x outfit first size

3x outfit 0-3 months

4x romper suits

1x zip up cardigan

I buy next sleepsuits as they have built in scratch mitts. Loose scratch mitts come off too easily.

Beautician that's a brilliant list and I was going to ask about sleep suits with the in built mits so thanks I will have a look in next.
I'm not very sure what to do about sizes, was going to just get a mixture... I was under 7lbs at birth but my husband was 9lb if that's any indicator.

Massive muslins are great for swaddling. I was sceptical about swaddling but then somepne showed me how and it really helped my newborn squish to sleep without comically slapping himself in the face. I then started releasing one arm? Then the other, then both when he got bigger. Oh the memories. I am so excited about it all again.

By sleeveless I mean like the one pictures. Fab for in the summer days in the garden as babies can get quite sweaty.

When I had my first I brought mostly Next up to 1 month which is up to 10lb but I bought one pack of sleepsuits and vests in first size which is up to 7.8lb. To the hospital I took 2x first size vests & sleepsuits and 2x up to one month best and sleepsuit. I only buy first size now as my babies have been 6lb, 6lb 6oz and 7lb 3oz. So I would be inclined to get the majority in up to 1 month if I were you and one pack of each first size just before the birth so they can be returned if need be.

Don't panic. The only thing you can do is buy too much. I went mad with ds3 as I had a 7 year age gap and it was DHs first so I wanted to spoil him. We have stuff ready for the new baby from ds3 with all the tags still attached. Just buy some basics. I stick with Next as they wear well. Plus if you find you haven't got enough after a few days you can do same day or next day delivery from next.

Top tip is whatever you buy really needs to be washed in non bio before first wear. Any strange rashes in those first few weeks tend to be from packaging chemicals/ dyes on new clothes.

Oops forgot picture

I also have hospital bag lists at the ready if anyone wants help on what to pack

Beautician- love your lists. Please keep them coming! It's lovely hearing advice from those who have experience.

On that note: advice please!

At about 4-6 weeks we will be going on a very long car journey. Even if we split it over two days it will be 12 hours in a car. We are aware that car seats are not for long periods of time and that there are some lay-flat carry cot car seats - has anyone got one? Are there different brands that do this? Or are we being overly careful and with regular stops should be ok?....

Also I've been researching reusable nappies and apart from loving the colours and patterns have not committed to any particular system. I might try a couple of options then invest more but anyone with advice I'd love to hear that too. I bought the Cheeky Wipes kit as it's such a good idea and the reviews were so good. Also they smell lovely.

Hope you all have a lovely day, I'd better start making my list based on all your good advice!

21 + 6

Congrats Lulabells, Vicki and MrsRolly! And anyone else I've forgotten...

I have been frantically trying to catch up on all the news, think I'm just about there.

Been at home for the past two days with a stomach bug I caught at the weekend. The joy.

Back at work today and have to work late. Still feeling a bit washed out and spacey from spending so much time at home in bed, and eating safe, boring foods like dry toast, rice cakes and bananas and camomile tea! Had Weetabix for breakfast this morning and it felt like Christmas . Although even then I couldn't fully enjoy it in case it didn't sit right. So far so good.

Thanks Beautitician, Elliz and the rest for your baby clothes advice. Have been given 3 bags of clothes already from a friend with a 4 month old. Better look through it again more systematically and see what gaps there are. I do want to buy some bits ourselves anyway, partly just to bond with baby. But no point wasting money on things that won't be used! Also since hers was a winter baby we'll probably need more short sleeved vests, etc.

Anna and Speak, this is second hand experience, but my sister had VB just under 3 years after CS with twins, and it went fine (she did need episiotomy and ventouse but baby fine and she recovered quickly). She was pleased she did it. In terms of scars, she also had comments from a consultant before leaving the hospital, but the opposite to you: he was very impressed with the surgeon's neat work, and said 'I have to say, that is a beautiful scar'. She begged to differ!

I'm 23 weeks today.

Lucia can't advise you about the car journey I'm afraid.

But I am also thinking about reusable nappies, even if we mix and match with disposables or biodegradables. Haven't done any research yet though!

Will make a note about the Cheeky Wipes.

beautician my mil is getting 2 knitted matinée jackets made for baby. I think they're like cardis - do you think they will be too warm for baby in july/august? Or ok on a cooler day?

Just skimmed through 2 pages - wow your all chatty. Lula I can totally relate. Shocked we're having a boy. Excited but still need to get my head round it. Have no experiences with baby boys. Hubbie really pleased and daughter 7 now accepts she's having a brother. It will even the household up but I think pink will still rule!!!! Started picking up vests and babygrows too. Will get a selection of new born and 0-3. Found the 0-3 far too big for Katie and had to send Hubbie out shopping for pink newborn ones, luckily he went to next and I approved but it could have been a different story!!!!
On a different note stupidly took the wrong tunic to work yesterday. Squeezed into it but couldn't breathe and so uncomfortable. Had to beg for a maternity dress then do an emergency trip to shop to get tights. Not good as nurse and we where really busy. I've learnt my lesson and now have 2 shapeless maternity dresses to use. Unfortunately another late shift today to face aaarrrggghhhh. Hope to work till 36 weeks but if yesterday anything to go by will struggle. Really busy and didn't sit down all shift. Xx

If you're interested in reusable nappies, see if you have a nappy library in your area. IIRC, ours is £25 for a 6 month newborn sized supply where you can swap and try different sorts as often as you want. Then at around 6months they expect you to have chosen your preferred type to buy your own (in bigger baby size).

Love this:
www.madeformums.com/news-and-gossip/the-bump-photo-that-proves-all-women-carry-differently/41045.html

Lucia is it absolutely crucial you go on that journey. That's a long time even broken up for a baby to be in a car. I wouldn't buy the thing you describe (never heard of it before) but I would keep regular breaks and put baby in carrycot when on the break.

I won't be using reusable nappies. I know it's better on the environment but with 4 children I need to make life easier not more difficult. I will have lots of washing as it is

Gnat a tummy bug when pregnant must be horrendous. Really hope you feel back to normal soon.

Kaytee the spring/summers I had ds2 May 2006 & ds3 may 2013 it was really warm. I hardly used cardigans but obviously if you are out anywhere on a cooler evening or a cooler day then a cardigan comes in handy. I always had one spare in the change bag. So I would say you will use them.

Fab link about the bumps what an amazing difference.

I feel like time is going fast now.

22+5

Beautician - fab lists. I heartily concur with your inventory and advice about wash in non bio before use! Accessories that are also useful are: sunhats (snug so they stay on), socks, no shoes, baby blanket as a warmer/thicker multipurpose layer for resting on during picnics/night times etc. most things are cotton which is breathable and a non irritant so hopefully it's easy to avoid synthetic materials.

Went to Gap Outlet today for Ted..they really do have some nice stuff!

PS agree Next is great, as is H&M / M&S / Mothercare and John Lewis for basics and Zara for baby girls...

Gnat - was exactly the same as you re second hand stuff which I think is a really good idea. I filtered the bags and bags of stuff based on what I needed but also the style of things too. Didn't realize quite how much I wanted him to look 'good' in my humble sartorial opinion, so chucked/gave to charity a lot of clothes that I knew he'd never wear.

Now it's odd because I'm filtering again based on what could feasibly be worn from his old stuff by a girl...

I've heard very good things about the Cheeky Wipes by the way though like beautician the faff for me outweighs the environmental benefits.

lucia - the car journey does sound long but if it's vital i would just make sure you break it up every 2 hours and get baby out of the same position if they're awake. i took ted down to cornwall at 7 weeks which was a five hour drive and he slept very happily for about 3.5 - 4 hours of it...think as long as it's not your weekly reality you should be fine but i wouldn't fork out for a specialist piece of kit.

Great tips ladies, I've taken pics of them. I've got one sleep suit so far and that's it!

Thanks for the tips Ellizardo, Beautician everyone else too. It's difficult to know exactly what's worth buying. What would I do without you all?!

Yes, ladies with experience lets turn its on its head - I'm asking what NOT to buy???

There are so many gimmicks, what should I avoid?!